Mindfulness Meditation

For centuries Himalayan practitioners have used meditation to quiet the mind, open the heart, calm the nervous system, and increase focus. Now Western scientists, business leaders, and the secular world have embraced meditation as a vital tool for brain health.

Whether you’re a beginner, a dabbler, or a skilled meditator seeking the company of others, join expert teachers in a forty-five-minute weekly program designed to fit into your lunch break. Each session will be inspired by a different work of art from the Rubin Museum’s collection and will include an opening talk, a twenty-minute sitting session, and a closing discussion. Chairs will be provided.

Presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and the Interdependence Project.

Related Artwork

Theme: Feminine Power

One of the finest examples of Nepalese craftsmanship, this sculpture of Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon is a jewel of the Rubin’s collection. According to her story, a terrible demon set out to terrorize the world and could not be defeated by the gods. This sculpture depicts the final dramatic scene of the story, where Durga cuts of the head of a buffalo, the demon’s current form, pulling him out of the Buffalo’s body. Durga holds a spear piercing the demons heart. Durga represents the ultimate expression of feminine energy that animates all things in the universe.

About the Speaker

Kate Johnson works at the intersections of spiritual practice, social action, and creative expression. She teaches mindful yoga in NYC public schools, teaches Buddhist meditation at the Interdependence Project, and facilitates an embodied approach to organizational and leadership development for social change agents and communities. Johnson holds a BFA in dance from the Alvin Ailey School/Fordham University and a MA in performance studies from NYU. She has trained at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, the Interdependence Project, Laughing Lotus Yoga, and the Presencing Institute.