Admission at the Peace Pagoda is free and I believe it is open until dusk…read more After parking, there is a decent little hike to get to the grounds. The path is not paved and is not stroller friendly so keep that in mind if you have young kids or mobility concerns. For handicapped individuals, you can carefully drive all the way up to the temple. There is no official parking there but there is room to park. Once you arrive, you'll find a Buddhist peace pagoda, a temple, a pond, a zen garden, and other peaceful areas to explore. The pagoda was built in 1985 and expanded over the years. You can spend 20 minutes here or hours depending on your state of mind. I've been coming here for over 20 years and it's still one of my favorite places to slow down. The koi pond with the lily pads and frogs is always a highlight. I brought my 6 year old son and he was in awe of the temple, the monk drumming, and the quiet nature of the area. He kept talking about it afterward and said it was one of his favorite places he has been to in a while. The pond area almost has a maze like quality to it and the trees behind the grounds feel like a forest waiting to be explored so he especially loved exploring the grounds. Visitors can go inside the temple but keep in mind there are prayer times and other events happening. This is an active spiritual place so people should be quiet and respectful while visiting. There is no food available and I am not sure about public bathrooms. Expect little to no cell service, not just here but in Leverett in general.

A lovely pastoral setting to reflect, and meditate, the Peace Pagoda has lovely rock garden, and…read morethe temple is beautiful. The atmosphere around the compound, shrines, and ponds is one of complete serenity. Prayer ceremonies take place in the early morning, and the evening. It was great learning that there was this lovely Buddhist temple located in the area that we were traveling. Your GPS is your friend to find this wonderful serine location, it is difficult to find without...

First of all, a disclaimer of sorts ... I am one of the long time students of Sensei Louis…read moreJumonville. I have been training with him for over 10 years and have been enjoying every minute of it. Louis Sensei is an incredible teacher. He is very detailed, yet sees the big picture. Sensei also finds time to spend with his students, during, before or after class to improve one's technique. In addition, students, including myself, also have more senior students to provide others with guidance. Hikari Dojo provides a very supportive, safe, and friendly environment to train and make good friends. Hikari Dojo has a beautiful space conveniently near freeway access. The mats are quite comfortable and clean. We have classes 5-6 days a week, allowing folks with challenging work schedules like me, to enjoy class when one can. Lastly, in choosing aikido as a martial art over others: I have briefly practiced Judo and Tai Chi in the past, but Aikido is one that moves with me as I change through the years. I started practicing aikido as physical exercise, but through the years, as my body and psyche changed, I found that aikido is still as relevant. Hikari Dojo is a very traditional Japanese dojo - which means that your spiritual growth is equally important. Through the years, with aikido's help, I connect and hear myself better, and I also connect and hear others better ... but I still have a long way to go. Aikido is a journey, not a destination, as life itself should be. - Jem S-W

Here's my disclaimer: I started in martial arts in April of…read more2001 with Jumonville Sensei, and I remain with him to this day. I plan to stay with him as long as we both can still train, because the teaching he imparts is, quite simply, extraordinary. I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and training with Aikido instructors from around the world. We are, after all, a Community of dedicated individuals. There are some truly amazing Senseis out there, and I would never wish to compare. I will, however, say that at Hikari Dojo, we learn in a way that is traditional yet progressive, disciplined but fun, and group-oriented while remaining very personalized. It's about as Yen and Yang as you can get! For me personally, the benefits of Aikido have been tremendous. I'm no "spring chicken," but I am more flexible and in better shape than I was 10 years ago, mentally as well as physically. I should also mention that the kid's class is wonderful. I am constantly amazed at how much fun they have while learning the beautiful movements, building confidence and developing the fundamentals of self-defense. If you've managed to read this far, you should probably consider coming in to check it out. You're obviously interested in getting into a martial art. This just might be the one for you. Who knows? You just might be my new favorite training partner! I look forward to seeing you on the mat. Tim P

I took my first 10 day course there in 2009 and my life improved in every way. Life has been a…read moreblissful journey since for which I'm forever grateful. If you're reading this or thinking about it know that the journey to yourself is the best path you can take and here in this great state of Massachusetts its offered free of charge. Best things in life are indeed free. Thank you Goenka and the entire Vipassana organization. A Happy Will.

