Mindfulness Meditation · Seeking Refuge
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Seeking Refuge. The guided meditation begins at 14:20.
Buddha Shakyamuni; Tibet; 15th century; Copper alloy with pigments; 12 1/8 × 9 3/8 × 7 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2001.13.3
This sculpture depicts Buddha Shakyamuni performing the earth-witness pose. Prior to his enlightenment, Siddhartha was challenged by Mara, the personification of doubt, who asked, “Who will witness your enlightenment?” Siddhartha touched the ground, saying the earth would be his witness. It’s at that moment that Siddhartha became a buddha, an awakened one. Buddhist practitioners take refuge in the Buddha, the dharma (his teachings), and the sangha (Buddhist community). Ultimately, practitioners must become a refuge for themselves and others as they participate in the community, embody the teachings, and finally become enlightened themselves.
Sharon Salzberg, Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest books are Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom and Finding Your Way: Meditations, Thoughts, and Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life. 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, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, 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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