Mindfulness Meditation · Impermanence
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Impermanence. The guided meditation begins at 14:20.
Manuscript Cover of a Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita); Tibet; 11th century; wood; courtesy of Beata and Michael McCormick
This book cover depicts the goddess Prajnaparamita surrounded by ten buddhas. She is the personification of The Perfection of Wisdom, an important work for the Mahayana Buddhist tradition that spells out the doctrine of emptiness. Though our experience seems to confirm that reality is stable, the doctrine of emptiness states that all phenomena are empty of inherent meaning, nothing exists by itself, and nothing is permanent. Once a being understands the impermanence of all things, they can relinquish attachments and become enlightened.
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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