Mindfulness Meditation · Generosity
This week’s meditation session is led by Kate Johnson and the theme is Generosity. The guided meditation begins at 11:40.
A parcel-gilt silver ritual ewer; Tibet or Mongolia; 19th century; Parcel-gilt silver; 11 1/8 × 6 3/4 × 4 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2011.11
Ewers like this one are used during daily offerings, initiation ceremonies, and other rituals. This ewer could have been used in a monastic setting or a lay household shrine. It is a good example of the exquisite silver metalwork with traditional Tibetan symbols and aesthetic elements found in ritual items from the region.
The central decorative motif on the belly of the vessel is a gilt dragon surrounded by Buddhism’s Eight Auspicious Symbols, also highlighted in gold. The spout emerges from the mouth of a water monster (makara). The base features the pattern of a stylized lotus, much like the bases of sculptures.
Kate Johnson works at the intersections of spiritual practice, social action, and creativity. She has been practicing Buddhist meditation in the Western Insight/Theravada tradition since her early twenties and is empowered to teach through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She holds a BFA in dance from the Alvin Ailey School/Fordham University, and MA in performance studies from NYU.
Kate is a core faculty member of MIT’s Presencing Institute, and has trained hundreds of leaders and change-makers in using Social Presencing Theater, a mindfulness and dance improvisation methodology used to inform strategic planning and systems change in our complex world.
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