Mindfulness Meditation · Interconnectedness
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Interconnectedness. The guided meditation begins at 15:04.
Vajradhara with Eighty-Five Great Adepts (Mahasiddhas); Western Tibet; 15th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; F1998.17.3
An elaborately crowned Vajradhara, primordial guru of Tantric lineages, sits in the center of the composition surrounded by the 85 great tantric adepts (mahasiddha), the exemplary practitioners of those teachings. Each of these adepts is engaged in a different activity and is identified by an inscription, following the verse eulogy attributed to the Indian master Vajrasana (about 1,100). An interesting feature of this painting is the large number of adepts shown in strenuous yogic poses. Vajradhara is seated on an elaborate throne with wide pillars and adorned with multicolored scrolling sea monster (makara) tails. Such features identify it as art of the ancient kingdom of Guge in western Tibet.
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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