The Breath-Body-Mind workshop will combine movement and breathing meditations which make meditation practice deeper and less effortful. The core technique taught in this workshop will be Coherent Breathing, a modern form of anapanasati practiced by advanced Thai Buddhist monks. This practice was described in a Chinese text 3000 years ago and was studied in advanced Zen monks. It was also independently rediscovered by two modern research groups. The effects of Coherent Breathing are magnified by combining it with advanced breathing techniques from yoga, Qigong, and Russian Orthodox monks to bring the system into optimal balance and a higher energy state. Ancient yoga and Qigong texts advised the sequence of movement, breathing, and meditation. Qigong movements first open energy channels to remove blocks to energy flow and to strengthen the body. Movement is followed by Coherence Breathing in combination with other practices. The third component of this workshop will be Open Focus meditation. Developed by Les Fehmi, PhD, one of the fathers of biofeedback and a Zen teacher, Open Focus induces EEG patterns similar to those found in advanced, long-term meditators. Successive rounds of movement, breathing, and meditation can lead to deeper, richer meditative states as well as the relief of physical and psychic pain. This course will be similar to, but different from the course given in June 2011. It will be adjusted to the needs and background of the participants. References: 1. Breath!! You Are Alive: Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing. Thich Nhat Hanh. Prallax Press, 1988. 2. Coherent Breathing. The Definitive Method. Stephen Elliot. www.coherence.com. 3. Let Every Breath: Secrets of the Russian Breath Masters. www.russianmartialart.com

In this daylong retreat we’ll explore the uses of Buddhist practices and teachings in recovery. Blending mindfulness and the12 Steps we will see how fundamental Buddhist teachings like the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, Lovingkindness, and others can be used as fundamental tools in a program of recovery. The day will include lecture, discussion, and interactive exercises, as well as an introduction to mindfulness meditation.

These regularly scheduled evenings open up to practice questions allowing time to deepen in Sangha through mindful community discussion.

We will use the Four Foundation of Mindfulness as a frame of reference to support the understanding of our relationship with our inner and outer environment.

Monthly Sitting and Inquiry with NYI Guiding Teacher, Gina Sharpe. These regularly scheduled evenings begin with a guided meditation and then open up to our practice questions allowing us time to deepen in Sangha through mindful community discussion. Gina Sharpe is the Guiding Teacher of NYI, which she co-founded in 1998. She has been studying and practicing the Dharma for several years in Asia and the United States across many traditions and has been teaching since 1994.

This evening’s talk will address the overlap between psychotherapy and meditation, from the perspective of a Western psychiatrist whose introduction to the study of the mind came through Buddhist meditation. Discussion will center on how primal emotions like aggression and desire are handled. While it is often assumed that Buddhism counsels suppression or eradication of such energies, Mark Epstein will propose another model. Drawn from his studies of both D.W. Winnicott and the Buddha, this evening’s presentation will use the Buddha’s own inner struggle as a model for our own. Meditation instruction will be offered. Mark Epstein is a Harvard trained psychiatrist with a private practice in New York City. A longtime student of Joseph Golstein and Jack Kornfield, he is the author of a number of works about the overlap of Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, and Psychotherapy without the Self.

In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, NYI offers this daylong to explore diverse teachings on paths to freedom. Using the ideas of Dr. King as a framework, we will introduce the words and ideas of different leaders from around the world who have used their spiritual practice as a foundation for social engagement. Through interactive dialogue and activities, we will examine how we ourselves can find the inspiration to engage in our communities with open hearts of compassion and wisdom.

Conscious living is treating every moment of every day as a meditation; it is cultivating wisdom through mindfulness. Mindfulness gives rise to awareness, and awareness allows our innate wisdom to flower. Wisdom brings forth compassion. This retreat is an intensive exploration of meditation in daily life. Participants learn and practice several specific meditation techniques intertwined with the key Buddhist teachings that give both a practical and philosophical foundation for the techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their experience, ask questions, and address issues regarding the integration of meditation and Buddhist thought into daily work, family, and social life. Michael Daner has followed the Dow and the Tao--as far away as India and as close as his own backyard-for over thirty years. He is a student of Theravadan Buddhism, Dzogchen and Advaita. Michael's teachers include Jean Klein and Namkai Norbu. He co-developed the Living Wisely/Working Wisely Workshop. George Pitagorsky blends Buddhism, systems thinking and non-dual philosophy. He has practiced yoga and Insight Meditation since the early 1970’s. He is a senior teacher at NYIMC and, as a multi-disciplinary business consultant and coach, focused on applying open-minded mindfulness to achieve optimal performance. George is author of The Zen Approach to Project Management, editor of the Breakthrough Newsletter, and is currently working on a book on Conflict Management. George seeks to help people to integrate meditation and Buddhist thinking into their daily lives. He has served on the NYIMC Board of Directors.

