Mindfulness Meditation · Harmony
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Harmony. The guided meditation begins at 11:05.
The Demoness of Tibet; Tibet; Early 20th century; Pigments on cloth; 16 3/8 × 24 3/4 in. (estimated); Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2006.1.1
This map illustrates a popular Tibetan mytho-historical narrative. Tibet is represented by a collection of Buddhist monuments that were constructed in strategic locations to pin down and tame a demoness who interfered with the establishment of Buddhism in the seventh century. The demoness is set in a heavenly landscape with her supine figure stretched between cosmic mountain ranges. Lhasa and its central temple, the Jokhang, are positioned at the heart of the demoness, which actively establishes Lhasa as the heart and center of Tibet. This temple-founding narrative promotes political and social order concentrated in the capital of Lhasa and its major Buddhist institutions.
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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