NYC Meditation Centers

Finding the right community in which to learn and practice meditation can be difficult. So, periodically, we invite our intrepid interns to visit various meditation centers in NYC and share their experiences. Often, they have little or no familiarity with meditation or mindfulness, so their reflections are representative of what newcomers might experience when going to these places.

In 2013, Ms. Susanna Johansson, a psychology student from Stockholm University, visited centers throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 2010, Ms. Alyssa Barba, a psychology student at SUNY Stonybrook, made the rounds. Theirmission? To participate mindfully in the meditation instruction provided and describe their experiences. Collectively, they attended meditation classes at the following centers:

Because most centers vary in their explicit incorporation of Buddhism, we have adopted a rating system to describe their orientation, ranging from

(Secular) to (Better know Tibetan!)

In addition, we described the clarity and extent of explicit meditation instruction, ranging from

(Self-guided) to(Personalized instruction)

Disclosure Statement:We dont receive any money, goods, or services in exchange for these reviews. They are provided here for the purpose of description, not evaluation. We recognize that different people want different things, so we have provided descriptions of what the sittings are like in order to help newcomers decide where to visit.

Review by Susanna Johansson

Attendance: There were 10 new practitioners that listened to the beginners instruction on Saturday morning. The more experienced participants were approximately 30 persons. The participants were seated on cushions in rows facing the walls or windows.

The Space: Brooklyn Zen Center is located in a large space divided in three rooms; a kitchen/community area, a library/office and a sitting hall. The three rooms represent the Buddhist concept of the sangha, the dharma and the Buddha, and are equally important on the path to enlightenment.

Structure and Content of Meditation: On Saturdays Brooklyn Zen Center welcomes beginners to meditation. The new-comers are introduced to the space and to Zen customs, such as how to bow when entering a room and how to fold hands and walk in the meditation hall. The introduction also includes a talk on posture and how to focus on the breath in meditation. In the Zen tradition meditation is practiced with eyes open to cherish the intention to stay in the present moment (it is also a way to avoid sleepiness during long meditation sessions). After the introductory session new-comers are invited to meditate together with the experienced participants. The meditation is held in silence with no guidance for about 40 minutes. The participants are encouraged to try to sit still for this time but are given a moment to adjust or change posture in the middle of the sitting if needed. After the sitting the participants recite prayers and chant together. A ritual of bows is conducted followed by a dharma talk. This Saturday the head dharma teacher and Zen Buddhist priest Teah Strozer talked about emptiness and form and how to understand these concepts as intertwined. Teah Strozer also talked about the illusion of the self as constant and encouraged the participants to let go of held beliefs about one self and embrace a changing perception of the self. The participants listen in quiet to the talk. The Saturday morning session ends by cleaning the space together in a Zen way. This means bringing awareness and mindfulness into everyday actions such as sweeping or dusting. Afterwards practitioners are invited to stay and enjoy a meal that has been mindfully prepared by Brooklyn Zen members (10 dollar donation is encouraged).

Background/Mission/Religiosity: Brooklyn Zen Center is a Soto Zen Community (founder Shunryu Suzuki) that offers a place to study Buddhist ethics and practice as well as a space for sitting together in meditation. Brooklyn Zen Center wishes to embody and carry on the compassion, wisdom and community of the Buddha. The Buddhist practice at the center is based upon the belief that all beings are Buddha. On Brooklyn Zen Centers website you can read about Zen center practice and customs and listen to recorded dharma talks.

Where/When: Beginners and new comers to the center are asked to join for an introductory zazen (meditation) instruction on one Saturday before coming to other sittings. After the introduction the center offers meditation on a regularly basis in mornings and evenings, see website for schedule.

Fees:Saturday sitting is drop-in based and registration is not needed. The fee is by donation. 10 dollars is recommended. An additional 10 dollars is encouraged if the participant stays for lunch at the Center.

Ratings:

Overall:Brooklyn Zen Center offers a supportive community of dedicated practitioners that wish to deepen their meditation practice and learn more about the teachings of Buddha. The meditation is held in silence but outside the sitting room practitioners may speak to teachers to receive further guidance.

Website: http://www.brooklynzen.org

Class/Date: Saturday morning session, 9.00 am- 12.30 pm, 3/30/13.

322 8thAve, Suite 502 (Enter @ 26thStreet), Manhattan

Review by Alyssa Barba

Attendance: The daily lunchtime meditation classes are small and personal. The two other attendees present were young adults.

The Space:The space is influenced by Buddhism. It is a large, well lit, white room containing several religious statues of Buddha. Although the statues are present, it is not a space that should be to overwhelming for persons of other religious backgrounds.

Structure and Content of Meditation:The whole 45 minute lunchtime session is spent on the actual practice of mediation. Practitioners have the option of open or closed eyed meditation. During the session the teacher often speaks softly in order to subtly guide the meditation.

Background/Mission/Religiosity:This center is a Buddhist Center of the New Kadampa Tradition. The New Kadampa Tradition is a Western Buddhist order based on the teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gelug school is one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It has spread to many countries through the work of Buddhist monk Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The academic degree title Geshe translates to spiritual friend.

Where/When:Lunchtime meditation sessions are held Monday through Thursday from 12:00-12:45 pm. Other classes such as day retreats, Dharma talks and chanted prayer sessions are also offered throughout the month. The classes are based in New York Citys Chelsea at 322 8thAve, Suite 502. See website for details about other classes and branch locations.

Fees:Lunchtime meditation works on a drop-in basis. It is $5 per class and free for cardholding members. A membership at the center costs $80 per month with a time commitment of one year. A membership includes access to basically everything going on in the center for that month including events, dharma talks and special classes.

