Mindfulness Meditation · Serenity
This week’s meditation session is led by Lama Aria Drolma and the theme is Serenity. The guided meditation begins at 12:27.
Maitreya, the Future Buddha; Tibet; ca. second quarter of 15th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, gift of the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation; F1998.17.2
This painting is a remarkable example of 15th-century Tibetan art. The large stylized flowers and leaves are typical of this time period. The painting includes an extensive array of teachers, whose teaching lineage is featured in the Five Treatises of Maitreya. These commentaries on Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings are attributed to Maitreya.
Serenity permeates this painting through the poised grace of Maitreya. He sits in calm stillness emanating peace. Maitreya is both the buddha of the future and the bodhisattva of loving kindness, and represents our collective yearning for a harmonious world. Maitreya is depicted on his celestial throne radiating light, and is adorned with the princely jewels of a bodhisattva. When he assumes his future role as the next Buddha, he will be depicted in monk’s robes like Shakyamuni Buddha.
It is prophesied that Maitreya will usher in a golden age of peace and harmony. Maitreya is said to currently reside in the Tushita Heaven, and he will arrive on earth during an age when the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha have been largely forgotten, and herald a new era for all sentient beings.
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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