Mindfulness Meditation · Generosity
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Generosity. The guided meditation begins at 17:21.
Green Tara as Protectress from the Eight Fears; Tibet or Mongolia; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2012.4.7
The goddess Tara is accompanied by three figures of Gelug teachers, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Hayagriva. In the lower composition and surrounding the lotus seat of the central Tara are seven further Taras, all green and all identical in form to the central figure. As a group they represent the eight Taras Protecting from the Eight Fears. They represent protection from wrongful imprisonment, elephants, bandits, ghosts, water, snakes, fire, and lions. A depiction of each object of fear is found below each of the Tara forms.
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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