Ratings:

Overall:Overall, Id say that lunchtime meditation at this center is best suited for those who have practiced meditation before and are interested in sitting for the whole session. Practice is more of a priority in this class than instruction.

Website:Chakrasambara NYC(Facebook Page)

Teacher/Class/Date:Grace Glebowska,Monday Lunchtime Meditation, June 2010

302 Bowery, 3rd Floor, Manhattan

Review by Alyssa Barba

Attendance:The weekly Tuesday Night Meditation + Dharma gathering was swarming with over 60 ambitious attendees. Most of the attendants that were present were youthful.

The Space:Dharma Punx holds its meditation classes in the same neutral yoga studio as the Interdependence Project. The space is a large room with wood floors.

Structure and Content of Meditation:Tuesday Night Meditation at Dharma Punx is a drop-in class that lasts for about an hour and a half. The first 30 minutes of the session consisted of a guided meditation led by Josh Korda. Following the meditation practice, Josh deeply engaged the class into a Dharma talk with his vibrant and youthful spirit. During the Dharma talk we discussed many psychological concepts relatable to our 21stcentury modern society such as the arising of conflicts in our daily lives. The Dharma talk portion at Dharma Punx is great for anyone who is seeking advice into the nature of their problems. By the end of the talk I felt as though I had just left a donation based session with a therapist or an Intro to psych class where tuition was generously based on contributions. Josh showed his knowledge of Buddhism by reveling in Buddhist parables. He also showed his knowledge of Psychology by making references to Mary Ainsworth when discussing the psychological concepts of secure attachments. After the Dharma talk there was a question and answer portion of the class where students could ask any questions related or unrelated to the talk. The class concluded with a final meditation of about 5 minutes.

Background/Mission/Religiosity:The background and foundation of Dharma Punx gears itself to a youthful environment fueled by dissatisfaction with the material based culture we live in. Dharma Punx describe themselves as a community of alternative Buddhist meditation practitioners who work to infuse the Buddhas teachings with the ideology of punk rock. The community was started by author Noah Levine and is based on the Theravaden tradition of Buddhism which was founded in India and is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. Noahs book Dharma Punx has received a lot of positive attention. Noah seems to be another innovator of Buddhism in the West and I am excited to see where his journey takes him and those who follow him and his teachings.

Where/When:Dharma Punx offers drop-in classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The Tuesday night class that was discussed in this review goes from 7:00-8:30ish. The Thursday night class goes from 7:00-8:00 and consists of 40 minutes of meditation with a short sharing session afterwards. There is no dharma teaching on Thursday nights. Classes are ongoing and are located at the Lila Wellness Center in New York Citys East Village (302 Bowery, 3rdFloor).

Fees:Classes at Dharma Punx are donation based.

Ratings:

Overall:Overall I really enjoyed the sangha at Dharma Punx. The outstanding number of attendees present at the class proves the community is highly efficient in their teaching and overall presence. I think Dharma Punx is a great response to the yearning for Buddhism in the west.

Website/Facebook Page:Dharma Punx(Facebook)

Teacher/Class/Date:Josh Korda,Tuesday Night Meditation,8/24/10

500 State Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Review by Susanna Johansson

Attendance: Beginners are welcome to the Sunday Meditation Session before entering other meditations at the Zen center. There are about 15 new-comers this Sunday and 40 experienced practitioners.

The Space: The meditation is held in a beautiful house in Brooklyn. The house functions as a monastery and a temple where both lay practitioners and advanced practitioners can share practice. The rooms have Buddha statues and the practitioners are seated in chairs or cushions.

Structure and Content of Meditation: The Sunday session recommended for beginners are 3 hours long. The session starts with chanting prayers together. We are told that the function of the chanting, bowing and praying is not to worship Buddha but rather to celebrate the identity and unity of Buddha and all humans. The chanting is followed by an introduction held for the beginners. The teacher talks about the concept of Zen Meditation and lets us try different seating postures, finding the one that suits us. Zen Meditation (called Zazen) is practiced with open eyes and lowered gaze, stillness is emphasized and participants are asked to not move during meditation. This is to relearn our habitual response to instantly move to avoid pain and difficulties. The beginners are invited to a short walking meditation and then a 30-minute, silent (without guidance) seated meditation. Afterwards beginners and more experienced practitioners listen to a one hour long Dharma talk held by one of the monks. The talk this Sunday is about searching for spiritual qualities in life and finding the path to enlightenment. The talk is also about looking truly to the essence of things being and all things interdependence. The talk is quite abstract and difficult to understand as a beginner, but the teacher uses stories and metaphors that make it a little bit easier. Questions about meditation are welcomed after the Dharma talk when also some refreshments are offered.

Background/Mission/Religiosity: The Zen Center of New York, Fire Lotus temple, is a branch of the Zen Mountain Monastery. The order was founded in 1980 to be an organization of practice centers and sitting groups in the US and abroad. The Center offers residential Buddhist training in the midst of Brooklyn. The residential are engaged in a schedule of liturgy, meditation and community work, making all daily activities a part of awareness training. The Zen Center often offers retreats outside of the city.

Where/When:Sunday morning session 9.30 am-12.30 pm is open for beginners. When you have joined one Sunday morning session you are welcome to the Zen Centers other sittings that are held everyday mornings and evenings (please look at website for schedule).

Fees: The sitting is drop-in and registration is not needed. The fee is by donation, 5 dollars is recommended as a minimum.

Ratings:

Overall:The Zen Center offers an opportunity to be a part of a community of dedicated Buddhist meditation practitioners where one can earn a lot about the Buddha teaching and deepen ones practice. The instruction of seating postures was very exact and helpful although there where no guidance during meditation which some beginners might find difficult.

