Mindfulness Meditation · Tranquility
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Tranquility.
Indra; Nepal; Dated by inscription,1463; Gilt copper alloy with inset turquoise and semi-precious stones; 9 1/2 × 6 1/2 × 4 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.15
This sculpture of Indra, king of the gods, from Nepal is dated to the 15th century. He sits wearing a rounded crown with a swirling cloud motif on the brim. Another distinguishing feature is his horizontal third eye, as all other deities have vertical ones. He sits in an elegant pose emphasizing his regal status. Indra is from the Vedas, the oldest Hindu religious text. The Vedas emphasize performing rituals to maintain order resulting in tranquility.
Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest book is Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World. 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, 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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