Mindfulness Meditation · Generosity
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Generosity. The guided meditation begins at 16:38.
A parcel-gilt silver ritual ewer; Tibet or Mongolia; 19th century; Parcel-gilt silver; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2011.11
Ewers like this one are used for pouring liquid offerings during initiation ceremonies and other rituals. This ewer could have been used in a monastic setting or a lay household shrine. It is a good example of the exquisite silver metalwork with traditional Tibetan symbols and aesthetic elements found in ritual items from the region.
The central decorative motif on the belly of the vessel is a gilt dragon surrounded by Buddhism’s Eight Auspicious Symbols, also highlighted in gold. The spout emerges from the mouth of a water monster (makara). The base features the pattern of a stylized lotus, much like the bases of sculptures.
Tracy Cochran has taught meditation and spiritual practice for many years. She is a speaker and author whose most recent book, Presence: The Art of Being At Home in Yourself, was published by Shambhala Publications in 2024. Tracy is the founder and leading teacher of the Hudson River Sangha and has taught mindfulness and mindful writing at New York Insight, the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, and many other venues. In addition to serving as the editorial director of the acclaimed spiritual quarterly Parabola, her writings have appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Psychology Today, The Best Spiritual Writing series, Parabola, and many other publications and anthologies. For more about Tracy, please visit tracycochran.org and parabola.org.
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