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Mindfulness Meditation

With Kate Johnson

Wednesday, July 13, 2016
1:00 PM–1:45 PM

In the face of tragedy, self-care is not an indulgence, but a way to cope and prevent reaching mental and emotional limits. Mindfulness is an effective tool for managing stress, anxiety, and the overload of images on the news and social media. And by slowing our thoughts and actions, a mindfulness practice can help us examine our own implicit bias, grapple with profound difficulties, and take compassionate action for the health of our communities.

In response to the events of the past few weeks, Kate Johnson will lead a Mindfulness Meditation session focused on “Healing Ourselves, Healing Our World.” The 45-minute session will be followed by two optional facilitated discussions; Naima Johnson of Harriet’s Apothecary will offer a discussion circle for people of color, and Breaking White Silence will offer a discussion for white people on how to dismantle structural racism through their own personal practices every day. Resources for deeper learning and taking compassionate action will be provided.

The session will also be live-streamed on the Museum’s Facebook page.

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde

About 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

 Detail from Illuminated Manuscript depicting a Cosmic Man, Nepal, 18th century, Paper with ink and pigment, Closed: 7.25
Detail from Illuminated Manuscript depicting a Cosmic Man, Nepal, 18th century, Paper with ink and pigment, Closed: 7.25″ x 3.5″ x .5″ Opened: 122″ l. Collection of Arnold Lieberman
About the Speaker and Facilitators
 

 

 


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. She is working on a book about waking up to power and oppression as a spiritual practice, to be published by Parallax Press in fall 2017.

Breaking White Silence is an artivist action developed by Artists Interrupting Racism, a collective of white anti-racist artists. The organization invites passers-by in public spaces to talk with them about what it means to be white, and how white culture can serve to uphold structural racism ““ often without knowledge or consent.

Harriet’s Apothecary is an intergenerational, healing village led by the brilliance and wisdom of Black Cis Women, Queer and Trans healers, artists, health professionals, magicians, activists and ancestors. Founded by Harriet Tubman and Adaku Utah, Harriet’s Apothecary is committed to co-creating accessible, affordable, liberatory, all-body loving, all-gender honoring, community healing spaces that recognize, inspire, and deepen the healing genius of people who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of color as well as allies.

 

Tickets: $15

Free for members (registration required)

Become a member today!

Note: Late comers may not be admitted past 1:10 p.m., so as to not disrupt the session.

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