Mindfulness Meditation · Openness
This week’s meditation session is led by Lavina Shamdasani and the theme is Openness. The guided meditation begins at 13:53.
Skull Cup; Nepal; ca. 18th century; Metalwork and human skull; 7 1/4 × 5 1/2 × 8 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2004.8.1a-b
The skull cup is a tantric ritual object, which revered figures such Padmasambhava or Milarepa are often portrayed holding. The skull signifies the empty nature of all things, including the self. The skull is often paired with a flaying knife in images of tantric deities such as Vajrayogini. Both implements are meant to focus the practitioner’s mind, with the underlying goal of removing any false notions of the ego.
Lavina Shamdasani is a certified compassion teacher through the Compassion Institute and Stanford University. She has taught programs focused on mindfulness, compassion, joy, and gratitude and led book club discussions and meditations for over five years.
Lavina studied positive psychology coaching at the Wholebeing Institute and helps clients transform their lives and meet their personal and professional goals.
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