ABOUT THE MEDITATION
This week’s meditation session is led by Swami Chidananda and the theme is Interconnectedness.
The episode begins with an opening talk followed by a 20-minute meditation. In this episode, the guided meditation begins at 15:50.
RELATED ARTWORK
The practice of rotating a prayer wheel is believed to originate with the Indian master Nagarjuna. In Tibetan Buddhist culture, those who are unable to read are instructed to spin a “wheel” filled with thousands of inscribed mantras, or mani, written on paper. It is believed that turning the wheel in a clockwise direction is the same as reciting the prayers and mantras, leading to the accumulation of merit and wisdom while purifying negative karma. Turning the wheel also releases the mantras into the world, benefitting countless beings.
This stationary prayer wheel would have been placed outside of a temple or shrine so visitors could turn it on their way in and out of the temple while circumambulating it. The rectangular panels that house the wheel are painted in the traditional Central Tibetan style and display teachers and deities of the Sakya Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The mantra of the deity of compassion Avalokiteshvara, Om Mani Padme Hum, decorates the posts of the structure in ornamental script.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Swami Chidananda is a spiritual educator and monk initiated in the Vedic Hari Bhakta lineage, holding the distinguished title of Swami.
Through the study of scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Swami has gained a deep understanding of the science of yoga and has devoted his life to helping others on their inner journey.
Before entering the spiritual path, he had a successful career as an investment banker and entrepreneur. Now, he uses his experiences to convey the ancient yoga systems in a relatable and accessible way for those seeking to reconcile Western and Eastern philosophies.
Additional information about Swami can be found by exploring his social media page on Instagram, @swami_chidananda, or by listening to his podcast, The Path of a Swami.
This program is presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and teachers from the New York Insight Meditation Center, the Interdependence Project, and Parabola Magazine and supported by the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism.
