Mindfulness Meditation · Awaken
This week’s meditation session is led by Lama Aria Drolma and the theme is Awaken. The guided meditation begins at 15:27.
Green Tara; Central Tibet; 14th century; Gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2003.11.1
Tara is a completely enlightened buddha, who has promised to appear in the future in the form of a female bodhisattva and deity for the benefit of all beings. Tara typically appears in the form of a radiant young woman. The green form of Tara is known for bestowing protection from the Eight Fears. She helps us to overcome internal and external states of turmoil.
Tara is beloved in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Tara’s 10-syllable mantra, Om tare tuttare ture tvaha, is memorized and recited by Tibetans from early childhood. Reciting this mantra with devotion strengthens our connection to Tara, bestows us with protection, and helps us accrue merit.
This sculpture is a remarkable example of the early Tibetan aesthetic, with a South Asian influence evidenced by the composition and the elegant sway of the figure. The presence of the blue lily (utpala) in the figure’s left hand identifies this as the green form of Tara.
Green Tara guides us on the path to awakening through her compassionate action and willingness to embrace all beings without judgment.
Lama Aria Drolma is an ordained Buddhist teacher in the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, who has completed over a decade of monastic study and meditation training. She is a graduate of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist retreat program spanning three years and three months, an advanced cloistered meditation training program at Palpung Thubten Choling Monastery, New York.
Lama teaches worldwide, leading retreats, workshops, and corporate meditation programs and is a popular guest speaker at universities and organizations. She emphasizes Vajrayana Buddhism and Buddhist principles, making them relevant in our everyday lives, helping us to cultivate loving kindness and compassion, and bringing about a transformation of contentment and a genuine sense of well-being.
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