Mindfulness Meditation · Feminine Power
This week’s meditation session is led by Kate Johnson and the theme is Feminine Power.
Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahisasuramardini); Nepal; 12th-13th century; Gilt copper alloy; 11 × 13 1/8 × 7 1/2 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.11
Durga represents the ultimate expression of feminine energy that animates all things in the universe. According to her story, a terrible demon set out to terrorize the world and could not be defeated by the gods. This sculpture depicts the final dramatic scene of the story, where Durga cuts of the head of a buffalo, the demon’s current form, pulling him out of the buffalo’s body. Durga holds a spear piercing the demon’s heart.
Kate Johnson works at the intersections of spiritual practice, social action, and creativity. She has been practicing Buddhist meditation in the Western Insight/Theravada tradition since her early twenties and is empowered to teach through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She holds a BFA in dance from the Alvin Ailey School/Fordham University, and MA in performance studies from NYU.
Kate is a core faculty member of MIT’s Presencing Institute, and has trained hundreds of leaders and change-makers in using Social Presencing Theater, a mindfulness and dance improvisation methodology used to inform strategic planning and systems change in our complex world.
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