MAY Meditation Challenge!
Unguided meditations on Zoom with a bell at the start and the end. A chance to perhaps re-boot and deepen your meditation practice, or get more support to build a routine by meditating with others.
Mindfulness Meditation at the Rubin Museum
Join Jon as the Rubin Museum continues itsMindfulness Meditation series.
Whether you’re a brand-new beginner, a dabbler, or a skilled meditator seeking the company of others, join expert teachers in a 45-minute weekly program designed to fit into your lunch break. Each session will be inspired by a different work of art from the Rubin Museum’s collection, and will include an opening talk, a 20-minute sitting session, and a closing discussion. Chairs will be provided.
Urban Farm Eco-Dharma-Cultivating Local and Personal Resilience in a Time of Climate Crisis
Urban Farm Eco-Dharma
with Lin Wang Gordon and Jon Aaron
Saturday, May 18th, June 15th, July 20th, August 10th, September 21st, October 19th, 2024 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
(please note Jon will only be present through August 10)
Location: The Battery Park Urban Farm
“Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
The purpose of this course is to nurture climate resilience through learning about meditation practices and Buddhist philosophy, and to cultivate wisdom by directly working with the Earth through volunteering at an urban farm.
Over the 6 months of this course, we will discover how our embodied Buddhist practices can help us face difficult emotions with compassion and how that impacts our response to the crisis. We will explore healing and cultivating compassion, wisdom, resilience, equanimity through our meditation practices. Embracing the climate crisis is as much a spiritual, sacred path as healing from our personal crisis. We will explore diverse voices who have been thinking through the responses – a diversity that includes gender, race, and age – to provide a wide range of perspectives. We will also engage in nature-based meditation practices – integrating wisdom from our natural environment into our practices and understanding.
Finding Our True Nature in Nature
This six-day silent meditation retreat will primarily take place in the forests and meadows on the magical 180 acres of RMERC land.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Online
MBSR
8 Mondays from 10:00AM (EST)-12:30AM
June 17-August 12 (no class on July 8th)
Practice Day on Saturday, July 27*, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Orientation Monday, June 10, 10:00-11:30
(required if you intend to register for the class)
Tuition $765-$390.00 includes materials and Practice Day
There are a limited number of scholarships.
This course is offered by the Mindfulness and Health Institute
MBSR Teacher Training—Essentials in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction offered online
The is the first step of the MBSR teacher training path way.
Insight 101-- Six Week Beginner Course
A class for beginning meditators and those curious about the Buddhist approach to meditation
Six Tuesday Evenings
6:30PM-8:30PM
This course will provide fundamental instruction in insight meditation. Emphasis is placed on the practices of sitting and walking meditation and developing mindfulness in daily life. Explanation and discussion of the Buddhist teachings central to insight meditation are part of each class. The course is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced meditators who wish to maintain their “beginner’s mind.”
The teachings of the Buddha have an experiential emphasis. It is not a question of believing that practicing meditation is beneficial, but of actually trying it out and experiencing the results for oneself. Insight meditation is a way to develop wisdom and compassion. The core of the practice is the cultivation of mindfulness. In the past few years, there has been a great increase in the study of mindfulness and its benefits. This class is appropriate to all with an interest in meditation and everyone is welcome.
New York Insight Community Sit (Copy)
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
You Are Not Your Pain- A Five Day Workshop
YOU ARE NOT YOUR PAIN-
A Five-Day Intensive Residential Workshop at the Omega Institute
taught with Mary Rothfusz
special guest (online) Vidyamala Burch
This retreat is a rare opportunity to completely immerse yourself in life-changing practices and skills for living well with pain and illness, through the signature course, “You Are Not Your Pain” of the UK-based Breathworks team. You will be able to practice within a supportive and caring environment, amongst others on a similar journey, guided by two of highly skilled teachers — and with live video presentations and Q&A with Vidyamala Burch, the co-founder of Breathworks and the author of You Are Not Your Pain.
Chronic pain and health issues can feel unbearable, debilitating, and unfair. Vidyamala sustained several spinal injuries as a young woman, requiring multiple surgeries, and left her with partial paraplegia and severe chronic pain. She began to explore mindfulness and meditation in her twenties to manage her pain and found them profoundly life-changing and transformative. Breathworks has grown to become a flourishing and dynamic international organization with over 450 accredited teachers in over 35 countries. The Breathworks approach to living with chronic pain and illness is evidence-based, has been backed by significant research, and has changed the lives of thousands of people suffering from long-term conditions.
You can learn to live a rich and full life, restore your well-being, and truly feel that your pain or health condition is well managed.
