
Jessica Zebrine Gray is a true Renaissance soul, with so many passions and interests. Her spiritual path has journeyed through Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, modern Paganism, Unitarian Universalism and samplings of various other spiritual paths. She has traveled the world seeking spirit, performing dramas in Hungary, Malawi and Venezuela, studying culture in Papua New Guinea, and dancing for peace in India, Nepal and Brazil.
Jessica connected to the dances of Tara in 1997 by reconnecting with a member of her family. She explains, “All my life I knew my mother’s sister was beautiful and exotic, a dancer in India and Hawaii, and completely out of reach. We had a photo of her in the hallway, and occasionally we got small cards or notes, but mostly she was a myth. Even her name, Prema Dasara, was unusual and mysterious. I felt a longing for a spiritual connection with someone from my family, from my roots, so I sent a heartfelt plea to a stranger’s E-mail, and through cyberspace I formed one of the deepest connections in my life.
Jessica connected to the dances of Tara in 1997 by reconnecting with a member of her family. She explains, “All my life I knew my mother’s sister was beautiful and exotic, a dancer in India and Hawaii, and completely out of reach. We had a photo of her in the hallway, and occasionally we got small cards or notes, but mostly she was a myth. Even her name, Prema Dasara, was unusual and mysterious. I felt a longing for a spiritual connection with someone from my family, from my roots, so I sent a heartfelt plea to a stranger’s E-mail, and through cyberspace I formed one of the deepest connections in my life.

The Tara Dance became a central part of her spiritual practice. She made a commitment to the Tara Dhatu Educational program and is now a third-level teacher of the dance. While in her masters’ program at Florida State, she wrote her masters’ thesis about the development of the dance and its intercultural implications. She has also undertaken a personal study and meditation of Tara and the Tarot and created the Tara Wisdom Cards (including full major and minor arcanas) used for meditation and divination.
Jessica journeyed on the pilgrimage to India and Nepal in 2001 and to Brasil for retreat in 2004. In 2002, she was offered a position on the Tara Dhatu council, on which she currently serves as Vice President.
Below is a video of her pilgrimage to India and Nepal in 2001, where she joined women from around the world in dancing for peace mere months after 9/11.
Jessica journeyed on the pilgrimage to India and Nepal in 2001 and to Brasil for retreat in 2004. In 2002, she was offered a position on the Tara Dhatu council, on which she currently serves as Vice President.
Below is a video of her pilgrimage to India and Nepal in 2001, where she joined women from around the world in dancing for peace mere months after 9/11.