Website: http://www.mro.org/firelotus/

Class/Date: Sunday morning sitting 9:30 am-12.30 pm, 3/17/13

302 Bowery, 3rdFloor, Manhattan, NY

Review by Susanna Johansson

Attendance: There were approximately 10 participants at the Sunday sitting. The instructor said that this were fewer than usually attend. The attendees were seated on cushions in a wide circle formation. There are chairs available if needed.

The Space: The interdependence project share space with a yoga studio and Dharma Punx (another meditation center). The space is light and has varied pictures of Buddha but also secular decorations.

Structure and Content of Meditation: The instructor emphasized that the practitioners should take time to introduce themselves and to get to know each other. The Sunday session at the Interdependence project is intended to teach the basics of meditation. The instructor started with guiding us into our meditation posture with our eyes open and with a comfortable and straight spine. The instructor invited us to lay down and participate in a guided body scan to settle into our bodies and relaxing. The body scan was about focusing our attention to different body parts and letting go of tensions there. After the body scan we where invited to an awareness of breath meditation for 10 minutes. The participants should focus on the natural feeling of their breath and gently lead wandering minds back to the breath. The meditation was held in silence. Afterwards, the participants shared their experiences of the meditation and asked questions in order to get further guidance from the instructor. The session ended with a talk about what is precious in our lives. Participants identified specific areas of values in their lives, which facilitated a dialogue between the instructor and learners.

Background/Mission/Religiosity: The Interdependence Project is a secular Buddhist center, which means offering Buddhist teachings and practices that are free from rituals that are included in more traditional Buddhist practices. The Interdependence Project wants to bridge the gap between the individuals personal development and the collective engagement in the world/community through combining mindfulness with outreach programs, ecology, activism and arts. The Interdependence Project offers both drop in meditation and weekly classes and study groups.

Where/When: Introduction to Meditation Beginners Mind is held every Sunday at 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

Fees:Sunday sittings are drop-in and registration is not needed. The fee is by donation, 5- 10 dollars are recommended.

Ratings:

Overall: The Interdependence project offers a space where to practice secular Buddhism. Participants are encouraged to get to know each other, ask questions, share and contribute to the sessions with their experiences. The practice is well instructed and suitable for beginners.

Website: http://www.theidproject.org/

Class/Date: The Sunday session's Introduction to Meditation Beginners Mind, 3/31/13, 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

Review by Alyssa Barba

Attendance:The Introduction to Meditation class consisted primarily of people who were new to meditation. The class is small and personal. The majority present are young adults.

The Space:The space is a very neutral yoga studio. It is a large space with wood floors.

Structure and Content of Meditation:The whole hour and 15 minute Intro to Meditation session was broken down equally between a teaching portion and the actual meditating practice. Ellen Scordato the instructor was awesome! She gave us each individual attention and was excited to answer any questions that the class had. We would meditate in progressions from 5 to 10 minutes. In-between we took short breaks to discuss what we experienced and how we felt. One specific teaching that stuck out to me was a technique specific for beginners with wandering minds. Ellen taught that by mindfully counting from 1 to 10 we can tame our wandering minds. While meditating, if we notice that we have counted beyond 10, it is a subtle reminder that we have lost focus. Practitioners have the option of open or closed eyed meditation.

Background/Mission/Religiosity:The Interdependence Project (I.D. Project, a.k.a. IDP) is an educational non-profit organization started by Shambhala Buddhist teacher Ethan Nichtern who has proven to be an incredibly intelligent innovator of Buddhism in the west. The I.D. Project provides asangha(community) to anyone interested in practicing meditation as a way of dealing with our complex 21stcentury lives. The communitys mission includes committing to the practice of sitting meditation, mindfulness, loving kindness, building a compassionate community and participating in responsible consumption. IDP is based on informal meditation and nonsectarian Buddhist teachings.

Where/When:IDP offers several different classes and events to get involved with throughout each month. Buddhist Studies and Meditation Classes (a.k.a.DharmaTalks) are offered every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00-9:00pm & Saturdays from 4:30-6:30pm. These classes consist of both Dharma teachings and meditation. The Intro to Meditation class discussed in this review is offered every Sunday from 3:00-4:15pm. Unguided Open Sitting & Walking Meditation is also offered every Monday from 6:00-6:45pm and Saturday from 2:00-4:00pm. IDP usually has 2-4 guest lecturers per month. The classes are based in New York Citys East Village on the 3rdfloor of 302 Bowery. For entry, ring the middle buzzer. IDP has more groups in Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas. See the website for more details.

Fees:Classes at IDP run on a drop-in basis. The suggested donation for the Intro to Meditation class and Open Sitting and Walking Meditation class is $5. The Buddhist Studies Classes (a.k.a.DharmaTalks)which are grouped in series of different topicscost $10-15 per class depending on the class. See website for details about the topics of upcoming Buddhist Studies Classes.

IDP has several different levels of membership. A full membership is $25 month and $15 month for full-time students. A full membership includes 1/3 off most classes and retreats. It also includes free admission to salons, members events, select art workshops, and more! See the website for more details regarding the various types of memberships.

Ratings:

Overall:Overall I found the beginner meditation at IDP to be a perfect balance between teaching and actual meditation practice. It was also incredibly clear and fun! IDP is the perfect place to bring friends who might be new to meditation and are looking for asangha(community) to comfortably get started in. Also, IDP website offers useful blog posts and podcasts and is an awesome resource for those interested in studying the integration of Buddhism and Psychology.

