It's really nice to enjoy a morning meditation with Kadam Morton…read more He is very knowledgeable and can really help you Cultivate a Buddha mind. Stick with it , it definitely works. They're also special workshops on the weekends . This is really one of the most special places in the city. It's great to catch an hour Meditation and then do all the other things that you wanna do on the island!

My experience at Kadampa Meditation Center was more than I'd hoped for. While I went for a…read moremeditation program, it was more than that. The extraordinary monk who presided was brilliant and kind. I will go there often.

Whoever was running that cafe had zero sense of urgency and then I found a hair in my coffeeread more

I love Three Jewels The food is so delicious & everyone is…read morewarm & kind. It's a great place to organize your things

Celebrating our sister Rose's bday with a sound bowl healing session (something she was into before…read moreshe passed). It was the perfect way to honor her, and it helped us get through the day in a special way. It was a group session (they offer private), and there must've been 15 people there on a Friday Noon. Nice experience. Nice people attended.

*ABUSE WARNING* Dangerous! Do not go here if you have suffered any serious trauma. I attended a…read more"guilt and shame" sound bath where the "instructor" was saying incredibly traumatic things to people seeking help. One woman said she felt "guilty about the father she chose for her children" and this horrible abusive instructor told her "your kids chose their parents this is their bad karma to work through". This is twisted faux spiritual victim blaming. To anyone who suffered childhood abuse to be only to blamed for their own abuse DO NOT GO HERE.

Just what a Meditation Center should be... Friendly, open, relaxed and amicable. You can sense the…read morepositive energy and peaceful nature of the place. I was there for a retreat with an external Teacher, and found it a place that I would seek to frequent if I lived in NYC.

I'm a huge fan of many of the teachers and practices here and have had a deep meditation practice…read morefor many years personally. But I have to say that I haven't come nearly as often as I would because the prices for workshops are a bit too prohibitive for those of us who are engaged in "right livelihoods" (they do offer scaled pricing). It seems that their market is more for lawyers, bankers, therapists, and retirees who are trying to find themselves. I've gone to a few of the Brooklyn sangha meetings and it was definitely not a welcoming group. That said, some great classes are offered here. If you can sit through the obstructive street noise and surprising dinginess of the space, maybe you will appreciate its historical relevance. After all, so many people have meditated on those hard wood floors, for so many years, against that exposed brick wall, those huge open windows, and those enormous plants. Who cares if the bathroom is perpetually broken and you're paying half a month's rent for a series of classes?

Sage + Sound 's Flagship location is on 3rd bet. 83rd & 84th Street on the Upper Eastside of…read moreManhattan. After attending a Sage + Sound Sound Bath via a pop-up event last month (it was good seeing you Kathy!), it prompted me to book an actual class @ Sage + Sound at the above stated location. I was immediately interested in the Gong Sound Experience & booking the class online was pretty easy. Sage + Sound has Services, Classes, wellness products, etc. Services include Facials, Massages, Acupuncture, Nail Care via the Nail Salon by Sundays, etc. Classes include Meditation, Sound Experiences, Workshops, etc. Sage + Sounds sells body, hair, skin, products, etc. Once I arrived at Sage + Sound, I received warm greetings via the Receptionist. She explained the various sections - I walked into their cute café, saw the seating area, the nail salon, etc. I was informed that personal belongings are to be placed in the unlocked / unsecured closet area....the communal space where belongings are stored has shelves. Although I put my bag & sneakers in there, I opted to take my wallet & cell phone (turned off of course) into the class. Sage + Sound would benefit from investing in getting individual secured compartments (ex. Lockers - even if people need to bring their own lock, drawers, etc.) where patrons belongings are safely stored & locked away. This would prevent any potential theft of patrons belongings & let patrons feel good knowing their items are safe. The Gong Sound Experience w/ Samer Ghadry was a 1 hr. Class - It was amazing! Sage + Sound's Class / Floor set-up was so comfortable. Everyone laid on their own individual bedding / padding areas w/ a standard blanket & had an eye mask for use. Sage + Sound only had a couple of knitted weighted blankets - it would have been great if they had one for each individual that registered for the class. For a $55 Class, each person should have had an knitted weighted blanket to use if they chose to do so. Samer is an exceptional Instructor w/ such a calm & soothing voice that put me in a immediate relaxed state from the moment he began speaking. The gong sounds, the breathwork, the soothing chant sounds, etc. made for a fantastic experience. Nothing but peacefulness & tranquility. Please check out Samer's Instagram @samerghadry Samer also has a YouTube channel. Sage + Sound Website has information on their classes, workshops, products, services, etc. There are also Class Packages. sage-sound.com @sageandsoundnyc Sage + Sound Hours of Operation: Mon. - Thurs. - 9am - 7:30pm Fri. - 9am - 9pm Sat. & Sun. - 9am - 7pm

