Mindfulness Meditation · Suffering/End of Suffering
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Suffering/End of Suffering.
Tara Protecting from the Eight Fears; Kham Province, Eastern Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; 26 3/8 × 18 in. (estimated); Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; F1997.15.1
This painting is a lovely depiction of Tara as a protectress. She sits in the pose of royal ease with her right hand extended in the gesture of supreme gift giving. Though Tara bestows her benevolence on all beings, she is often portrayed specifically as a protector against the Eight Great Fears most often experienced by travelers. These fears include drowning, being attacked by lions, and being falsely imprisoned. Though these are real fears for travelers, they also represent psychological states that bring us suffering. For example, drowning represents attachment, while lions are associated with pride, and thieves represent greed. Through her protection, Tara aims to end the suffering of all beings in both their physical and mental states.
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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