Website/Facebook Page:The Interdependence Project(Facebook)

Teacher/Class/Date:Ellen Scordato,Sunday Intro to Meditation,7/11/10

(Disclosure: I (Jonathan Kaplan) have given talks at IDP, and I did not influence Alyssas review. I am, however, in agreement that IDP is a wonderful Buddhist community in NYC: why else would I be giving talks there?)

334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street, Manhattan, NYC

Review by Susanna Johansson

Attendance: There were about 10-15 practitioners seated on chairs in a circle formation. (Cushions are also available).

The Space: The meditation is held in a white painted oval room with a small window overlooking the rooftops on Upper West Side. There are no religious symbols present.

Structure and Content of Meditation: All teachers at MAKOM offer some kind of guidance, although the degree of the instructions varies. This Monday evening, we were invited to begin with focusing on their breath and relax their body. The teacher asked us to exhale and let go of difficulties, then inhale peace and tranquility. We were then encouraged to enter deeper into meditation and follow our own meditation path, observing arising thoughts and emotions. A couple of times during meditation, the teacher offered guidance to practice loving-kindness and gratitude in order to expand our hearts around difficult subjects.

Loving-kindness could be understood as to practice the ability to experience and feel friendliness and warmth to all beings on earth, starting with oneself. It can grow out of the knowledge that we are interdependent and more similar than different. Through understanding of this basic concept, we can be more compassionate and empathic towards oneself and others. After the meditation, there was time for questions and sharing experiences of the recent meditation. This evening, the participants discussed the degree to which the teachers instructions during the meditation were helpful or distracting. Most people in this group preferred to look at the instructions as suggestions that they may or may not follow.

Background/Mission/Religiosity: The Jewish Community Centers mission is to cultivate an inclusive and engaged community based on Jewish values. They embrace diversity and welcomes all. The JCC offers Jewish learning, arts programs, urban retreats and wellness activities. MAKOM is JCCs department of spirituality, mindfulness and meditation and welcome beginners and advanced participants that want to explore the self through meditation.

Where/When: Gently guided sitting meditation with time for Q&A is held every weekday morning 7:30 - 8:30 am and Monday- Thursday afternoons at 5:45 - 6:45 pm.

Fees:Sittings are drop-in and registration is not needed. Donation is encouraged.

Ratings:

Overall: The JCC MAKOM offers meditation on a regular day basis for those who want to make meditation a daily morning or evening habit. The meditation is gently guided and space is left for independent practice. The meditation focuses on awareness of breath, body, emotions and thoughts as well as the practice of loving-kindness. When I visited the MAKOM, the meditation was secular.

Website: http://www.jccmanhattan.org

Class/Date: Monday, 3/18/13, 5:45-6:45 pm.

505 Carroll St, between 3rd& 4thAves, Brooklyn, NY

Review by Alyssa Barba

Attendance:The weekly Monday Night Meditation Sitting was a full sized class (about 20 people) consisting mostly of attendees who appeared to be regulars at the Jewish Meditation Center.

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Urban Mindfulness - Reviews

Learn Vedic Meditation and access your full potential.

Vedic Meditation is simple, enjoyable and delivers positive change immediately. It allows your mind to quiet down and enables your body to get the deep rest required to release stress and stay healthy.

Anyone at any age can learn to meditate. Even if your mind is very busy you can easily learn to meditate and enjoy the benefits.

How to Learn

Step 1: Attend a free Introductory Talk

Step 2: Join the Basic Meditation Course

In this one-hour talk you will learn about a natural, effortless technique of meditation that brings about a unique state of restful alertness so within minutes the mind and body are resting more deeply than sleep.

All meditation courses take place in central Manhattan. Full address details will be sent with your confirmation.

Upcoming dates:

Wednesday October 21st, 7:00pm Tuesday December 1st, 7:00pm

Let us know which session you would like to attend. If you cant make the above dates, please sign up below and well let you know about future talks.

Continue reading here:
New York Meditation Center Learn Meditation

Mindfulness workshops start Tuesday,January11, 2016

The 8-week workshop is for good people, living good lives, who have got into a jam, just cant get rid of certain thoughts, however hard they try. All you lack is the proper tools. These mindfulness tools are for you.

You probably have lots of negative thinking. These toxic thoughts may have led to a lot of self-doubt, to a series of depressions, to an ongoing sense of depression, to generalized anxiety, or just a general sense of being adrift and out of control. The workshop teaches mindfulness skills combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques.

Participants learn how to

The next workshop meets:

Tuesday mornings, 10:00 am-12:15 pm, beginning January 11, 2016. 8-Week workshop. Pre-registration required.

Tuesday evenings, 6:30 8:45 pm, beginning Tuesday, January 11, 2016. 8-Week Workshop.

These workshopincludes the 8 weekly sessions of 2 1/4 hours each, a free 5-hour day of mindfulness, the workbook and 4 hours of guided meditations.

The Mindfulness Workshop meets in the Gramercy neighborhood, Park Avenue and 22nd Street in Manhattan.

In each class there is a guided meditation and extensive discussion with guidance from the teacher; much of the learning occurs during this discussion. there are no bad questions. Then there is a presentation of new skills, discussion, and explanation of how to do the home practices for the coming week. Each week there is an intention that participants do about 45 minutes of daily mindfulness activity.

To start registration, or to ask questions, please use the CONTACT form or call 917-202-5148.

The workshop includes instruction in mindfulness meditation practice, body awareness, group dialog and inquiry, and provides a 200+ page daily practice support workbook, and CD with 4 hours of guided meditations.

The workshop helps people reduce the power of negative thinking, helps people keep their moods more stable, helps people live more fulfilling lives. It does this by helping people learn to focus their attention onto present experience, without judgement. When noticing the present, they are not ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future and that in itself is of value.

