Mindfulness Meditation · Perception
This week’s meditation session is led by Kate Johnson and the theme is Perception.
Vajrayogini; Tibet; 18th century; Brass and gilt copper alloy; 12 3/8 × 8 3/8 × 4 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.47
In this sculpture from the 18th century, the goddess Vajrayogini stands nearly naked in a dynamic warrior’s pose and tramples enemies of the Buddha’s teachings with her hand positioned as if she were drinking blood from a skull cup. While outwardly she appears as wild woman modeled after grieving widows in charnel grounds, many traditions of Himalayan Buddhism consider her the ultimate fully enlightened tantric buddha. Practitioners use her as a yidam during meditation, imagining themselves as Vajrayogini to gain her perfected wisdom and compassion.
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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