Mindfulness Meditation Podcast - Mindfulness Meditation with Lama Aria Drolma

Episode Date: January 16, 2026

The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art presents a weekly meditation for beginners and skilled meditators alike. Each episode is inspired by a different work of art from the Museum’s collection and is led by a prominent meditation teacher.The episode begins with an opening talk followed by a 20-minute meditation. In this episode, the guided meditation begins at 7:30.Teacher:  Lama Aria Drolma Theme: New BeginningsMaitreya, Buddha of the Future; Mongolia; 19th century; gilt copper alloy with pigment; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2006.25.1a-b

Welcome to the Mindfulness Meditation Podcast, presented by the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, a global museum dedicated to bringing greater awareness and understanding of Himalayan art to people around the world. I'm your host, Tashi Children. Every week, we offer a meditation session that draws inspiration from an artwork from the Rubin's collection and is led by a prominent meditation teacher. You can find more information about the related artwork in the episode description. Our Mindfulness Meditation Podcast is presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and teachers from the New York Insight Meditation Center, the Interdependence Project, and supported by the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism. And now, please enjoy your practice.

Pashidelik. Welcome to the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Arts Mindfulness meditation program. I am Tashi Chardon, Himalayan Programs and Communities Ambassador, and I'm delighted to be a host today. The Rubin is a global museum dedicated to presenting Himalayan art and its insights, and we're so glad to have all of you join us for our weekly program where we combine art and meditation. Inspired by our collection, we will first take a deep look at the work of art we've chosen for today. We will then hear a brief talk from our teacher Lama Aria Drolma and then we will have a short set 15 to 20 minutes for the meditation guided by her. Now let's take a look at today's theme and artwork. The theme for the month of January

is new beginnings and the artwork for today's session is this beautiful sculpture of Maitria Buddha of the future. Jetsun Chamba Gombo in Tibetan. Origin Mongolia dated 19th century. Medium is gilt copper alloy with pigments. This is about 10 into 3 into 1 quarter inches. Maitria is both the Buddha of the future and the bodhisattva of loving kindness. Maitria is associated with new beginnings in his role as the Buddha of the future. He represents our collective yearning for a harmonious world. It is prophesized that Maitria will usher in a golden age of peace and harmony. Maityria is said to currently reside in the Tushita heaven.

He will arrive on earth during an age when the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha have been largely forgotten and herald a new era of all sentient beings. Historically, Maitria held special meaning for many practitioners in Mongolia. His promise of a new age appealed to many who longed for the restoration of the Mongol Empire. Mytrea can be recognized by the stupa in his hair. This sculpture was modeled on a famous statue made by the exceptional Mongolian artist named Zanabazar. Zanabazar lived from 1635 until 1723. He was Mongolia's first incarnate Lama and leader of Mongolian Buddhism.

In fact, he was recognized by the Fifth Dalai Lama. The distinctive lotus throne and the ornate leaves are unique features of Zanabazar's style. Now let's bring on our teacher for today. Our teacher is Lama Aria Dolma. Lama Aria is an ordained Buddhist teacher in the Karma Khadjuk tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, who has completed over a decade of monastic study and meditation training. She emphasizes Vajriana Buddhism and Buddhist principles, making them relevant to our everyday lives,

helping us to cultivate loving kindness and compassion and bringing about a transformation of contentment and a genuine sense of well-being. Lama are here, thank you so much for being here. Hello and welcome everyone. I'm so delighted to be here and I want to thank Tashi for the introduction. Thank you, Tashi.

So as Tashi mentioned, this month, the artwork is My Tria Buddha of the future and the theme is new beginnings. So my Tria Buddha is the embodiment of the Buddha of the future symbolizing renewal, hope and the reawakening of compassion in the world. He is a reminder that awakening arises when wisdom and loving kindness are cultivated Speaking of new beginnings, many of you all may have heard about the group of Buddhist monks with their dog, Aloka, who have undertaken a remarkable walk for peace, which is a 2,300-mile journey by foot. It started in Fort Worth, Texas, and it's going to end in Washington, D.C.

and what this walk of peace symbolizes is that with each step, they embody the practice of compassion and mindful intentions to make every day a peaceful day. So as we speak, they are still walking. I guess the walk will end in February, mid-February, 2026. They're all over social media, and it's amazing. So the head monk, his name is venerable Biko Panakara, he offered a simple reminder, and this is something, I quote, this is something amazing, and he says,

don't worry about the world, worry about ourselves and our family first. each and every family can do the same. World will be at peace. Don't try to change anybody and don't try to change the world. While we are not able to change ourselves and our family, then there is no way we can change the world. So keep in mind, today is going to be my peaceful day

and be mindful with it. No one can bring peace and happiness to our lives except us. And this is so profound. And it is from the Buddhist thinking, it is from the Buddhist tradition that before you go out and change the world, one needs to change ourselves. And so with that intention in mind,

let us now turn inward. Let us remember that each breath is an opportunity to awaken the qualities of patience, loving kindness, that Maitria Buddha so perfectly embodies. Let us now gently settle into meditation. So when we start the meditation session, there are always two essential point. the essential point of the body and the essential point of the mind.