Click here to request more information.

Mark Williams on stress and anxiety and how mindfulness can help.

Each week we meet for 2 1/4 hours, or a little longer. We typically start with a live, guided meditation, and discuss it immediately after it ends. Much learning occurs here, as there is no chance for the experience to get fuzzy from the passage of time, and plenty of time to explore the difficulties that come up. Next, we talk about the daily home practice from the previous week. Much is to learned by discussing any obstacles that have come up. Then new material is presented and discussed, and finally home practice for the coming week is reviewed.

Participants can attend a free Day of Mindfulness, held on a Saturday after the 5th session. Many report that this day helps solidify the mindfulness practices they have been learning. They also report experiencing routine existence in a new and vital way.

It is both new age, and scientifically validated. The workshop is based on the MBSR program created by Jon Kabat Zinn about 30 years ago. Ten years ago three world-renowned psychologists modified that, adding principles of cognitive-behavioral treatment to create Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). This workshop has been researched with control groups, and replicated, all successfully. It has been found to be as effective as anti-depressants in certain circumstances.

It is the basis for a lot of the most exciting and innovative treatments now being developed in psychotherapy. Donald Fleck has taught this workshop 26 times over 8 years. It is clear that it can bring greater energy, improved self-compassion, and relief from the turbulence of stress, emotions and negative thoughts

Want to know more about the teacher? Go here: Donalds training and experience.

Questions? Want to Register?

Call Donald Fleck 917- 202-5148

We will speak briefly by phone, to get an idea of how the workshop might help you. You will also have a chance to ask questions.

Or use theContactform.

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Mindfulness, Meditation and Psychotherapy in NYC

How to Meditate

Part I: How to establish a daily sitting practice

Before you sit As with all things, start where you are. You have everything you need right now. First, decide to sit each day. Next, plan the time, place and duration for your sitting meditation.

Choose a time Morning is often best because the mind is calmer than it is later in the day. However, the best time is the time that you can commit to on a regular basis. If one longer sit isnt possible, try two shorter ones.

Choose a space There is no perfect place. If possible, dedicate a space exclusively to your daily sitting. Choose a relatively quiet space where you can leave your cushion (or chair) so that it is always there to return to. You may want to create an altar with a candle, inspiring photos or statues. These are not necessary, but are beneficial if they help to motivate you.

Choose a duration As long as is comfortable, plus 5 minutes. This is a general guide, not a rule. Even fifteen or twenty minutes will seem an eternity in the beginning, but that impression will change with time. If you sit each day, you will experience noticeable benefits (e.g., less reactivity, more calm) and be able to increase your sitting time.

Every time you sit: Set your intention: It is helpful to recall at the start of each sitting meditation why you are doing it. Remember that your purpose, to become more open and free, will benefit you and those around you.

Set your posture Alertness is one of the two essential ingredients in every meditation. Sit on a chair, cushion, or kneeling bench as straight and tall as possible. In the beginning, sitting against a wall can help you learn what a straight back feels like. Around this straight-back position, let the rest of your skeleton and muscles hang freely. Let the hands rest comfortably on your knees or lap. Let the eyes close, bringing the attention inward.

Relax deeply Openness is the second essential ingredient in every meditation. Once you feel your spine is erect, let everything else relax, hang loose, and soften. Breathing through the nose, loosen the face, neck, hands, and stomach area. You may want to begin at the scalp and move your attention slowly downward, methodically relaxing and softening each part of the body. Please dont skip the step of relaxing/letting go! Consciously releasing body tension will help you open to whatever arises during your meditation.

Choose an object of meditation Once youve established this alert and open posture, you are ready to decide where youll place your attention. Useful objects for beginners are:

The breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. Other body changes during breathing, e.g., the rise and fall of the chest. Sounds as they arise from within the body or outside of it. Other body sensations as they arise.

Whatever object you select, stay with it for at least ten breaths. Even with this effort, your mind will insist on going to its usual places. Make note of this when it happens, and gently lead your attention back to the chosen object of meditation. Your intention and persistence are the key ingredients for cultivating awareness, not the number of times your mind wanders. As often as you need to, check yourselfAlert and erect? Relaxed and open? and begin again.

The classical objects of meditation: The four objects of meditation that the Buddha outlined in the Satipatthana Sutta are called the four foundations of mindfulness or the four frameworks for cultivating mindfulness. They are:

1) Mindfulness of the body (starting with breath). 2) Mindfulness of feeling (there are 3 pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral). 3) Mindfulness of mental objects (thoughts and emotions). 4) Mindfulness of all dharmas (all phenomena), starting with the 5 hindrances and the 7 factors of enlightenment and proceeding to all the sense and thought experiences that make up human life.

If you are interested in learning more about the four foundations of mindfulness, read Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg, or The Heart of Buddhist Meditation by Nyanaponika Thera.

A different object of meditation Metta practice, also called lovingkindness meditation, cultivates both compassion and concentration. The practice uses specific phrases to send loving and kind wishes to (a) yourself, (b) your parents, (c) your teachers or mentors, (d) your family, (e) your friends, (f) neutral persons, (g) difficult persons (or enemies), and (h) to all beings everywhere, without exception. The phrases might be:

May I be filled with lovingkindness May I be safe from harm May I be well May I be peaceful and at ease May I be happy May my parents be filled with lovingkindness May they be safe from harm(etc.)

To learn more about metta meditation, read Lovingkindness by Sharon Salzburg.

