Rubin Museum Hosts Meditation Session Focused on Buddhist Stupas and Loving Future Theme

The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art is hosting a mindfulness meditation session led by Tracy Cochran with the theme "Loving Future." The guided meditation begins at 13:06. The session incorporates discussion of a 13th-century Tibetan stupa made of copper alloy from the museum's collection, which was donated by Shelley and Donald Rubin and carries the accession number C2006.66.635. Stupas are significant Buddhist structures that originated from ancient burial mounds and contain relics or objects connected to revered Buddhist figures. These monuments vary in size, with some being quite large. In Buddhist practice, circumambulating a stupa clockwise while chanting mantras is a common devotional act that shows respect for teachers, accumulates spiritual merit, and prepares the mind for teachings. The stupa's form is said to mirror the ushnisha on the Buddha's head, symbolizing the enlightened mind and the journey to enlightenment. Tracy Cochran is an experienced meditation instructor and author whose 2024 book "Presence: The Art of Being At Home in Yourself" was published by Shambhala Publications. She founded and leads the Hudson River Sangha and has taught at New York Insight and the Rubin Museum, among other places. Cochran also serves as editorial director for Parabola magazine and has contributed to publications like The New York Times and Psychology Today. The Rubin Museum, dedicated to Himalayan art and culture, holds a collection of nearly 4,000 items spanning over 1,500 years. The institution runs grant programs for artists and scholars, organizes global exhibitions, and provides educational resources.