Mindfulness Meditation · Discernment
This week’s meditation session is led by Lama Aria Drolma and the theme is Discernment. The guided meditation begins at 11:36.
Six-syllable Avalokiteshvara rescuing from the Eight Fears; Western Tibet; late 15th century - early 16th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2011.1
This painting portrays Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of boundless compassion, who has vowed to remain in the cycle of rebirth throughout time to work for the benefit of all beings. Practitioners visualize Avalokiteshvara aspiring to make their body, speech, and mind indistinguishable from his own thereby cultivating discernment.
Avalokiteshvara is depicted in many forms. Here Avalokiteshvara is shown with four arms and adorned with an elaborate crown and jewels. He is portrayed deep in contemplation, with a serene expression and seated in a lotus position.
The mantra om mani padme hum is associated with Avalokiteshvara and is one of the most recognizable mantras in the world. This mantra is recited with the intention of purifying one’s body, mind, and speech; embodying kindness, compassion, and love; unifying wisdom and method; and attaining Buddhahood.
In this painting, Avalokiteshvara bestows protection from the Eight Fears, which refer to both internal and external states of turmoil. When we develop discernment, we are able to recognize illusory fears. Our mind attains a state of ease and we are liberated from suffering.
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 Aria 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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