Concentration and mindfulness It will be important as you practice to recognize and balance the qualities of concentration and mindfulness. Concentration is the ability to gather your attention into one place. Mindfulness is pure moment-by-moment noticing. Without some concentration, mindfulness is difficult to sustain. Without mindfulness, concentration bears no fruit. In meditation practice, both are developed gradually.

Part II: Common issues for meditators

Monkey mind At first, you may be surprised at how active and uncontrolled your mind is. Dont worry you are discovering the truth about your current state of mind. Accept and sit with whatever comes up. Dont try to change it by force, use patience. Sit up, relax, and gently bring your attention back again and again to the object of your meditation.

It is common to mistake thinking for meditating. It takes practice to distinguish pleasant, dreamy thoughts from having your attention connected to the changing experience of this moment. Staying focused on the body/breath is a good way to stay grounded in the present.

The hindrances The classical five hindrances to practice are:

Grasping: wanting more (or something different) from whats present right now. Aversion: fear, anger, any form of pushing away. Restlessness: jumpy energy, agitation. Sloth and torpor: sleepy, sinking states of mind and body. Doubt: a mind-trap that says, its no use, this will never work, maybe theres an easier way.

Meditators experience all of these states. During sitting practice, if you notice one of the hindrances arising, it is useful to name it silently to yourself, e.g., grasping, grasping or sleepy, sleepy. If it is strong, try not to pull away from the difficult energy, but bring all of your attention to it. Let yourself experience it fully through the sensations in your body, neither getting lost in it nor pushing it away. Watch what happens without expectations, and when it dissipates, return to the primary focus of your meditation. As Ven. Henepola Gunaratana encourages in Mindfulness in Plain English: Examine [the hindrances] to death. When you clearly see the suffering created by grasping and aversion, you will naturally start to let them go.

Part III: Sustaining a practice

Here are just a few helpful hints for sustaining your sitting practice:

Sit every day, even if its for a short period. A few times during each day, establish contact with your body and breath. Remember that everyone wants to be happy, just like you. Practice regularly with a group or a friend. Use inspiring resources such as books or audiotapes of dharma talks. Study the Buddhadharma (e.g., the 4 Noble Truths, the Noble 8-Fold Path). Sign up for a retreat one day, a weekend, or longer. The experience will deepen your practice. If you miss a day, a week, or a month simply begin again. If you need guidance, ask for help from an experienced meditator or teacher.

L.J. Kelly, April 2001. Reprinted here with her permission Insight Meditation Community of Washington

See more here:
How to Meditate | New York Insight Meditation Center

If we were able to control our desire there would be no basis to experience most of our daily problems.

We are always trying to escape from problems, even in our dreams. Buddhas teachings are the real method to solve human problems.

In reality, all the problems we experience day to day come from our self-cherishing and self-grasping misconceptions that exaggerate our own importance.

Buddha taught that the mind has the power to create all pleasant and unpleasant objects.

If we want to be free from problems, we must transform our mind.

Problems arise only if we respond to difficulties with a negative state of mind.

If we want to be truly happy and free from suffering, we must learn how to control our mind.

Happiness and suffering are states of mind and so their main causes are not to be found outside the mind.

All functioning things our environments, enjoyments, body, mind and our self change from moment to moment.

Whenever we meet other people, instead of focusing on their delusions we should focus on the gold of their Buddha nature.

We should maintain renunciation the sincere wish to attain permanent liberation day and night. It is the door to liberation the supreme permanent peace of mind and the basis of more advanced realizations.

It often seems as if our mind is like a balloon in the windblown here and there by external circumstances. If we practice meditation eventually we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Bodhi means enlightenment and chitta means mind. Bodhichitta is a mind that spontaneously wishes to attain enlightenment to benefit each and every living being directly.

Compassion and wisdom are like the two wings of a bird with which we can fly to the state of full enlightenment.

By contemplating the many sufferings which humans experience, we should extend our compassion to animals.

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Meditation & Buddhism in NYC

Generally, the purpose of breathing meditation is to calm the mind and develop inner peace. We can use breathing meditations alone or as a preliminary practice to reduce our distractions before engaging in a Lamrim meditation

The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. This can be accomplished by practising a simple breathing meditation. We choose a quiet place to meditate and sit in a comfortable position. We can sit in the traditional cross-legged posture or in any other position that is comfortable. If we wish, we can sit in a chair. The most important thing is to keep our back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy.

The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid.

We sit with our eyes partially closed and turn our attention to our breathing. We breathe naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control our breath, and we try to become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is our object of meditation. We should try to concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else.

At first, our mind will be very busy, and we might even feel that the meditation is making our mind busier; but in reality we are just becoming more aware of how busy our mind actually is. There will be a great temptation to follow the different thoughts as they arise, but we should resist this and remain focused single-pointedly on the sensation of the breath. If we discover that our mind has wandered and is following our thoughts, we should immediately return it to the breath. We should repeat this as many times as necessary until the mind settles on the breath.

If we practise patiently in this way, gradually our distracting thoughts will subside and we will experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Our mind will feel lucid and spacious and we will feel refreshed. When the sea is rough, sediment is churned up and the water becomes murky, but when the wind dies down the mud gradually settles and the water becomes clear. In a similar way, when the otherwise incessant flow of our distracting thoughts is calmed through concentrating on the breath, our mind becomes unusually lucid and clear. We should stay with this state of mental calm for a while. Even though breathing meditation is only a preliminary stage of meditation, it can be quite powerful. We can see from this practice that it is possible to experience inner peace and contentment just by controlling the mind, without having to depend at all upon external conditions.

So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind

When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. This feeling of contentment and well-being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life. So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Just by doing breathing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes each day, we will be able to reduce this stress. We will experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind, and many of our usual problems will fall away. Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with others will gradually improve.

