Mindfulness Meditation · Awakening
This week’s meditation session is led by Kimberly Brown and the theme is Awakening. The guided meditation begins at 12:17.
Lords of the Charnel Ground, Smashana Adipati; Tibet; 18th century; Painted terracotta; Object size: 6 1/2 x 5 1/8 x 1 1/2 inObject w/ Base/Mount #1 size: 6 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 1 1/4 in. Base/Mount #1 size: 6 3/8 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/4 in.; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2002.36.1
Here we see two skeleton lords of the charnel ground, brother and sister, animated by ecstatic dance and laughter, their festive demeanor expressing the joy of being free from attachment. The male and female figures are interdependent here, illustrating the interplay of masculine and feminine in all beings. The male sports a garland of freshly severed heads and holds a skeleton club and a skull bowl. In contrast, the female wears a garland of dried skulls and holds a staff and a golden vase. These skeleton lords support the practice of the deity Chakrasamvara and are revered as powerful protectors.
Kimberly Brown is a meditation teacher and author. She leads classes and retreats that emphasize the power of compassion and kindness meditation to reconnect us to ourselves and others. She studies in both the Tibetan and Insight schools of Buddhism and is a certified mindfulness instructor. Her latest book is Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connection with Your Partner, Family, and Friends. You can learn more about Kimberly at meditationwithheart.com.
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