Mindfulness Meditation · Compassion
This week’s meditation session is led by Elaine Retholtz and the theme is Compassion. The guided meditation begins at 11:04.
Ushnishavijaya; Tibet; 18th century; Ground mineral pigment on cotton; 50 3/8 x 38 1/8 x 2 1/4 in. (128 x 96.8 x 5.7 cm); Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.507
The deity Ushnishavijaya, whose name means “victorious crown ornament,” is a goddess of long life. She also removes obstacles, promotes well-being, and ensures environmental stability. Ushnishavijaya, seated within a stupa, is the central focus of the painting. She bears a variety of auspicious objects in her eight hands, including a white lotus, a vajra lasso, a bow, an arrow, and a vase filled with the nectar of immortality. Her hand gestures convey supreme generosity, protection, and meditative balance.
This painting was commissioned by a family to commemorate the death of a relative. At the bottom center of the painting is the depiction of the deceased individual. The small figure, wearing white, is shown seated on a lotus, indicating that his relatives hope that the merit generated by the painting will help him to be reborn into the pure realm of a buddha.
Elaine Retholtz has been studying and practicing the Dharma since 1988. In addition to teaching dharma at New York Insight, she is a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher and a certified MBSR teacher trainer. She is deeply interested in helping students integrate mindfulness into daily life. Elaine is committed to deepening her own understanding of issues of diversity and the way racial conditioning in the United States affects all of us—both as individuals and in relation to the institutions we are a part of, including New York Insight. She’s been involved in New York Insight’s diversity efforts for many years.
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