Theme: Beginner’s Mind
Our featured artwork this week is a bronze sculpture of Buddha Shakyamuni dated to the 13th century from Tibet. Sitting with a calm face in full lotus pose, Buddha Shakyamuni calls the Earth to witness his enlightenment by touching the ground with his right hand. This gesture marks the beginning of Siddhartha’s perfected Buddha mind which fully understands wisdom and compassion. From here, the Buddha would start his most important mission: spreading what he had learned under the Bodhi tree to the rest of the world.
Image Credit: Buddha Shakyamuni; Tibet, 13th century; gilt copper alloy with pigment; Rubin Museum of Art, C2005.16.31 (HAR 65454)
Mindfulness Meditation Series
Himalayan practitioners have, for centuries, used meditation to quiet the mind, open the heart, calm the nervous system, and increase one’s ability to focus. Now, western scientists, business leaders, and the secular world have embraced meditation as a vital tool for brain health.Learn more
Presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and the New York Insight Meditation Center.
About the Speaker
Jon Aaron teaches at the New York Insight Meditation Center, and is the guiding teacher of the Makom Meditation Havurah program at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. He is a certified teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and has taught over 40 cycles of the seminal curriculum. He is a co-founding member of New York Mindfulness Meditation Collaborative. He has completed the Integrated Study and Practice Program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, as well as the Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care program with the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care and continues his studies in non-dual traditions with his primary teacher Matthew Flickstein. He is also certified in Somatic Experiencing.