Mindfulness Meditation · Offering
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Offering. The guided meditation begins at 12:41.
Incense Burner; Kham Province, Eastern Tibet (possibly Derge area); 15th century; Damascened iron; 5 1/4 × 3 1/8 × 3 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.67a-b
Incense burners, or censers, are used in all Buddhist cultures and denominations. The burning of incense takes place in both the home and temple, serving as an offering to the Buddha or various deities. This important ritual act is believed to clear the air of evil spirits and purify a space. Incense burners are usually placed on an altar with flowers and other offerings in front of the figure being venerated. Large incense containers are typically made of a metal such as bronze or copper and decorated with gilding or enamel details. The use of incense appears to date back to the beginning of human history. Incense is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha.
Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest book is Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World. She is a weekly columnist for On Being, a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and the author of several other books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, and Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Ms. Salzberg has been a regular participant in the Rubin’s many on-stage conversations and regards the Rubin as a supplemental office.
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