The essential point of the body is the posture, which is very important in the Buddhist tradition. So sit comfortably in a chair or a cushion with your back straight and hands resting on your lap, comfortably. and keep your attention and focus on your breath. So the first is the essential point is your body and the second essential point is your mind. So in your mind, keep your attention focused on your breath. And it's very simple. All you're doing is breathing in and breathing out at your own pace.

As you bring your attention to your breath, notice the natural rhythm of your breath, the inhalation and exhalation. So, let us now settle in comfortably with the upright posture and you can, you know, keep your feet parallel to the floor. So it's grounded. gently soften the gaze or close the eyes and as I mentioned also rest your hands on your lap and now put your mind's attention on your breath take one slow deep breath in and gently breathe out

settling the mind become aware simply the presence of the body the weight, the stillness, the quiet support beneath you. There's nothing to change. You're just breathing, inhaling and exhaling. Let's just continue to breathe. Now, you may notice, as you've taken a couple of breath,

your mind has wandered off to some topic. and if you catch yourself, your mind has wandered off, that's okay. Just label it as thinking, drop the thought, and then bring your mind's attention back to your breath. Inhale and exhale. And no matter how many times your mind wanders off, that's okay. You're not going to stop the thought. you're just going to label it as thinking and drop the thought and then bring your mind's attention back to your breath. So let's do for a few minutes of breathing. Thoughts will arise. That's the

nature of your mind. Memories, plans, judgments, they will come on their own. When they appear, when you catch yourself thinking, just very gently. recognize that your mind has wandered off, and with gentleness, again bring your mind's attention back to your breath. So this practice called shamata is the practice of returning again and again as when your mind wanders off.

This returning is the training, so it doesn't matter how many times your mind wanders. All you have to remember is catching that your mind has wandered, giving it a label thinking, dropping the storyline, and bringing your mind's attention back to your breath. So let's continue breathing for a couple more minutes. If you need to adjust your seed, if you need to cough or move, that's okay. The masters say our mind is like the space itself. And the thoughts are like birds.

They come, the birds fly, and go. And so, when thoughts arise which are like the birds, you just let it go. And this formal practice is so important because here you train your mind. you know how you can let those thoughts just drop those thoughts let's continue breathing

inhale and exhale breathe normally breathe naturally at your own pace and now as you breathe out visualize your breath filling the entire space in front of you and then rest your mind in that present moment of awareness

of consciousness. Again, focus your mind's attention on your breath, going in deeply to your abdomen, and then breathing out, and as you breathe out, just visualize your breath, filling the entire space in front of you, and just rest in that present moment of consciousness. When you're meditating,

there's nothing to figure out. There's nothing to achieve. achieve just resting in the present moment where you are aware of your consciousness. Continue breathing, inhale and exhale, and we'll continue for a few moments. Inhale and exhale, breathe normally at your own pace. And one of the masters also gave this wonderful example. Your mind is like space itself. And the clouds are your thoughts.

They come and go and let your thoughts come and go. And if you feel your mind is thinking, just drop that thought, let it go. And then again, your mind's attention to your breath. Just breathing in, breathing out. Your mind can't do two things at the same time.

So the minute you focus your mind's attention on your breath, the other thoughts will just disappear. Inhale and exhale, and as you exhale, just visualize your breath filling the entire space in front of you. And just rest your mind in that present moment. And we'll sit like this for a few more moments. And now we will do a short visualization. It is the beginning of the year.

And your thought is about new beginnings, the theme of the month. So let's visualize a beautiful white light right in front of you. and this white light is filled with loving kindness and unconditional love. Just visualize the light filling your body from your head all the way to your toes, to your fingertips, and just visualize you are filled with the energy of loving kindness and compassion. and every cell of your body is awakened and you are completely healed and you're receiving all the blessings

of the Bodhisattvas. The Bodhisattvas are like angels who just want us to benefit all the blessings and now from your heart centre let that light filled with loving kindness and compassion in a instant just go to the whole universe

and every sentient being is touched with that light and will rest for a moment with this contemplation and before you leave today let's bring to mind from the head monk the walking from peace, the monks who are walking, the head monk,

venerable Biko Panakara, let's bring to mind what he has quoted that I'm going to make this day a peaceful day and be mindful throughout the day. So thank you everyone for being here. and let's make this a peaceful day and every day from now wishing you all a very happy new year and may all the blessings be on your way.

Thank you, thank you everyone. Have a wonderful day. Thank you so much for that Lama Ariela and thank you all for joining. That concludes this week's practice. If you enjoyed this podcast or are a weekly listener, we invite you to support this series by donating and becoming a friend of the Rubin at Rubin Museum.org slash friends. The Rubin is a non-profit that relies on the generous support of donors like you to create meaningful experiences with Himalayan art around the world. If you are looking for more inspiring content, check out our other podcasts, Awaken, which uses art to explain.

the dynamic path to enlightenment and what it means to wake up, available wherever you listen to podcasts. And to learn more about the Rubin Museum's work around the world, sign up for our newsletter at RubinMuseum.org slash newsletter. Thank you for listening. Have a mindful day.