Mindfulness Meditation · Beginning Again
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Beginning Again.
Damchen Garwai Nakpo; China; ca. 18th century; Gilt brass; 7 × 5 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (estimated); Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.65
The wrathful deity Damchen Garwai Nagpo is a native protector deity of Tibet. According to legend, when Buddhism was first introduced to the Himalayas, many of the native deities tried to prevent the foreign religion from coming into their domain. To subdue these deities, the great Indian Buddhist master Padmasambhava was invited by the Tibetan King Tri Songdetsen. Padmasambhava then defeated these gods, converted them, and made them swear to protect the Buddha’s teachings. Though Padmasambhava beat Damchen Garwai Nagpo, the wrathful god was able to begin again as a protector of Buddhism.
Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest book is Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World. She is a weekly columnist for On Being, a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and the author of several other books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, and Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Ms. Salzberg has been a regular participant in the Rubin’s many on-stage conversations and regards the Rubin as a supplemental office.
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