Mindfulness Meditation · Facing Chaos
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Facing Chaos. The guided meditation begins at 16:01.
Buddha Shakyamuni Defeating Mara; Eastern Tibet or Mongolia; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; 57 1/2 × 31 3/4 × 1 in.; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Purchased from the Collection of Navin Kumar, New York; C2004.28.5
There are many versions of the legend of Shakyamuni Buddha and the attack of Mara and his daughters. In one version, upon seeing Siddhartha seated under the bodhi tree in his firm resolve to become a buddha, Mara summons his forces to attack the prince. Mara’s ten-fold army consists of Lust, Aversion, Hunger, Thirst, Craving, Sloth and Torpor, Cowardice, Doubt, Hypocrisy and Stupidity, False Glory, and Conceit. Mara himself wields a thousand arms and rides on his elephant, Girimekhala. His followers are armed with deadly weapons and assume various frightening forms while joining the attack. Mara also has three daughters, Tanha, Arati, and Raga, who try to tempt the Buddha after his enlightenment.
Sharon Salzberg, Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest books are Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom and Finding Your Way: Meditations, Thoughts, and Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life. 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, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, 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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