I'm writing this as a concerned parent after my daughter attended a 10-day Vipassana retreat at…read moreDhamma Dhara. Before attending, she was loving, connected, and in close contact with our family. After the retreat, there was an immediate and complete cutoff in communication with all of us--something entirely out of character and deeply painful. The staff were kind when I reached out, and I respect that many benefit from this practice. However, I don't believe there is enough awareness about how intense 10 days of silence and deep introspection can be, especially for someone already going through major life changes. When such a drastic shift happens so suddenly, it raises real concerns about vulnerability, influence, and lack of support during reintegration. Families should be aware and prepared for possible unexpected changes. If my daughter ever reads this: you are loved, missed, and always welcome back

If you are looking to build chi, work with the breath, and ultimately find peace centered in an…read moreopen heart and a balanced body, I highly recommend Lynn's classes. Her practice is deep and spirit-filled.

I very much enjoy Lynne's Yoga and Healing Arts Workshops. Having been a student of Lynne's for…read moreseveral years, I can, with confidence, give her a five star rating. The Yoga, Tai Chi, and Medical Qigong programs heal and relax both body and spirit. Some of the many benefits of these healing arts are stress reduction, increase range of motion and flexibility, enhanced breathing techniques, and improved balance. A fit for all ages!

Great place to meditate and meet others who are interested in a contemplative lifestyle. Beautiful…read morespace right near Haymarket and across from Thorne's

This center has been around the Northampton/Amherst area since about 1977, I hear. If I had known…read morehow much they offer, I'd have explored it much earlierthan I did. Although I've just been exploring for a short time now, this is my take: Warm, empowering, and deeply penetrating approach to meditation, and its affect on society, one's individual life, and the arts. Free (!?!) meditation instruction is available, both beginning and ongoing, if requested. I attended an open house, which seems to be a monthly thing. I meet with a meditation instructor that I clicked with, about once a month, to talk about my practice experience. Their web site shows the diversity and accessibility of their program offerings. Well worth the effort to check it out.

It's so wonderful to have a mindfulness/ meditation spot right here in Amherst. I was always…read morecurious about mindfulness and was welcomed into the classes and made to feel right at home. I took 2 courses and look forward to more. It has changed my life and attitude, and has given my life a deeper meaning. Shaking is the best instructor and makes it all seem so easy. So if you've ever thought about it, don't wait! NAMASTE!

From the owner: In addition to classes in downtown Amherst, online Classes available for the summer months: please…read morevisit my website to learn more about an assisted, yet autonomous journey into mindfulness training to improve 8 qualities of your mind including: The ability to see clearly, with compassion, curiosity, energy, joy, inner calm, focus, and balance. Develop mindfulness wherever you are, with a Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Search Inside Yourself (program that started at Google)teacher.

The Providence Zen Center is an incredible, healing place. I stayed there for a month in 2022 and…read moreit was a transformative experience. Everyone in the community is so incredibly kind. The mission of the Providence Zen Center is just simply to focus on compassion and practice meditation. That's it. And if by being more compassionate, learning to be more in the moment, learning to be focused and in control of our minds can help make the world a better place and help others, then heck yeah I'm going to keep doing that! I truly believe that people should at least visit the Providence Zen Center once, either on Wednesday nights at 5:30pm for dinner and meditation instruction and practice, or come check out the Sunday morning meditation instruction/practice at 9:00am and the Dharma (wisdom) talk led by a Dharma Teacher at 10:45am. The grounds are beautiful (there is a LOT of space to wander), the people are awesome, and they're even working on doing organic farming! I helped take care of plants when I stayed there. They've been selling their homegrown vegetables in farmer's markets after harvesting. The goodness they put into the local and greater community is immeasurable! It's a nonprofit organization too, so if you donate anything, it's tax-deductible. I sincerely hope that the Providence Zen Center can thrive but that can only happen if people continue to visit and join practice! So if you're looking for a place to grow your mindfulness, your compassion, and your meditation practice, look no further, this is the place for you :)

It has great energy there. Lots of beautiful flowers, plants and trees in lovely gardens. Kind…read moregentle people, absolutely amazing meditation. You have to try. Once you come, you will feel. They serve very delicious homemade vegetarian meal at 5:30 pm on Wednesday. They teach you how to meditate at 9:00 am on Sunday.

Having had it suggested to take a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class, finding this offered in…read moremy new home town of Northampton--I couldn't resist the trial first class. Though it was happening the night I learned of it. So very glad I did. The leader/teacher Jean Erlbaum gently led us through the 8-week class (on Tuesday nights) and the additional "retreat" on one Sunday, to instruct us on various skills we might use for our practice. Always professional, but also always kind and accepting, Jean was a wonderful teacher and so much so, my husband called to ask when she might offer the class next time.