For the first week of The Rubin Daily Offering, meditation teacher and author Sharon Salzberg and Head of Programs Dawn Eshelman take inspiration from the revered Tibetan Buddhist deity Tara, who works for the benefit of all beings through her many forms.
In this episode, Dawn Eshelman describes a vibrant thangka, or scroll painting, of Green Tara surrounded by her 21 expressions. Each of her forms is associated with a unique ability to protect and remove obstacles for humanity. Then Sharon Salzberg guides us through a grounding mindfulness practice to cultivate a sense of connection, leaving us with a parting message on spreading loving-kindness.
Green Tara; Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; 36 3/8 x 24 5/8 in. (92.4 x 62.5 cm); Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.521
Sharon Salzberg, Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest books are Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom and Finding Your Way: Meditations, Thoughts, and Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life. She is a weekly columnist for On Being, a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and the author of several other books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, and Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Ms. Salzberg has been a regular participant in the Rubin’s many on-stage conversations and regards the Rubin as a supplemental office.
Dawn Eshelman was formerly head of programs at the Rubin Museum.
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