Mindfulness Meditation · Story
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Story.
Padmasambhava in His Pure Realm, the Copper-Colored Mountain; Kham Province, Eastern Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; 37 1/2 x 24 in.; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; F1997.8.2
This painting depicts Padmasambhava in his abode, the Pure Land Copper-Colored Mountain. According to his story, before Padmasambhava went to Tibet he achieved the power of immortality. Upon arriving in Tibet, he subdued the indigenous spirits and converted the region to Buddhism. This subjugation of the local deities allowed Buddhism to flourish there. After he was done, he went to the Copper-Colored Mountain, where Tibetans believe he still lives today. This story demonstrates the strong connection they feel to Padmasambhava as a defining figure in their culture and identity, and hints that if needed Padmasambhava could return to the Himalayas again.
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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