Cultivating Joy and Grace in Uncertainty
Can we live with uncertainty, not from a place of fear but from a place of buoyancy, curiosity and ease? How can the teachings provide practical ways of coping with these various threats? How can we cultivate joy in uncertainty, instead of battling it in the doomed hope of clinging to certainties that ultimately will not last? Uncertainty itself is utterly certain – and this can be a refuge.
Internal, External, Eternal: Being Nature Together
A weeklong retreat held at the lovely Oakwood Retreat Center in Selma Indiana
Peace as Practice: Strengthening Compassion and Expanding Mindfulness in a Frantic World
Together we will explore ancient teachings about heart practices, and how these work in tandem with mindfulness. Grounded in a Buddhist orientation as well as drawing on other wisdom traditions, we will learn and deepen our practice of what is referred to as the Four Divine Abodes: loving-friendliness (metta), compassion (karuna), resonant joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha). Each of these practices is understood as appropriate responses to what arises internally and in our world. In this way, we can develop a more capacious, sustainable and creative way of meeting life’s challenges.
These days will be held in Noble Silence, including giving ourselves a well needed break from our devices. This can support us to unravel our nervous systems and experience a more natural, luminous nature of mind.
The retreat will include guided and silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, chanting, poetry and dharma talks. Prior retreat experience will of course be helpful, though it is perfectly appropriate for first timers as well. There will be several opportunities during the retreat group for Q&A and 1:1 meetings.
The Joy of Meditation- Vipassana and the Whole Nine Yards
Even amid this chaotic and at times, frightening world, can we find joy in our meditation practice?Rather than experiencing it as an escape from these challenges, we can learn to see it as a way of transforming the world.
Mindfulness Meditation hosted by the Rubin Museum @NY Insight
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.
Peace as Practice: Cultivating Mindfulness and Compassion A Day-long Meditation Retreat
A daylong meditation retreat dedicated to cultivating qualities of the heart-mind.
Finding Grace in the Muck
We are all potential Bodhisattvas. In this weekend retreat, through formal and informal practice including chanting we can unlock this capacity and bring more grace into this world so worthy of rescue.
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!
Watering the Seeds of Forgiveness
This intensive class, held in a supportive and nurturing environment, will explore the nature of resentment and aversion we may have toward ourselves and others as a result of past actions. Through self-compassion and forgiveness, we can learn to let go of these harmful feelings, allowing our innate kindness to shine through.
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.
Sitting on Sunday
An opportunity to meditate, ask questions, listen to a talk.
A peaceful way to spend Sunday morning.
No Registration Required
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
