Five Keys to a Happier Life

Led by Tarika Lovegarden. Hosted by Stanford University Employee Wellness.

Wednesdays, July 23rd- August 20th, 2025 from 12:00-1:15pm online.

What does it really mean to be happy? While some people seek happiness in external factors, research has found that the true keys to happiness come from within. It does take some work on your part, but by making small adjustments in mindset and behavior, you can reap the rewards of a happier life.

In this five-week online class series, we will explore the factors that have been shown to increase levels of happiness. Each week will focus on one key to a happier life: gratitude, self-acceptance, generosity, connections, and loving-kindness. Through guided meditation, self-reflective worksheets, large and small group discussion, and learning videos, you will learn how to integrate these “happiness habits” into your daily life. As you discover how to shift your perspective of yourself, others, and life events, you will naturally feel better about your life.

Power of Presence Meditation

Led by Tarika Lovegarden @ Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa

Wednesday, August 6th from 6:30-7:30pm

If your mind tends to wander when you meditate or you struggle to find a sense of inner calm, this meditation is for you. Power of Presence Meditation teaches you practical principles for connecting to the present moment through your senses, making it easier to let go of worries about the future or regrets from the past. 

This step-by-step guided meditation, led by Tarika Lovegarden, removes the pressure of "quieting the mind" and helps you experience the transformative benefits of mindfulness with ease. You’ll discover how to tap into your true power by living fully in the here and now, without the need for rigid discipline. 

 In this session, Tarika shares key insights, common pitfalls, and valuable techniques to help you cultivate a lasting mindfulness practice. Learn how to access tranquility and draw from timeless wisdom in any moment, empowering you to live with greater peace, clarity, and presence. 

Perfect for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, this meditation offers a fresh perspective on mindfulness that is approachable, effective, and transformative.

Emotional Resilience Meditation

Led by Tarika Lovegarden @ Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa

Wednesday, Sept 3rd from 6:30-7:30pm

"Love and compassion are essential, not just luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive," reflects the Dalai Lama. In the face of adversity, it’s common to fall into negative thought patterns, anxiety, and stress, especially when facing situations beyond our control. Fortunately, meditation offers a powerful tool within our reach. Supported by research, meditation is proven to aid in stress reduction, emotional self-regulation, enhanced sleep, boosted immunity, and overall mental health and well-being.

This guided meditation session is designed to help you transform emotional reactivity, shift limiting mindsets, and foster a deep connection with your personal sanctuary of inner peace. Through enlightening techniques, you will learn to navigate daily challenges and respond to adversity using your inherent intelligence and strengths, cultivating a resilient approach to life.

Embracing Uncertainty:

Finding Peace Amidst Change

Led by Tarika Lovegarden @ Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa

Wednesday, October 1st from 6:30-7:30pm

In a world where change is the only constant, finding peace amidst uncertainty can be a transformative experience. 'Embracing Uncertainty: Finding Peace Amidst Change' is a guided meditation designed to help you cultivate a deep sense of trust and serenity, even when faced with the unknown. This session introduces techniques that allow you to stay centered and balanced, regardless of external circumstances.

Through mindful awareness and acceptance, you'll learn to navigate life’s fluctuations with grace and resilience. The meditation guides you through exercises that enhance your ability to perceive change not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth and renewal. By fostering a calm, accepting mindset, you will develop the strength to embrace uncertainty as a pathway to inner peace and personal empowerment.

Join us on this journey to transform fear and doubt into a confident, peaceful embrace of life’s ever-changing landscape.

Thankful Heart:

Opening to Joy & Fulfillment

Led by Tarika Lovegarden @ Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa

Wednesday, November 5th from 6:30-7:30pm

Discover the transformative power of gratitude with our guided meditation that teaches you to cherish each moment and enrich your relationships, ultimately elevating your overall life satisfaction. This session utilizes science-backed gratitude practices and meditation techniques designed to positively alter your perception of yourself, others, and your life circumstances.

These empowering practices dissolve feelings of inadequacy and help reveal hidden strengths you might have overlooked or never realized you possessed. By fostering gratitude, you not only learn to appreciate what you already have but also open yourself up to experiencing greater contentment and receiving even more blessings.

As you cultivate this profound virtue, you will stop postponing your happiness based on desires for change or underestimating your achievements. Instead, you'll find joy and fulfillment in the present moment. Join us to unlock new inner resources, celebrate life’s gifts, and embrace gratitude as your pathway to true joy and satisfaction.

Past Behind, Peace Ahead:

Letting Go and Moving on

Led by Tarika Lovegarden @ Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa

Wednesday, December 3rd from 6:30-7:30pm

Past Behind, Peace Ahead: Letting Go and Moving On Meditation is a transformative guided session that addresses one of our most profound challenges: letting go. This meditation targets the attachments, desires, and expectations we impose on ourselves and others, utilizing ancient mindfulness techniques to enhance our lives. Tarika Lovegarden has meticulously crafted this session to help you navigate through the veils of overwhelming or confusing emotional states, dissolve unnecessary suffering, and achieve tranquility.

Many of us carry the burden of grudges or emotional weights, brooding over situations that seem unfair or unresolved. While holding onto resentments might feel like a protective shield against further hurt, it often leaves us more vulnerable to repeating our past mistakes.

Clinging to the past can obscure our present reality, disconnecting us from our inherent intelligence and wisdom. This session invites you to shed these past burdens and embrace the present. Join us to liberate yourself from past entanglements and discover how living in the moment can lead to happiness and fulfillment.