Newsletter Stories

Teacher Reflections: “The Four Noble Truths”

Gina Sharpe

The Four Noble Truths form the basis of Buddhist practice.  New York Insight’s guiding teacher provides a fresh, clear exposition of these truths.

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A Few Words About
Learning and Unlearning Meditation

Jason Siff

A refreshing look at our meditation practice, seeing the limitations of habits, and learning to unlearn.

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An Introduction to Bowing

Robert Black

This ancient and widely used tradition is practiced in diverse ways.  Robert Black explores the history and variations of Bowing.

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Teacher Reflections: Stories and Teachings of Munindra

Mirka Knaster

Based on her extensive research, Mirka Knaster presents a vivid portrait of the beloved teacher Munindra.

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Teacher Reflections: “The First Noble Kvetch”

Wes Nisker

Wes Nisker, meditation teacher, author and performer, offers his straight-shooting views on the First Noble Truth.

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Book Reflections:
The Heart of the Universe by Mu Soeng

Lisa Commanger

Teacher and scholar, Mu Soeng, has written an elegant commentary on the Heart Sutra. Once again we are reminded that meaning is derived from action, not conceptual thinking.

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NYI Finances: First Quarter Budget Update

Joseph Schmidt, Executive Director

It is important for all of us in the NYI community to be “up to date” on how we are doing financially.  Thanks to your ongoing support, we are holding steady for the first quarter of 2012. 


The following Income and Expense Pie Charts will help give you a picture of our financial activity for the first quarter.

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Teacher Reflections: Profile of Martin Aylward

Orli Bahcall

Martin has a rich experience of different meditation practices from across India and Thailand that he continues to bring into his daily practice and relationships.  He is an internationally renowned Dharma teacher. 

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Unemployment, gratitude and dana

Shubha Bala

Shubha openly shares her experience as a recent graduate trying to find work and learning the depth of dana and gratitude in her practice.

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Retreat Reflections: On An Integrated Awakening

Robert Black

Robert Black had a wonderful time on a BCBS meditation retreat with Kittisaro and Thanissara that included chi kung, chanting, and bowing practices.

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Getting to Know You:
Dale Fuller, Volunteer Website Manager

Robert Black

Serving as a volunteer is another door to practice.  Website manager, Dale Fuller, has deepened his practice over the years by practicing the dharma within and through work with the sangha.

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Book Review:
The Essential Crazy Wisdom, by Wes Nisker
Ten Speed Press, 2001 256 pp

Lisa Commager

Wes Nisker, author, performer, teacher of Buddhist meditation, gathers a wide range of humor and wisdom into this classic book.

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Teacher Reflections: Profile of Arinna Weisman

Orli Bahcall

From her roots in South Africa through her years in Thai Forest monasteries, Arinna Weisman has developed an activist’s approach to the dharma.

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On taking a personal retreat

Orli G. Bahcall

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Patience

Allan Lokos

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Book Reflections: I and Thou by Martin Buber

Yoav Ben-Yosef

The great 20th-century Christian theologian, Martin Buber, poured his soul into this spiritual manifesto.

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Right Intention, Wise Intention, No Intention

Jon Aaron

This is a wonderful article by Jon Aaron exploring what a practice of mindfulness of intentions can be.

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Teacher Reflections: Opening the Heart

Charmaine Henderson

Charmaine explores the Buddha’s instructions for getting beyond fear by opening the heart to who we really are.

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Teacher Reflections with Gina Sharpe

Interview by Yoav Ben-Yosef, a New York Insight Sangha member

A conversation about Sharpe’s path through the Dharma and her thoughts about the practice, silence, and the chance for enlightenment.

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Integrating Equanimity

George Pitagorsky

Integrating into the relative after experiencing equanimity

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