Mindfulness Meditation · Gratitude
This week’s meditation session is led by Tracy Cochran and the theme is Gratitude. The guided meditation begins at 14:38.
Shadakshari Lokeshvara; Western Tibet; 15th century; Pigments on cloth; 19 7/8 x 16 7/8 x 2 1/4 in. (50.5 x 42.9 x 5.7 cm); Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of John C. Rezk; C2010.11
This is a portrait of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Avalokiteshvara is known to be the patron deity of Tibet. He appears in many forms, including peaceful and wrathful, with four or six arms, one thousand hands and eyes, and eleven heads.
Depicted here is Avalokiteshvara with four arms. In this relatively simple form, he is known as Shadakshari Lokeshvara. His elongated eyes, small defined chin, and narrow waist are characteristic features of Kashmiri-style painting in Tibet. The distinctive clothing of the patrons in the bottom-right corner, including uniquely striped pants and a white cape, help identify this painting as being from western Tibet.
This painting is relatively small in scale, as it was intended as a personal icon. Objects of devotion such as this one help practitioners to deepen their sense of gratitude.
Tracy Cochran has taught meditation and spiritual practice for many years. She is a speaker and author whose most recent book, Presence: The Art of Being At Home in Yourself, was published by Shambhala Publications in 2024. Tracy is the founder and leading teacher of the Hudson River Sangha and has taught mindfulness and mindful writing at New York Insight, the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, and many other venues. In addition to serving as the editorial director of the acclaimed spiritual quarterly Parabola, her writings have appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Psychology Today, The Best Spiritual Writing series, Parabola, and many other publications and anthologies. For more about Tracy, please visit tracycochran.org and parabola.org.
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