About the Meditation
This week’s meditation session is led by Lavina Shamdasani and the theme is Self-Discovery.
The guided meditation begins at 12:50.
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 45-minute weekly program designed to fit into your lunch break. Each session is inspired by a different work of art from the Rubin Museum’s collection and includes an opening talk and a 20-minute meditation session.
RELATED ARTWORK
Dipamkara is known as the Buddha of the Previous Age. He is associated with the age prior to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, who lived 2,500 years ago. Dipamkara is credited with having predicted Shakyamuni’s future enlightenment.
Nepalese Buddhists consider Dipamkara the patron deity of merchants and alms giving. Dipamkara is widely revered in Nepal. His rituals were popularized in the 1600s.
This painting was made in Nepal and the Swayambhunath Stupa of Kathmandu is depicted above the central figure. We are able to precisely identify this painting by date. The inscription reveals that it was commissioned in 1853. The painting was most likely intended to be displayed in honor of a special alms-giving festival. May Dipamkara awaken the spirit of generosity in all of us.
About the Speaker
Lavina Shamdasani is a certified compassion teacher through the Compassion Institute and Stanford University. She has taught programs focused on mindfulness, compassion, joy, and gratitude and led book club discussions and meditations for over five years.
Lavina studied positive psychology coaching at the Wholebeing Institute and helps clients transform their lives and meet their personal and professional goals.
This program is presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and teachers from the New York Insight Meditation Center, the Interdependence Project, and Parabola Magazine and supported by the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism.
