Mindfulness Meditation · Compassion
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Compassion. The guided meditation begins at 18:30.
Tara as Protectress from the Eight Fears; Eastern Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; F1997.17.7
Tara is the principal example of a female Buddha—someone who actually lived and achieved enlightenment. Tara was able to choose what form she would take when she attained enlightenment. She vowed to appear in female form in order to emphasize the importance of the feminine principle, particularly the wisdom to realize the true nature of reality, to other beings seeking enlightenment. Her name means “star,” but Buddhists prefer to use the term “saviouress.” Tara is both: If wandering travelers or merchants can find the North Star, they are saved from being lost. Revered in all schools of Himalayan and Central Asian Buddhism, Tara is second in popularity only to the All-Seeing Lord Avalokiteshvara, the patron deity of Tibet.
Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She was among the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 50 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of 14 books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Sharon’s podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed eight million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond.
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