Courageous Hearts, Radiant Minds “Finding Grace in the Muck”
A Five-Day silent retreat at the beautiful Won Dharma Center exploring the power of brought forth by the Buddha and Bodhisattva’s to awaken our own inner strength and grace.
Finding Joy in the Refuge of Uncertainty
Finding Joy in the Refuge of Uncertainty—
A day of practice for Insight Chicago
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
A Taste of Freedom
A Taste of Freedom
Jon Aaron and Upayadhi
a day of practice
In spiritual freedom, we do not become free from events, but we become free within events. Circumstances lose their power to lacerate our minds. - Gavin Harrison
The Buddha’s Third Noble Truth tells us: there is freedom from suffering. Certainly, there have been times in our lives when we have momentarily tasted at least a glimpse of this freedom. The Buddha prescribed a path for a more enduring, if not permanent, liberation. This path is a profound prescription for how to live and, in so doing, create a world where freedom becomes possible for all.
Through cultivating wise view and intention, ethical living, and wise effort, mindfulness and tranquility, we begin to see the fruits of our practice. On this day of practice, through meditation, chanting, silence and community, will co-create a compassionate spaciousness to remind ourselves of what is already here, to reconnect with a taste of freedom that does not rely on circumstance or worldly matters. We will also explore the Buddhist teachings of non-harm and non-violence.
Interestingly, an unconditioned and liberated mind does require some basic material conditions. We can’t cultivate an unobstructed heart without what the Buddha called “requisites for practice.” Traditionally these include shelter, clothing, and access to food, clean water and medicine. In this spirit, we will be donating 20% of our proceeds to organizations offering humanitarian relief and working for lasting peace in the Middle East and the Congo.
What? A day of practice, alternating between sitting meditation, walking meditation, dharma talks, gentle movement, chanting, extended periods of silence, and a listening meditation circle.
The Heart of Mindfulness: A Silent Meditation Retreat
As the year and all its intensity come to a close, we invite you to join us for a contemplative and spacious meditation retreat on the beautiful campus of the Dharmakaya Retreat Center for Wellbeing. Creating a nourishing pause before the demands of the holiday season and the start of a new year, we aim to rest and restore our nervous systems, enliven and deepen our meditation practice, and give ourselves the gift of a winter solstice reset.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
Yom Kippur - A Day of Silence and Refection
A Day of Silence and Reflection - Yom Kippur
In person or Online
co-led with Elaine Retholtz
10am-7pm
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, a day when, as a community, Jews are asked to reflect on their actions of the past year and to ask for atonement for any actions that were unskillful. In support of this day, NYI hosts a day of silence and reflection.
This year New York Insight will continue the annual Yom Kippur tradition and it will be offered as a hybrid event.
There will be meditations focused on the idea of right action, the difference between guilt and remorse, the laws of karma, forgiveness, and lovingkindness. There will also be an opportunity for mindful discussion on the Buddhist perspective on atonement. All are welcome to join us in this exploration. The day will end with a symbolic break-fast.
Doors open at 9:30am. If you are participating via zoom, you will be able to login at
9:50 AM.
Pre-registration is required. Please note the NY Insight COVID Protocol for In-Person Programs.
This daylong retreat is a dana (donation) based event, with donations being directed to New York Insight and the Buddhist Global Relief Fund.Thank you for your generosity!
MBSR Teacher Training Info Session
This session is for those interested in becoming MBSR teachers.
We will discuss the prerequisites and what’s involved in each training.
On the Road…
In June and July, I’ll be in Cleveland and Madison. Guiding meditation and giving talks. If those are your cities, I look forward to seeing you.
MBSR Teacher Training Info Session
This session is for those interested in becoming MBSR teachers.
We will discuss the prerequisites and what’s involved in each training.
Mindfulness Meditation at the Rubin Museum
Join Jon as the Rubin Museum continues its Mindfulness Meditation series.
Whether you’re a brand-new beginner, a dabbler, or a skilled meditator seeking the company of others, join expert teachers in a 45-minute weekly program designed to fit into your lunch break. Each session will be inspired by a different work of art from the Rubin Museum’s collection, and will include an opening talk, a 20-minute sitting session, and a closing discussion. Chairs will be provided.
Presented in partnership with New York Insight Meditation Center.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
Learn to Meditate (or Refresh your Practice)
New to mindfulness meditation? Need a refresher? These 1-hour drop in sessions are for you!
30-Day May Meditation Challenge!
