Mindfulness Meditation · Intention
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Intention. The guided meditation begins at 14:30.
Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahisasuramardini); Nepal; 12th-13th century; Gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.11
This sculpture represents the personification of female energy in full fury—skillful, composed, and deadly. The goddess Durga is the warrior form of Sri Devi, and here she is in the act of subduing the demi-god Mahisa, who has disguised himself as a mighty buffalo. Durga is the goddess of the homesteaders, the village people in conflict with the cattle ranchers who would keep the land open for grazing. The great goddess represents represents the Cosmic Law against those who would seek to undermine it.
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.
Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work.