with Susan Kaiser-Greenland

with Susan Kaiser-Greenland

This is the fourth and final session of the "Metta and Compassion" daylong. It includes a guided karuna meditation, some explanation, question-and-answer with both Gina Sharpe and Sharon Salzberg, and closes with a sharing of the merit. This day focuses on the development of lovingkindness and compassion, both for ourselves and for others. These qualities of the heart diminish fear and isolation, and further our understanding of interconnectedness. Through meditation practice, dialogue, and discourse, we will explore these qualities together. Suitable for both beginning and more experienced meditators.

This is the third talk in the "Metta and Compassion" daylong, in which Gina introduces the concept of compassion/karuna. This day focuses on the development of lovingkindness and compassion, both for ourselves and for others. These qualities of the heart diminish fear and isolation, and further our understanding of interconnectedness. Through meditation practice, dialogue, and discourse, we will explore these qualities together. Suitable for both beginning and more experienced meditators.

This is the second talk of the "Metta and Compassion" daylong, containing a dharma talk, a guided metta/lovingkindness meditation and a question-answer session. This day focuses on the development of lovingkindness and compassion, both for ourselves and for others. These qualities of the heart diminish fear and isolation, and further our understanding of interconnectedness. Through meditation practice, dialogue, and discourse, we will explore these qualities together. Suitable for both beginning and more experienced meditators.

This is first talk of the Metta and Compassion daylong, introducing lovingkindness (metta) and compassion (karuna). This day focuses on the development of lovingkindness and compassion, both for ourselves and for others. These qualities of the heart diminish fear and isolation, and further our understanding of interconnectedness. Through meditation practice, dialogue, and discourse, we will explore these qualities together. Suitable for both beginning and more experienced meditators.

Ven. Metteyya discusses how Buddha’s teachings help us to develop the inherent potential every human being has for enlightenment and effecting positive change in our lives, our community and the world.

with Thanissara (Monthly People of Color Sangha Sitting)

One in a series of 3 talks: The Buddha viewed perceptions of self and not-self as a form of karma, or action. Thus the question is not, “Do I have a self?” or “What is my true self?” Instead, it is “When is it skillful to perceive a self, and when is it more skillful to perceive not-self?” This series of three talks will explore this last question. Part III explores the function of the perception of not-self as a means to true happiness.

One in a series of 3 Talks: The Buddha viewed perceptions of self and not-self as a form of karma, or action. Thus the question is not, “Do I have a self?” or “What is my true self?” Instead, it is “When is it skillful to perceive a self, and when is it more skillful to perceive not-self?” This series of three talks will explore this last question. Part II explores ways in which a healthy, mature sense of self is essential to the practice.

One in a series of 3 talks: The Buddha viewed perceptions of self and not-self as a form of karma, or action. Thus the question is not, “Do I have a self?” or “What is my true self?” Instead, it is “When is it skillful to perceive a self, and when is it more skillful to series of three talks will explore this last question. Part I explores the issue of why the Buddha refused to take a position on the question of whether or not there is a self.

Exploring the Seven Factors of Enlightenment or Awakening (Monthly People of Color Sangha Sitting).

Based on an examination of early discourses found in the Buddhist Pali Canon, we explore the question: "What did the Buddha teach that was distinctively and originally his own?" By differentiating the Buddha's Dhamma from the ideas of Indian religion and metaphysics that prevailed at his time we seek to uncover a clearer sense of the Buddha's message and then consider what relevance it still has for people living in the modern world.

Stephen’s new book, "Confession of a Buddhist Atheist", tells the story of his thirty-seven-year quest to understand the meaning of Buddhism. It recounts his life as a monk in India and Korea and concludes with his search to discover the historical Buddha. Stephen talks about the writing of the book and reads selected passages.

In the midst of impermanence we find stillness not by avoidance or denial, but by going into the eye of the storm while clinging to nothing.

These characteristics -- impermanence, non-self, and the ensuing dissatisfaction -- provide us with the opportunity to learn the art of losing. By learning it, we come to the end of suffering.

By seeing ourselves as separate, we turn death into an abomination. Practice allows us to turn this around.