Unguided meditations on Zoom with a bell at the start and the end. A chance to perhaps re-boot and deepen your meditation practice, or get more support to build a routine by meditating with others.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
There’s More to Death than Dying
Co-Taught with Amy Selzer and Nancy Glimm
Recollecting Our Good Qualities Before We Die
As a final daylong in this series on living with the nature to die, we will take the time to explore our best qualities. This reflection is so important though many of us need the reminder to do it.
We will spend time identifying and discovering the causes and conditions that support our good qualities. The Buddha spoke of two superheroes that protect the world. These are Hiri, conscience or postive shame, and Ottappa, concern for the results of our actions. Looking at these two qualities, we will observe our personal sense of integrity, and our understanding of what is wholesome and unwholesome.
We will look at other supports as well such as the refuges, precepts, fierce friendships and more. The day will include a writing exercise, movement, meditation both sitting and walking, break-out rooms, dharma talks and sharing.
All levels of practice are welcome. Why wait, let’s practice now!
Any Questions? A Special Q&A Session on Mindfulness and Meditation
Join me for an evening of practice followed by Q&A on meditation, mindfulness and dharma for the New York Insight Community.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
![[PART 4] An Unapologetically Buddhist Approach to Mindfulness: Mapping Experience](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6009df782ff667223a73ecbc/1626284680831-9DDNCVX75SW9GZ68CZOC/unsplash-image-Dj8reMyS-Z4.jpg)
[PART 4] An Unapologetically Buddhist Approach to Mindfulness: Mapping Experience
There is far more to the Satipatthana Sutta that is apparent, or ever explicit, in most secular mindfulness courses. This will be an opportunity to explore the teachings in the fuller context of the Buddha’s presentation, unimpeded. Though all Four Satipatthanas overlap, each section will dive into one while relating to the others. You may register for all 20 weeks, or to any of the parts, which can stand alone.
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.
[PART 3] An Unapologetically Buddhist Approach to Mindfulness: The Wild and Crazy Mind
There is far more to the Satipatthana Sutta that is apparent, or ever explicit, in most secular mindfulness courses. This will be an opportunity to explore the teachings in the fuller context of the Buddha’s presentation, unimpeded. Though all Four Satipatthanas overlap, each section will dive into one while relating to the others. You may register for all 20 weeks, or to any of the parts, which can stand alone.
Monday Evening Meditation
Every Monday, Jon and when Jon isn’t available, others from the S2M teaching team will offer a 25-30 meditation, reflection, q/a and practice check-in.
These will be offered on the basis of generosity but it will be necessary to become a member (starting at $0) of Space2Meditate.
Then you can drop-in any time. If you’re already and S2M Member you just use the S2M link!
Monday Evening Meditation
Every Monday, Jon and when Jon isn’t available, others from the S2M teaching team will offer a 25-30 meditation, reflection, q/a and practice check-in.
These will be offered on the basis of generosity but it will be necessary to become a member (starting at $0) of Space2Meditate.
Then you can drop-in any time. If you’re already and S2M Member you just use the S2M link!
Monday Evening Meditation
Every Monday, Jon and when Jon isn’t available, others from the S2M teaching team will offer a 25-30 meditation, reflection, q/a and practice check-in.
These will be offered on the basis of generosity but it will be necessary to become a member (starting at $0) of Space2Meditate.
Then you can drop-in any time. If you’re already and S2M Member you just use the S2M link!
[PART 2] An Unapologetically Buddhist Approach to Mindfulness: The Tonality of Experience
There is far more to the Satipatthana Sutta that is apparent, or ever explicit, in most secular mindfulness courses. This will be an opportunity to explore the teachings in the fuller context of the Buddha’s presentation, unimpeded. Though all Four Satipatthanas overlap, each section will dive into one while relating to the others. You may register for all 20 weeks, or to any of the parts, which can stand alone.
Monday Evening Meditation
Every Monday, Jon and when Jon isn’t available, others from the S2M teaching team will offer a 25-30 meditation, reflection, q/a and practice check-in.
These will be offered on the basis of generosity but it will be necessary to become a member (starting at $0) of Space2Meditate.
Then you can drop-in any time. If you’re already and S2M Member you just use the S2M link!
Monday Evening Meditation
Every Monday, Jon and when Jon isn’t available, others from the S2M teaching team will offer a 25-30 meditation, reflection, q/a and practice check-in.
These will be offered on the basis of generosity but it will be necessary to become a member (starting at $0) of Space2Meditate.
Then you can drop-in any time. If you’re already and S2M Member you just use the S2M link!
New York Insight Community Sit
These teacher-led sittings provide an opportunity for the Sangha to meet with NewYork Insight teachers for meditation, a Dharma talk and dialogue to address practice issues. Open to all regardless of experience.