Mindfulness Meditation · Courage
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Courage.
Six-armed Mahakala; Mongolia; 18th century; Silver and gilt copper alloy with semiprecious stones; 18 3/4 × 14 1/2 × 7 1/2 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2006.70.1a-f
One of the most popular wrathful deities in the Himalayan Buddhist tradition, Mahakala, stands in a warrior pose on top of the beloved Hindu deity Ganesha. He has six arms, blazing orange hair, and skirt of severed heads. With his six arms he holds a skull cup, a curved kartika knife, a trident, a noose, a damaru, and a set of skull prayer beads.
A wrathful deity, Mahakala is meant to be a wisdom protector helping maintain the Buddha’s teachings. The violent imagery used in this particular piece is a symbol for aggressively attacking one’s ego and the courage needed to undertake spiritual practice.
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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