Sage and Sound is three businesses in one location. The Isle of Us Cafe, Sage and Sound massage,…read moreacupuncture, wellness shop, facials, eyebrow therapy, and Tuesday's nail salon. The place is huge. I was there on Mother's Day. Depending on where you enter you may not see the reception and appointment desk for the spa offerings. When I went back to the nail salon I was sent to the reception desk to make an appointment. There's more than one location for Sage and Sound. This is the Flagship location. My only complaint was with the many employees at the reception desk. It would have been nice if I was greeted. I would have been pleased to have a tour of the whole area. It certainly is odd that you can wander around without supervision. I recommend you treat yourself to a pedicure. Don't wait for Mother's Day. The nail salon was the most crowded area in the whole business!

What's the frequency Kenneth? Actually, that was a 1994 song by REM…read more The Frequency I experienced was a Wellness space located on 27th Street that includes daily classes geared toward "emotional well-being, to expand consciousness and to reconnect to our shared humanity". One of the goals is to also reconnect with yourself. I was not aware of its existence until my friend sent me a link and suggested to check out a class with her. Classes run at $27, but they also have package deals. The theme of the class we took was about Love, including self love. What was fascinating about Frequency was that their classes are held in the most cozy dome. Once you enter the dome for class, it becomes your safe space. We got started with subtle breathing techniques as the facilitator prepared to play a recording that guided us throughout the exercise. The ceiling of the dome was unique as colorful geometric shapes continuously played making me feel hypnotic. The class lasted for an hour and it was a very small group, just 4 including the facilitator. There were mini exercises that had us partner up. I was with my friend and felt comfortable but if you're going alone, expect to open up with a stranger. Some of the words I'd use to describe the class would be: meditation, visualization, deep breathing and affirmations. The lecture was wonderful and I felt very relaxed once it was over with a sense of calmness and serenity. I think $27 for a one hour class might be a tad high but i really enjoyed the experience. But like other regimens such as yoga, the gym and meditation, it is encouraged to visit Frequency regularly to reap the benefits. Definitely recommend!!

Came into NY for a weekend & decided to try a breath work class for the first time...so glad I did!…read moreIt was amazing & I loved how intimate it was & the dome. Also they provide blankets& pillows !! Wish I lived closer to become a frequent visitor

I love TM - i have been practicing it since March 2022 and it is very relaxing…read more I do recommend the practice 100% and also this location in Midtown, the TM teachers in there are very supportive and helpful.

