Mindfulness Meditation · Removing Obstacles
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Removing Obstacles.
Ganesha; Madhya Pradesh, India; 11th century; Sandstone; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2004.14.4
Much like in India, Ganesha is incredibly popular in Nepal with hundreds of shrines and temples devoted to him throughout villages and the cities. In the Kathmandu Valley, both Buddhists and Hindus worship Ganesha by offering him fruits, sweets, and flowers, particularly on days celebrating the union of his parents, the divine couple Shiva and Parvati. Holding a rosary, axe, radish, and bowl of sweets, he stands in warrior pose with a big, bulbous belly displaying his ability to remove obstacles from the lives of his followers.
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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