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Breathing Meditations | How to Meditate

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You can have anything in life you want, if youll just help enough other people get what they want. Zig Ziglar

Zig Ziglar is the worlds foremost authority on motivation. An internationally renowned speaker and authority on high-level performance, His I CAN course is taught in more than 3,000 schools; and hundreds of companies and businesses utilize his CDs, books, and video training programs to motivate and train their employees effectively.

As a sales trainer, he has lifted the careers of many thousands with effective strategies to not just make a sale, but to create a sales professional. Selling is not something you to do someone, it is something you do for someone. Zigs Secrets of Closing the Sale audio training program is a must-have for anyone involved in the world of selling.

Zig Ziglar has taught his values-based principles for becoming a more effective persuader and person to sales organizations, church groups, schools, and businesses. And he has reached thousands more through numerous television and radio appearances and through his popular audio and video training programs. For many years, his Sunday school class held at First Baptist Church, Dallas, was broadcast each Sunday morning, via satellite.

Years ago, Zig Ziglar walked away from a record-setting sales career to help other people become more successful in their personal and professional lives. His background in successful direct sales has made Zig one of the worlds foremost Sales Trainers. His name is synonymous with confidence, motivation and success. A master at motivational speaking, Mr. Ziglar has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, Fortune, Success and Esquire magazines, and has appeared on the Today show, 20/20, 60 minutes and The Phil Donohue show.

Zig Ziglars unique brand of logic and enthusiasm are overwhelming. Just a brief exposure to Zig makes a fan of anyone. He has that rare ability to make audiences comfortable and relaxed, yet completely attentive. As an author, he has produced dozens of successful books, audio CDs, and video programs, including his flagship product, How to Stay Motivated. As a concerned citizen, Mr. Ziglar has been recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States for his many contributions to the American way of life.

Over the last 30 years presenting himself and his motivational ideas, he has developed a national following. He has grown from a one-man show to chairman of the Zig Ziglar Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, with a staff of more than 60 employees an organization which is committed to helping people more fully utilize their physical, mental, and spiritual resources. Zig has traveled more than 3 million miles throughout the world as a speaker and lecturer.

Let top motivator and sales trainer, Zig Ziglar, help you be a winner in every area of your life.

November 28, 2012

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Zig Ziglar, an exceptional speaker, educator, and motivational trainer, earlier today. He was 86 years young and energetic to the last. Zigs values-based principles for becoming a more effective persuader and person are used in sales organizations, church groups, schools, and businesses all over the world.

Zig Ziglar was a popular contributor to our MindPerk One Minute Motivators newsletter. Of all the hundreds of motivational trainers out there, my all-time favorite, the one I have recommend to more people and organizations than any other, is Zig Ziglar. Why? Not only did he have great ideas and solutions, he presented them with energy, humor, and enthusiasm.

Ive met Zig and watched him teach in person. What an amazing experience! A few years ago, I attended a live seminar that Zig had customized for a company. At the time, he was approaching 70 years old. I was amazed that he had more energy and enthusiasm than I did at 40!

Zig Ziglar has had a profound influence on my life and I thank him for what he has taught me over many years.

At MindPerk, we express our love, respect, and condolences to the Ziglar family. Zigs message has positively impacted the lives of millions and will continue to inspire and educate generations to come.

Bill Mansell, President MindPerk, Inc.

Not only is Zig Ziglar the worlds great motivational speaker, hes a talented writer who sells the good old American principles of honesty, integrity, dependability, and supreme effort to learn professional skills. Robert H. Schuller, Pastor, Garden Grove, CA

Browse Books, Videos, and Audio Programs by Zig Ziglar

Read more from the original source:
Biography of Zig Ziglar - MindPerk

by Gil Dekel, PhD. Part 1. Go to 2.

The ideas of futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard (born 1929) are expressed in Neale Donald Walschs book, following his extensive research into her life-long journals, as well as in-depth interviews he conducted with her (sold separately on DVD). Neale describes Barbaras visions of the wheel of co-creation, the synergy engine, the peace room, and the evolutionary story of humanity.

Neale states (page 22) that he doesnt have much time left, and will not waste it on writing just another good biography, unless it had something important to tell the readers. This biography of Barbara conveys her life wisdom and her futurist visions in a way that the readers can learn and apply in their own lives. As such, Neale does not see this book as a biography, but as a uniography (page 21). The story in the book begins in the future and ends with Barbaras birth.

Here is a short summary of main lessons from the book, with page numbers (for your reference):

Page V

We are all new in every single moment of now, as we change every split second. We invent the total reality as we invent ourselves individually, and so the most important question to ask is not do we change? but how we change? The question is not does humanity becoming something? but rather what does humanity becoming?

Barbara Marx Hubbard December 2011 (photo by Norman Kremer)

Page VI

This book appears to be a biography of Barbara Marx Hubbard. However, it is not about someone elses life but the life of the readers. It is a book in which to loose yourself, and also to find yourself

Page VII

We are ready as humanity to break through and evolve what Barbra calls a birthing.

Page 9

In her meditations Barbara would feel a vibrant field of light which she saw as an inner vision a presence and a feeling of a nonlocal essence that is totally present here and now.

Inner Vision of Light. Digital artwork by Gil Dekel, 2011.

Page 10

At one meditation Barbara felt her consciousness expanding beyond the limits of her own body into a new kind of the self. She wrote down her experiences in her journal.

Page 13

She asked the presence who he was, and got the reply: I am the guardian of the gate way, the passageway to the next evolution.

Page14

The inner voice said: The first reward of your writing is a union with me and the second will be keeping the sense of a universal person, unbound by the local self.

