Mindfulness Meditation · Wisdom
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Wisdom. The guided meditation begins at 14:52.
Lotus Mandala of Hevajra; Northeastern India; 12th century; Copper alloy; 12 3/8 × 7 5/8 × 6 5/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2003.10.2
Lotus mandalas count among the most fascinating objects of esoteric Buddhist art. These three-dimensional representations of deity palaces typically feature a deity at the center of the flower, which stands atop a tall stem, with the deity’s retinue placed on hinged petals around him or her. This sculpture’s mechanical hinges allow for the petals to close around the central deity, so the sculpture resembles a flower bud. Housing the deities in a lotus, a symbol of purity, serves as an ideal metaphor for the perfection of their palatial habitat as envisioned in meditative practice.
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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