My decision to receive TM training at the Midtown Manhattan Center under the tutelage of Jonathan…read moreGoldstein, has totally transformed my enjoyment of life. I was born and raised in a very rural and tranquil area in north western Ireland, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the lush green hills of my home county of Donegal. It is very easy to find peace there. But in October 2016, I married a New Yorker and soon afterwards found myself in Jackson Heights, Queens - one of the busiest, most densely populated and diverse neighborhoods in the world. That change came as quite a shock. I found the long immigration process to be quite frustrating. During the winter months, I was missing Ireland, struggling to adapt to life in such a busy city, and knew that I needed some sort of change in my life. I was feeling a little stressed, was having trouble sleeping, and was generally experiencing decreased motivation and creativity. Getting good quality sleep was a continual problem. I found TM online, and enrolled for a free non-committal introductory talk in March 2017. I instantly decided to take the training, and it has turned out to be an excellent decision. I thoroughly enjoyed the week-long training program. I found the center to be very relaxing, and the quality of teaching on offer was first class. I could not possibly have asked for better training/mentoring. As for the TM itself, I felt immediate benefits, and now, three months later, having practiced TM twice daily ever since, I feel completely rejuvenated. I sleep as soon as I go to bed, and wake feeling refreshed, positive, very confident about the future, and despite the fast-paced nature of life in New York, I feel calm and assured. Perhaps the best thing I can say about TM is that it is effortless. Previously, when I was presented with a problem or a challenge, (just I suspect like many other people), I would think and think in the hopes of finding a solution. TM has taught me that I don't need to think harder to find solutions to life's problems. In fact, I should do the opposite. TM allows me to switch my thoughts off, and this innately triggers a sense of complete stillness, which brings so many benefits to my life. The realization that I can do this, and delve into the boundless possibilities and creative opportunities that come from TM is a complete revelation. I would thoroughly recommend TM training at the Midtown Manhattan Center.

Brooklyn Animal Action helped out with our first ever rescue and foster crew, and I've been…read moregrateful ever since. We love connecting foster/rescue cats to the right forever homes. BAA is great at working with adopters to find the right pet to fit their space, and also working locally to manage feral cat communities.

I was trained in TM at this Center by the co-director Kelly McKay. The group I trained with seemed…read moreto share my sentiment that it was wonderful experience to begin our practice here and to join a community. The class size was small and there are plenty of feedback mechanisms in place throughout the course (and after) so that all your questions are addressed. There are opportunities after the class to practice at the Center with fellow practitioners at all levels, follow up with your teacher for technique checkings and participate in the community through performances and gatherings. So far, it's been a joy to be part of the practice, and to know that there is a beautiful, comfortable local space (filled with fresh flowers!) to visit when I want to practice in a more communal space.

Some people really like this temple, and that's fine. I didn't. Why wear Japanese clothing?…read more We're not in Japan, and most of aren't even Japanese. It seems like they're deliberately making this place feel alien so people have to really buy into their way of engaging with Buddhism. It seems a bit too performative, like I'm worrying more about the rituals and being accepted into the club rather than engaging with my mind and relating to other people in an authentic way. That kind of pull is not good. These are just my two cents. I don't want to sound like I'm trashing it. It might be exactly what you're looking for.

