Mindfulness Meditation · Empowerment
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Empowerment. The guided meditation begins at 15:25.
Protector Begtse Chen; Mongolia; late 18th - early 19th century; Gilt copper alloy with pigments; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.12.3
One of the main protector figures of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism, Begtse is distinguished by his “coat of mail,” which is wonderfully portrayed in this sculpture, stretching over the vast expanse of his corpulent torso. He brandishes a flaming sword in his right hand and the fresh heart of an enemy in his left hand. Though these seem to be fearsome objects, they all symbolize the defeat of ego-centered conceptions and the empowerment of individuals.
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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