Past Courses

2023 - Fall Courses

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Meditation for Every Day
Meditation for Every Day

Strengthening your daily meditation practice

October 11th - December 20th (10 classes)

• Wednesdays: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET

• Led by Gene Bobker and Tom Pantaleoni

• Open to all, regardless of background

• Location: The Aligned Center, Irvington, NY

• Suggested offering: $80*

Meditation shows us how to work with our minds when we can’t control what’s going on around us, and it connects us with others who experience the same feelings and difficulties we have faced ourselves. Through meditation, we develop friendliness and humor toward ourselves, our lives, and the world around us. In this course, we will discuss meditation techniques, individual home practice, learn what is meant by mindfulness and awareness, and how to grow into and celebrate a lifelong practice of meditation.

The Heart of Wakefulness
The Heart of Wakefulness

A Profound Treasury Series Intermediate Course

September 13th – December 13th, 2023 (10 Classes)

• Wednesdays: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET

• Led by Derek Kolleeny

• Meeting online via Zoom

• Suggested offering: $180*

An in-depth exploration of the two most important features of mahayana buddhism—the discovery of buddha nature within and the ensuing cultivation of bodhicitta, the aspiration to bring all sentient beings to Buddhahood.

Exploring Dharma Art
Exploring Dharma Art

Thursdays, September 14, 2023 - December 7, 2023

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Classes meet virtually on Zoom

Please join us in an exploration of the rich world of Dharma art inspired by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s book True Perception, the Path of Dharma Art. Through readings, discussion, and hands-on activities we will explore the creative process and awakened mind characterized by directness, unselfconsciousness, and nonaggression. Trungpa Rinpoche emphasized the importance of "art in everyday life" - bringing out the goodness and dignity of any situation, attending to detail, and working with the senses to appreciate things as they are.

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Insight, Wisdom, and The Path
Insight, Wisdom, and The Path

Sundays, April 16th - July 30th, 2023

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Classes meet virtually on Zoom

This course is based upon the book, The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma by Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche studying the core teachings of Buddhism. We explore the four noble truths, karma, meditation practice, refuge vows, ego and egolessness, and the practice of meditation. This semester will focus on insight, wisdom, and the path.

 

2022 Courses

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Embracing this Present Life
Embracing this Present Life

Sundays, September 11 – December 18, 2022

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET

Meets in person at the Aligned Center

Please join us on Sunday mornings for a community gathering involving meditation practice, readings, and discussion. The theme of this season of Open House is Embracing this Present Life, inspired by the book Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chodron, published by Shambhala Publications.

Drop-ins welcome

The Path of Individual Liberation
The Path of Individual Liberation

Sundays, September 11 – December 18, 2022

Class starts at 12:30 PM ET

Meets in person & virtually on Zoom weekly.

Please join us on The Path of Individual Liberation, a year-long course based upon the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche exploring the foundation of the Buddhist spiritual path with an emphasis on personal development through meditation and study. This first semester will focus on the reality of suffering, the nature of mind, ego, and the possibility of liberation through a meaningful commitment to meditation practice and study.

Virtual drop-ins welcome

Exploring Vajrayana, Part One: The Path of Natural Wakefulness
Exploring Vajrayana, Part One: The Path of Natural Wakefulness

Wednesdays, September 14 – December 14, 2022

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET

Meets virtually on Zoom with monthly in-person discussion groups.

Please join us as we explore the Path of Natural Wakefulness through the advanced teachings of the Vajrayana. With this final and culminating segment, our Foundation Curriculum now presents all three “yanas” or levels of the authentic path of mindfulness-awareness meditation and insight as originally described by the Buddha and expertly transmitted to the West by one of the great Tibetan masters of our time—Chogyam Trungpa.

Virtual drop-ins welcome

Naturally Empty
Naturally Empty

Wednesdays, May 11-July 27, 2022

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET

Meets virtually on Zoom.

