Mindfulness Meditation · Seeking Refuge
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Seeking Refuge. The guided meditation begins at 14:20.
Nine-deity Hevajra Mandala; Central Tibet; 16th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2002.22.1
The tantric deity Hevajra stands in the middle of his mandala, a graphic representation of his palace, in union with his consort, Nairatmya. In order to use mandala visualization for meditation, a practitioner must be ritually initiated into the mandala, in effect taking refuge in the celestial abode of the deity. Once a part of the mandala, the practitioner can use it to transform themselves into an enlightened being, like Hevajra in the center. By becoming a buddha, the practitioner can then provide a refuge for other beings.
Tracy Cochran has taught meditation and spiritual practice for many years. She is a speaker and author whose most recent book, Presence: The Art of Being At Home in Yourself, was published by Shambhala Publications in 2024. Tracy is the founder and leading teacher of the Hudson River Sangha and has taught mindfulness and mindful writing at New York Insight, the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, and many other venues. In addition to serving as the editorial director of the acclaimed spiritual quarterly Parabola, her writings have appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Psychology Today, The Best Spiritual Writing series, Parabola, and many other publications and anthologies. For more about Tracy, please visit tracycochran.org and parabola.org.
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