Mindfulness Meditation · Impermanence
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Impermanence. The guided meditation begins at 14:20.
Ceremonial Conch Trumpet (Dung Kar); Tibet; 19th century (?); Conch shell and metal with gilding; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2011.4
This ceremonial conch is a symbol of purity due to its white color, as well as a symbol of wealth in the Himalayas. The conch is typically played to mark the beginning of a religious assembly. Its elaborate metal frame features a kirtimukha, or “face of glory,” depicting a fierce protector deity that is often found on Tibetan ritual items. When the sound of a conch shell dissipates, it serves to remind practitioners of the impermanence of all phenomena.
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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