Led by: Derek Kolleeny & Tom Pantaleoni

This Spring/Summer we invite you to continue your exploration of the profound and vast tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. In this course we plan to focus on the cultivation of wisdom with an exploration of the famous yet extremely elusive notion of emptiness. We will primarily focus on a simple and straightforward presentation of the method for identifying the object that is negated when we understand emptiness in the book Introduction to Emptiness by Guy Newland with supplemental readings from Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and Shenpen Hookham and additional selected readings from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

Virtual drop-ins welcome

Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (Semester 3)
Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (Semester 3)

Sundays, Apr. 24 to July 24, 2022

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

Meets in-person and virtually on Zoom.

With Jane Kolleeny & Charlie Olson

Please join us for the third and final semester of our Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha course, a foundational curriculum presenting the authentic path of mindfulness-awareness meditation and insight as originally described by the Buddha and expertly transmitted to the West by one of the great Tibetan masters of our time, Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche.

Virtual drop-ins welcome.

 

Fall Courses and Discussion Groups 2021

 
Featured
Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha, Semester One
Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha, Semester One

Sundays, Sept. 12 to Dec. 5, 2021

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

Meets virtually on Zoom.

With Jane Kolleeny & Charlie Olson

Join us as we explore the authentic path of meditation and insight as originally described by the Buddha and skillfully transmitted to the West by one of the great Tibetan masters of our time, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. We will explore such topics as the life of the Buddha, the birth of confusion and suffering, karma, and the path back to sanity, focusing on the techniques and stages of meditation and bringing practice into daily life. 

Virtual drop-ins welcome.

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The Profound Treasury Series, Semester 4
The Profound Treasury Series, Semester 4

Sundays, starting September 12, 2021

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

Led by: Gene Bobker and Andrea Sherman

This intermediate course, The Profound Treasury Series, Semester 4, is a continuation of last year’s course, The Path of Individual Liberation. For the fall, participants are invited to complete volume one of The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma (PTOD), The Path of Individual Liberation, and start volume two of The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion. We are delighted to welcome back PTOD participants for the fourth semester.

Prerequisites apply

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Contemporary Buddhist Wisdom
Contemporary Buddhist Wisdom

Wednesdays, Sept. 15 - Dec. 15

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET

Meets virtually on Zoom.

Led by: Jane and Derek Kolleeny, Gene Bobker, and all the other WMC teachers.

This course explores the practical advice, wisdom, and inspiration of broad and diverse range of contemporary Buddhist teachers representative of its three major traditions—Theravadin, Zen and Tibetan.

Virtual drop-ins welcome

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Spring Courses and Discussion Groups 2021

 
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Wednesday Night Book Course: The Path of the Great Eastern Sun
Wednesday Night Book Course: The Path of the Great Eastern Sun

Part Three: Great Eastern Sun, the Wisdom of Shambhala

Ten Wednesdays, May 19, to July 28, 2021

7 - 9 pm ET

Led by Derek Kolleeny & Warner Dick

Open to those who studied Shambhala, Sacred Path of the Warrior with us in Part Two of this series or an equivalent.

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Introductory Book Course: Healing the Divide, Finding Common Ground in a Polarized World
Introductory Book Course: Healing the Divide, Finding Common Ground in a Polarized World

Sundays, April 25 - July 27, 2021

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

The Aligned Center & Online via Zoom

This meditation course is based on the book, Welcoming the Unwelcome, Wholehearted Living In A Brokenhearted World by Pema Chödrön

We will explore what it takes to strengthen our ability to communicate with candor, even when we disagree.

Led by Jane Kolleeny and Charles Olson

Drop-ins welcome

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Intermediate Book Course: The Path of Individual Liberation, Semester 3
Intermediate Book Course: The Path of Individual Liberation, Semester 3

Sundays, March 28 - June 13, 2021

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

  • A thorough exploration of the vast Buddhist teachings presented by Chogyam Trungpa, focusing on The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One.

  • Led by Gene Bobker and Andrea Sherman.

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Monthly Discussion Group: Aging for Beginners
Monthly Discussion Group: Aging for Beginners

The First Sunday of the Month

2:45-4 pm ET

  • Join our monthly discussion group as we explore the journey of life and death from a Buddhist Perspective. We will use the book Making Friends with Death: A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality by Judy Lief.

  • Led by Kevin Gormley and Andrea Sherman.