Short version: odd experience, some of which was within the temple's control and some was not. If…read morethis experience turned you off, do not allow it to define your experience of Zen or Buddhism, because this was a particular manifestation that made me rather uncomfortable and did not seem representative of the practice at large. Noticeable lack of diversity in the actual students, though the public crowd was more mixed. I guess the intentions are good though. Liturgy and sutra chanting is done in English, which is an understandable choice - I guess you want folks to understand what they are chanting. But if you have ever been to a temple where chanting is done in one of the languages where the tradition of Buddhism first developed and flourished (i.e. i.e. Japanese/Chinese/Sanskrit), you'll notice that the syllabic and tonal structure of those languages creates a particularly beautiful aesthetic for chanting which is largely lost in English. The translations were also rather awkward and I found myself more focused on the lack of congruence in the whole situation than the actual content of the sutras, which is unfortunate. A very helpful gentleman was walking up and down the aisle and making sure everyone was on the correct page, which was very considerate. A lady next to me, who'd clearly been before as she had all the liturgies memorized, seemed to take particular pride and zeal in butchering the pronunciation of names when we were reading through the ancestor line. I get that foreign languages are difficult and that human speech patterns are largely set after childhood, and that there's no malice in mispronouncing something, but you'd think a little humility would be called for if you know you're about to pronounce something that you're likely to screw up. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Beginning instruction for zazen meditation was good. They provide you with pillows and cushions and introduce you to various poses. I thought the tone was appropriate and approachable for beginners. However, I perceived the meditation leaders to be overly judgmental during the actual meditation session (which, given the foundational belief that all is simply a construction within your mind and judgement is one of the building blocks of suffering, is rather ironic). The instruction is to sit still, but inevitably people want to cough, or shift around, or scratch their nose. When this happened I would catch the leaders looking around or leaning slightly in one direction or another to see who the "culprit" was, and at some point one of them called out, in a particularly harsh tone, for people to sit still. The general seriousness and gravity with which parts of the ritual are carried out (such as the bringing in of the reading podium) seem to have missed the point that all is temporary. You'd think a funeral was happening here. Lastly - and this is what really ruined the experience for me - my boyfriend had left his glasses on his cushion, and at some point during the walking meditation, they were broken. Again, there is a sad irony in the fact that something was carelessly broken during an exercise that was meant to be about mindfulness in walking - literally, feeling the movement of your foot, the placement on the ground, the shifting of balance, the movement of your joints, etc. I find it hard to believe that the breaking of a pair of glasses could have been missed in such a quiet, deliberate, concentrated exercise, and if someone was aware that it happened, I was profoundly disappointed by the fact that they simply left them there without claiming responsibility. But - all is temporary, judgement causes pain, attachment is the root of all suffering. So I'll let go of the glasses, I'll let go of the awkward English sutra chanting, I'll let go of the fact that people looked waaaaaaay too serious, and I'll let go of this experience. :)

My trip to Maharaja Temple, on March 24, 2023. Grand street…read morestop on D train was where I got off. It was 5 minutes walk from the station to the temple. I was ecstatic and very curious, wanting to explore this temple. Pic 1 Once I got out of the station, I saw this wonderful mural of a rabbit. This is the year of the rabbit and an amazing artist exhibited his artwork beautifully. It was a bright, colorful picturesque, and to me, symbolized a yearning for the forthcoming spring, waited so long by many people. Pic 2 I'd reached the front enterance of the temple, saying to myself "what a magnificent temple." There were many foreigners coming in and out of it. A little history about Maharaja Temple. It was founded in 1962 and is the oldest Chinese temple on the eastern coast of the United States. It was initially founded to fulfilled the needs of Chinese Buddhist in the greater New York area. Now, it is open to the public. Pic 3 As I entered the temple, I saw red color everywhere. I lit the incense and went over to pray to the beautiful Buddha. Pic 4. As I entered further into the temple, I was astounded to see this enormous statue of the Golden Grand Buddha. He was adorned with, what looked like, fire behind his head, and fresh flowers infront of him. I stood there, in awe, and felt so tiny compared to him. And again, there was red everywhere. To my amazement, I stopped and asked a Chinese women passing by, what does the red color means? She said that it means good luck for the people. I wasn't satisfied with her answer, so I looked this up online. It said that red has been Chinese's color of power, celebration, fertility, prosperity, and repelling evil. That covered everything. From now on, red is my favorite color. Pic 5. The exhibitions of the History of Buddhism was displayed with pictures of Buddha with captions on the bottom of each picture. There were 32 pictures alltogether, that lined each side of the walls. Buddhism is believing in faith, so much needed for humanity. Pic 6. I was satisfied viewing everything and decided to head out. Before I reached the train station, I stopped at a local market on Grand street and bought a big Bass Bonanza. He was very fresh. I looked into his cleared, lucid eyes, and he starred back at me, suspiciously, not sure of his future. I finally went home. Chow!!

I hope I'm not asking for too much but it is much smaller than I expected based on the grand…read moreexterior. There are only 2 statues inside. You are allowed to light one incense for the first statue at the entrance, but no photo and incense allowed after that. It is quiet inside but it was hard to feel zen at the center of Chinatown and across from the Manhattan Bridge. What I really like is the big bowl of paper predictions. There is a note saying if you donate $1 you can take one. Make a wish and choose your paper!