CLARITY | STRENGTH | STABILITY
Practical guidance for anyone who wants to start, restart or refine their meditation practice.
All you need is a desire to experience the benefits of a sitting practice.
MY APPROACH
Meditation should feel
accessible to everyone.
My goal is to encourage a personal process of discovery while getting to know yourself by cultivating the positive qualities of your mind.
You don’t need to study Dharma to establish a sitting practice.
No experience or special beliefs are required.
SHAMATHA:
A Sanskrit word that means calm abiding.
Focusing our attention in the present moment, with our breath, coupled with an open and unbiased awareness of whatever arises in our mind.
When thoughts arise we return to the breath.
Over and over again
While our minds never really stop thinking, cultivating the practice of Mindfulness Meditation allows us to center on returning to the breath which ultimately grounds
us in the present moment.
As one continues to develop their practice they will become more familiar with the nature of their
Thoughts
Feelings
Perceptions
Sensations
Which lead to a comfortable clarity, strength and stability of thought which ultimately transfers into our daily lives.
This is the foundation
of Mindfulness Meditation.
BACKGROUND
& CREDENTIALS
MY STORY
I follow in the tradition
of Tibetan Buddhism.
My formal path in Buddhist Studies began in October 2020 when I registered for the MMTT - Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program at the Tibet House with David Nichtern of Dharma Moon as my teacher. I continue to study Buddhism with David and also his son Ethan Nichtern.
I came to NYC in 1978 to study photography at the School of Visual Arts. Professionally I spent many satisfying years in advertising, producing and representing hair and makeup talent. I enjoyed my work tremendously until I didn't.
And here I am today, on the path of mindfulness meditation and a forever student of the Buddhist teachings.
Presently, in my free time I enjoy seeing my grown children, cooking for friends and family, reading and any adventure.
CERTIFICATES
MMTT | Mindfulness Meditation
Tibet House | Dharma Moon
Teacher Training, David Nichtern
METTA | Loving Kindness
Dharma Moon
Teacher Training, Noel Coakley/Rebecca D'Onofrio
CONCENTRATION OF CONTINUING STUDIES
- The Four Noble Truths
- The Eightfold Path
- The Wheel of Life
- The Five Wisdom Energies
- The Heart Sutra
- The Abhidharma
SERVICES
• Private Guidance
• Personalized Meditation Plans
• Group Sessions
• Work & Team Building Groups
• Beginner Buddhist Study
• Advanced Buddhist Study
• Kids of All Ages
• Seniors Exploring Mindfulness
• Caregivers Managing Cronic Stress
• Parents Seeking Calm
• Actually, I support everyone
Support for:
The Three Areas of Guidance
1. Practice Guidance: Positive accountability and feedback on meditation practice, consistency techniques and obstacles.
2. Path Guidance: Dharma study, suggested readings, Buddhist concepts, retreats, etc.
3. Life Guidance: Applying the principals of practice to life situations.
SLIDING SCALE PAYMENT OPTIONS
STANDARD RATE
Suited for people with stable income, access to food, housing and healthcare.
SUPPORTED RATE
Suited for people with unstable and/or low income that creates stress about meeting basic needs. Typically 15% off.
SUPPORTED RATE PLUS
Suited for people with inadequate income that can prevent access to food, housing and healthcare - Typically 25%
FULL SCHOLARSHIP RATE
Offered on need base. I offer two currently active spots free of charge.
PATRON
Suited for people with stable income who are comfortably able to sponsor a full scholarship student.
The Gold Chain Analogy
Gentleness | Precision | Letting Go
When speaking of the thinking mind and how one might view starting a mindfulness meditation practice I often use the analogy of a fine link chain that is tangled with knots.
The more you try to remove one knot, it seems more appear. It can feel frustrating, much like becoming caught up in anxious or restless thoughts.
Rather than pulling at the chain, you first place it on a clear, flat surface where you can observe it carefully and calmly without any expectation. In meditation, that surface is the quiet space where you sit and clear your mind.
This is gentleness.
As you become aware of your breath, the tangles begin to reveal themselves. You start to see where the knots are, how they formed, and what keeps them in place.
This is precision.
You might need some fine instrument to help you with the untangling. In meditation, that tool is your gentle focused attention on the breath.
As your observation deepens, untangling the knots becomes apparent and they gradually loosen and begin to unravel.
This is letting go.
