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The Ten Perfections of the Heart, or pāramīs, offer a powerful framework for living with compassion, resilience, and purpose. These teachings—on generosity, ethical conduct, renunciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, resolve, lovingkindness, and equanimity—are not just meditation guidelines, they are practical tools for navigating life. According to tradition, these were the very qualities the Buddha cultivated over many lifetimes as he gradually prepared to awaken fully and guide others toward freedom. In this residential retreat, we will explore and practice the pāramīs both on and off the cushion. Our focus will be on how we embody these teachings in everyday life within a community rooted in belonging, shared intention, and a commitment to collective liberation.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
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In this evening talk, meditation and dialogue, we’ll be exploring the practices of courage and connection to guide us through holding dignity in our speech. Join me in connecting with the Insight Community of Western Massachusetts.
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New York Insight Meditation Center teachers and staff warmly invite you to our 2025 New Years Eve gathering and celebration.
We are delighted to offer an evening of reflection, connection, and intention-setting as we honor the closing of the year and welcome the new one. The evening will include meditation, chanting, space for reflection, and our unique year-end ritual, in which all are invited to participate. Together, we will cultivate a sense of care and community, tending to ourselves and one another as we move into the new year. This is a benefit event for the center, with all proceeds supporting New York Insight’s ongoing work.
This hybrid event will be lovingly held by New York Insight Guiding Teacher Leslie Booker, community members, and guests, some of whom will join the evening online.
Doors will open at 8:00 p.m., allowing time for socializing and sharing light snacks until 9:00 p.m. The formal program will begin promptly at 9:00 p.m. ET. For those joining us online, from 8:45 to 9:00 p.m. we invite you to connect through the chat, listen to soothing meditative music, or simply sit in quiet presence with your community.
We look forward to sharing this meaningful evening with you, in the spirit of reflection and renewal, as we enter the new year together.
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This monthly Sunday morning practice is a staple at New York Insight. Similar to our weekday Community Meditation Gathering, Sitting on Sunday is led by NYI’s seasoned teachers, who will guide participants in both seated and moving meditation, offer a Dharma talk, and engage in dialogue with the community.
Suggested donation is $15 but whatever you offer is greatly appreciated. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
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Although Buddhism is often seen as a solitary path, sangha, or community, is an essential part of meditation practice. However, cultivating this sense of community has been a difficult challenge in this day and age of social isolation and Zoom fatigue.
This series of in-person New York Insight community gatherings consists of guided meditation, a talk by one of our teachers, followed by group discussion, and opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded practitioners.
Whether you are brand new to meditation practice, new to New York Insight, or are a longtime, experienced meditator, all are welcome to join us for this series of in-person community meditation gatherings.
We hope to see you there!
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For over 35 years now, the Monday Night sitting group at Spirit Rock has been a welcoming refuge to gather, hear the teachings of the Buddha, and practice insight meditation together as a community. The program includes a 30-40 min guided meditation, a short break, and a dharma talk.
Class time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm US Pacific Time weekly on Monday evenings.
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Generosity, ethics and releasing are the foundations for living in a shared world. As the first three of the 10 Paramis - they point us in the direction of caring for each other by letting go of the things that keep us separated.
On this Day of Practice, we’ll be exploring what we can offer, how we can care and what we can lay down in order to be released from our suffering. Weaving together early Buddhist stories, lived experience and time for contemplation, we’ll reflect on what these teachings offer around living from a generous heart, to act ethically in a complex world, and to discover the freedom that comes from letting go—of possessions, identities, and views that keep us bound.
This retreat is open to both new and experienced practitioners and will be a day of still and moving practices, journaling, dharma talks and discussion.
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New York Insight and Tricycle are excited to present a special daylong event with renowned Buddhist monk Bhante Buddharakkhita. Please join us for a full day of practice and an interview with Bhante by New York Insight’s Guiding Teacher Leslie Booker.
This day will include:
Guided meditation
Dharma talk
Live interview with Bhante Buddharakkhita
Q&A
Save the date! More information will be available soon, but you can register now to reserve your spot.
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Sunday, January 25th, 2026 | 10:00am – 5:00pm ET
It can be hard for many of us to integrate what we’re hearing in dharma talks and practicing on the cushion, into our everyday lives. And sometimes these 2600-year-old teachings are hard to reconcile with the level of complexity and nuance of our modern world. The teachings on the Paramis, the 10 attainments of the heart, give us direct instruction on just how to do that. Considered the origin story of the Buddha, they start with the basics: Dana (generosity), Sila (ethical conduct) Nekkhamma (renunciation).
On this Day of Practice, we’ll be exploring what we can offer, how we can care and what we can lay down in order to be released from our suffering. Weaving together early Buddhist stories, lived experience and time for contemplation, we’ll reflect on what these teachings offer around living from a generous heart, acting ethically in a complex world, and discovering the freedom that comes from letting go—of possessions, identities, and views that keep us bound.
This retreat is open to both new and experienced practitioners and will be a day of still and moving practices, journaling, dharma talks and discussion.
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More Information & Registration Here
Belonging, Courage and Love is a ten-month immersion in the pāramīs—the ten heart qualities the Buddha cultivated over countless lifetimes to prepare for awakening.
Before he became the Buddha, he was a bodhisattva devoted to perfecting generosity, patience, truthfulness, and lovingkindness. These were not abstract ideals, but living practices, ways of being in relationship with a complex world.
Guided by Booker—a Black, queer Dharma teacher and lover of liberation whose work bridges wisdom and justice, this program invites you to walk that same human path. Through embodied practice, storytelling, reflection, and community connection, you’ll learn to bring the pāramīs to life in your everyday experience at work, in relationships, and in moments of challenge or joy.
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The Unreliability of Identity, and the Undeniability of its Impact
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.