Online: The Joy of Meditation – Vipassana and the Whole Nine Yards
with Jon Aaron
Thursdays, February 4th – March 25th, 2021 | 10:00am – 12:00pm ET
The Buddha’s teachings on meditation have been referred to as a “technology of transformation.” His teachings offered a range of meditation practices which are generally categorized as Sati (Mindfulness), Samadhi (Unification/tranquility), Vipassana (Insight), Metta (Friendliness), and Jhana (Absorption). Many of these practices found their way into the later Buddhist traditions and are very much part of the modern mindfulness movement (MBSR etc), although not always explicitly. Added to this, the practices themselves are taught in a very wide range of ways, depending on the individual teacher and cultural context.
This bounty can, paradoxically, lead to confusion and doubt, or to staying on the surface level in our practice as a result of switching around so much. What is the relationship between these practices? How do we know when to turn to one or the other? There are ways to welcome depth, playfulness and creativity in practice to counter this doubt and confusion.
This class is intended as a support for anyone who has completed a beginner meditation course or a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class, and who is curious about the specific Buddhist teachings on meditation. Each class will involve a significant practice period and teaching based on the original suttas, as well as classical and modern interpretative commentaries.
We will spend time investigating our own experience with each of these practices and sharing the fruit of wisdom and compassion that comes of this.
Registration:
Please register at the highest level that your generosity offers.
Explanations of levels follow below.
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Registration Fees include Teacher Support
New York Insight Meditation Center has streamlined the registration fee levels. Members of our Circle of Friends are eligible to receive 20% off of the Sustaining Rate via a code provided in the email confirming membership, which you can enter after clicking the Sustaining Level registration.
*Benefactor Level: Supports NYI’s ability to offer the Subsidized Base.
**Sustaining Level: This level reflects the actual costs to support this program. Circle of Friends members eligible for 20% discount with code. Click here to join.
***Subsidized Base: Made possible by the generosity of Benefactor Level above and other donations to ensure participation by those requiring financial assistance.
If you have questions about your registration (cancellation policy, membership discount, email confirmation, etc.), please read our FAQs. If your question is not addressed in the FAQs, please email registration@nyimc.org.
If you are unable to pay the Subsidized Base Fee, you can learn about volunteering to offer work exchange and letting us know how much you are able to pay for this program by emailing registration@nyimc.org.
Teacher(s)
Jon Aaron
Jon Aaron is a Dharma and mindfulness teacher based in New York and Chicago. Since 2006, he has taught at the New York Insight Meditation Center, offering Dharma and MBSR classes. He regularly leads retreats around the U.S. He is primarily grounded in the Theravāda tradition, alongside non-dual and Mahayana approaches. His teaching emphasizes integrating Dharma and mindfulness into daily life to foster clarity in addressing personal and social challenges. His teachers include Matthew Flickstein and, more recently, Kittisaro and Thanissara through their Dharmapala program. Jon also studied contemplative care at the Zen Center for Contemplative Care and completed the Integrated Study and Practice program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. He is a certified MBSR teacher and teacher trainer and a Somatic Experience Practitioner®. In response to the pandemic, he and his partner, Upayadhi, launched the Space2Meditate community, offering daily meditation since March 2020. Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast Diggin’ the Dharma with scholar Doug Smith, now in its third season. JonAaron.net