Mindfulness Meditation · No Mud, No Lotus
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is No Mud, No Lotus.
Lotus Mandala of Hevajra; Northeastern India; 12th century; Copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2003.10.2
This intriguing 12th-century sculpture of a lotus flower from northeastern India opens and blooms revealing inside a mandala, or a deity’s heavenly abode. The lotus is a potent symbol in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Growing in ponds and rivers, the roots of the lotus flower extend deep into the mud. The stem of the flower rises from the muck and extends through murky dark waters. Yet once the stem reaches the surface of the water, it blooms into a beautiful flower. The lotus flower reminds us that beautiful things can arise from darkness, and though we may be stuck in the “mud” of common existence, we all have the potential to “bloom” into enlightenment.
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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