Meditation Online Exhibition

Explore and reflect upon the many practices, approaches to, and reasons for meditation through these meditation-related objects from the Asian Arts & Culture Center’s permanent art collection and more.

Students study objects on display during the Meditation Exhibition in the Asian Arts Gallery, Fall 2014.
Students study objects on display during the Meditation Exhibition in the Asian Arts Gallery, Sept. – Dec. 2014.

Meditation has been practiced in countless ways across history and cultures, so, it is impossible to define precisely. However, most practices involve training the mind for a specific purpose or as an end in itself. The reasons for and methods of meditating vary widely.  Some reasons include relaxing, clearing the mind, improving physical health, and cultivating energy, compassion, patience, or love. Some approaches involve sitting, walking, chanting, or simply observing one’s daily routines. Some processes involve silence; while others incorporate sound. Some utilize tools such as beads, visual maps, and texts; while others require nothing other than the meditators themselves.

You can explore the various practices of, approaches to, and reasons for meditation through the images in this exhibition.  Below are some suggestions for exploring meditation with the help of the images and on your own:

  • Look at the artwork.
  • Read the labels.
  • Look at the artwork and read the labels.
  • As you look through the images choose a “kindred object” in the exhibition that you like. Then spend a few silent moments with the object.
  • Take a moment to sit. Quietly, find something to focus your attention on. Observe your breath. Practice non-attachment by letting go of any thoughts that may arise.
  • Next, take a few moments and notice everything you can through your senses: What do you see from where you are sitting? What sounds are there—near and far? Any smell or taste sensations? How does the air feel on your skin? What do you feel your body experiencing as you sit?

Dhyana: Hindu Meditation

The purpose of Hindu meditation, known as dhyana, is conscious awareness of one’s mind and body for increased self-knowledge. An important component of classical yoga, the practice of dhyana involves retreating from daily distractions and focusing on a particular object or idea. Mind and body function in harmony. Dhyana assists with overcoming mental blocks, negative thinking, fear, stress and anxiety.

The story of the Churning of the Ocean in the Puranas, a series of ancient Hindu texts, describes gods and demons joining together to churn the ocean in order to extract the elixir of immortality. The ocean represents the mind which is subject to mental fluctuations.

Explore meditation-related Hindu objects from India

Chinese Scholar's Rocks

Scholar’s rocks (gōngshí) are small, naturally shaped rocks which vary in color, size, and weight, and held particular interest to Chinese scholars, elite civil servants who performed day-to-day governance from the Han Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. Scholar’s rocks are appreciated for the subtleties in their coloration, markings, surface, size, shape, and the resonating sound made when struck. Most scholar’s rocks have a hand-carved rosewood stand made specifically for the display of that rock. Chinese scholars brought the stones into their studios for meditation or contemplation prior to writing or painting. The care and expense taken to create a scroll painting of a scholar’s rock attests to the importance of these stones as a meditative vehicle.

Explore Chinese scholar's rocks

Buddhist Meditation

Various meditation techniques are integral to Buddhist practice for many purposes such as developing mindfulness, concentration, supernatural powers, tranquility, and insight. For some, meditation is a means toward achieving perfect mental health, equilibrium and tranquility. Practice helps to clear the mind of distractions in order to cultivate concentration, awareness, and nirvana. Some methods include observing the breath and the body. Other Buddhists, such as those belonging to some esoteric sects, chant mantras and contemplate mandalas to recognize their own Buddha nature.

Explore meditation-related Buddhist objects

Still want to know more? The Counseling Center offers many resources for Mindfulness and Meditation.

Counseling Center Resources
Aum symbol

Aum, often chanted in meditation, is the eternal, cosmic sound. It signifies the vibrating energy of the universe. The planets, the earth the animals and people are all part of this same energy.

The Asian Arts & Culture Center expresses its gratitude to Daniel Cannella, Theresa Esterlund, John Ford, and Tierney Gormley for their contributions to this exhibition.