Page 16

Barbara was told that she would need now to be falling upwards in love.

Page 17

She paid attention to this inner voice; her inner partner who was on the other side. He told her to go into her minds eye and see into the future, the future in a human perspective. She was hen able to see the next step in the human evolution, and the tools we need to develop to reach it.

Page 26

Barbara envisioned The Synergy Engine (SE) as a place on the internet where people from all over the world would be able to post their best ideas, best insights and specific data that they have about projects or things that are already working well.

If there is a problem in one place on the planet, someone might have already found a solution on another place. Anyone with PC and Internet connection will be able to access this huge pool of solutions, and apply them.

The idea of the Synergy Engine allows for global collaboration and coherence where for the first time in history so many people can offer so many ideas, and post them online in a short period of time.

Page 27

We already have global communications but we do not have an organized global collaboration, which is communication with a clear intention and specific focus of producing coherency. The Synergy Engine will be a social function-based tool. It will not just bring together all of the worlds wonderful ideas and solutions but new reasons for applying those solutions social responsibility, where people have the tool to influence and advance humans evolution.

The Engine is based on the model of a wheel, the wheel of co-creation as Barbara calls it.

The postings that people will send will be organised in specific sections within that wheel, divided into areas such as: governance, education, technology, medicine, science, communication, culture, arts, spirituality and economics.

Model of Barbara Marx Hubbard s Wheel of Co-creation. Digital artwork and model concept by Gil Dekel, 2011.

Page 28

Barbara explains that the segmentations on the wheel are not meant to divide the wheel into specialised sections, but to illustrate the interconnection and intersections between them. As they merge, and ideas overlap, we bring them into a one whole; as Barbara calls it, whole system synergy.

Some ideas that will be shared on the wheel will be projects that are already working well on localized areas and not yet on global scale. The Synergy Engine will allow these solutions to be taken globally. The purpose is collaboration and global partnership, not just local solutions.

It seems that there are solutions for every existing problem on our planet. The only problem that still needs a solution is coming up with a tool to communicate and share solutions from one community to another. What we need is to create a link between those who have the solutions and those who still seek them. The Synergy Engine will provide and facilitate that link.

Page 32

Visions are limited only by the horizon of our sight. When our straight-line-thinking stops, then the vision can expand. Life is here to serve us. We are not here to serve life.

Page 33

We can come to know why we are and what we are meant to do only once we understand who we really are. If we think that we are simple beings or just biological incidences then we may imagine that we are here only to survive.

For the Synergy Engine to fully operate, we need to start by asking ourselves who we are and what our life purpose is.

Page 36

Barbara said, Like a baby just before birth we would destroy ourselves if we continue to grow in the womb.

Page 37-38

And in the same way, we have now reached the limit of growth in the womb of earth. Our planet is a finite system. We are running out of resources because now is our time to be born. It is time to evolve further. We face problems in the world, because we need now to birth ourselves further.

The problems that we are facing now are in effect evolutionary drivers the problems push us forward in a way. For example, the explosion of a deep sea oil ridge in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. This was a serious problem and yet there were positive developments that came out of it: this event has awakened governments and citizens to the real issue which is the need for clean energies. We have been discussing clean energies for years but have not taken enough action. Now, as we seen the horrible disaster, we are awakened to move forward into action. Problems can actually help us evolve.

Illustration of Barbara Marx Hubbard. Drawn from a photo. Gil Dekel, 2011.

Page 46

When you have a calling, you must speak them out, and tell them to other people. This is the only way to find your soul-mates, your teammates. It takes courage because you may be called a dreamer or even an eccentric. Douglas Engelbart, a Silicone Valley legend, said, Someone once called me just a dreamer. That offended me the just part. Being a dreamer is hard work. It really gets hard when you start believing your dreams.

Once the Synergy Engine will be online, it will make it easy for people to express their dreams.

Page 49

Involution, as Barbara calls it, is a process where the spirit is descended into matter, into life.

Page 54-55

Almost everyone had the feeling that they failed once in their life. This feeling is false, as anything we ever thought, said or did helped us move forward in our evolution. Anything that you have experienced in your life, each event, was a gift and is part of a sacred progress.

End of part 1. Go to part 2.

Help to promote Barbaras message:

11 Aug 2011. Last update 12 March 2012.

Gil Dekel.

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Lessons from Neale Donald Walsch The Mother of Invention ...

Time is Money.

Target10toWin! is a weekly business development program that is specifically designed to teach businesses how to increase sales leads and close sales. Whether you are a CEO, sales manager, or sales representative, you live and die by the numbers on the spreadsheet and by the hours in the day.

This race against the clock is not for the weak hearted or thin skinned. Every year the race starts over, and the challenging question of What have you done for me lately? is asked by management.

Any person ultimately held responsible for sales realizes that it is their job to increase revenue to meet, or preferably exceed, quarterly targets. The great news is that sales people by nature are competitive. They want to perform. The challenge for most is that there is only so much time in the day.

Scheduling conflicts, deadlines, escalating sales targets, and lean staff have left many feeling frustrated, stressed and unsupported. As a result, sales goals are not met and staff turnover rises.

Target10toWin! is the answer for Business leaders who want results NOW!

Success in sales comes down to a basic formula. Effort Time Spent on Task = Return. Target10toWin! shows you how to optimize your efforts, decrease time spent on task, and ultimately how to maximize your return by increasing sales leads and closing sales.

Whether you are a sales person, business owner, sales manager or job seeker action is required to produce a positive outcome. Target10toWin! guides you to success through reasonable goal setting, the defining of achievable expectations, and identifying viable target markets.

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