Read More →
 

Winter Courses and Discussion Groups 2021

 
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Community Book Course: The Path of the Great Eastern Sun
Community Book Course: The Path of the Great Eastern Sun

Part Two: Shambhala, Sacred Path of the Warrior

Eight Wednesdays. Starting February 24, 2021 (7 - 9 pm ET)

Led by Derek Kolleeny and Warner Dick

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Introductory Book Course: Going Beyond Our Comfort Zone - Examining the Places that Scare Us
Introductory Book Course: Going Beyond Our Comfort Zone - Examining the Places that Scare Us

Sundays, Jan. 17 - April 11, 2021

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

This meditation course will be based on the book, The Places That Scare You, A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times, by Pema Chodron.

  • Please join us for an experiential exploration of cultivating fearlessness in difficult times. We will explore this excellent book on awakening our own self-awareness, while also extending our best intentions towards others

  • Led by Jane Kolleeny and Charles Olson

  • Drop-ins welcome

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Intermediate Book Course: The Path of Individual Liberation, Semester 2
Intermediate Book Course: The Path of Individual Liberation, Semester 2

Sundays, Jan. 10 - March 21, 2021

12:30 - 2:30 PM ET

  • A thorough exploration of the vast Buddhist teachings presented by Chogyam Trungpa, focusing on The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One.

  • Led by Gene Bobker and Andrea Sherman.

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Community Book Course: The Path of the Great Eastern Sun
Community Book Course: The Path of the Great Eastern Sun

Jan. 21 - Feb. 17 classes at The Wisdom Seat

6:30-8:30 pm ET

Feb 24: WMC classes resume, registration coming soon

7-9 pm ET

  • In this course we will explore Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings on the cultivation of compassion and the development of individual and societal enlightenment.

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Monthly Open House Talks
Monthly Open House Talks

The Second Wednesday of Every Month

7 - 9 pm ET

These Open House Talks are a perfect opportunity for new practitioners and students interested in checking out our practice, path and community, and for more seasoned students to introduce your friends and relatives to your dharma world.

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Monthly Discussion Group: Aging for Beginners
Monthly Discussion Group: Aging for Beginners

The First Sunday of the Month

2:45-4 pm ET

  • Join our monthly discussion group as we explore the journey of life and death from a Buddhist Perspective. We will use the book Making Friends with Death: A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality by Judy Lief.

  • Led by Kevin Gormley and Andrea Sherman.

Read More →
 

Fall Courses and Discussion Groups 2020

 
Featured
Sunday Introductory Course: Things Have Fallen Apart!
Sunday Introductory Course: Things Have Fallen Apart!

12 classes from Sept. 27 through Dec. 20, 2020 (12:30 - 2:30PM ET)

This meditation course will be based on the book, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice For Difficult Times, by Pema Chodron.

  • For those just beginning to explore the path of meditation and as well as all of those who are mature enough on that path to know that the most basic teachings are also the most profound and helpful to return to over and over again

  • Led by Jane Kolleeny and Charles Olson

  • Drop-ins welcome

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Intermediate Book Course: The Path of Individual Liberation, Semester 1
Intermediate Book Course: The Path of Individual Liberation, Semester 1

Sundays, September 20 through December 20, 2020, omitting Nov. 29

(12:30 - 2:30PM ET)

A thorough exploration of the vast Buddhist teachings presented by Chogyam Trungpa, focusing on The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One. Led by Gene Bobker and Andrea Sherman.

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Community Book Course: The Teachings of Shambhala
Community Book Course: The Teachings of Shambhala

Wednesdays, Sept. 16 - Jan. 6

7-9 pm ET

Oct 7 - 28 at The Wisdom Seat

6:30-8:30 pm ET

  • In this course we will explore Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings on the cultivation of compassion and the development of individual and societal enlightenment.

  • The focus will be on his books Smile at Fear, with Derek Kolleeny and Warner Dick, and Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior hosted by our sister organization The Wisdom Seat and featuring Judy Lief, Carolyn Gimian and many others!

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Monthly Discussion Group: Aging for Beginners
Monthly Discussion Group: Aging for Beginners

The First Sunday of Every Month

2:45-4 pm ET

  • Join our monthly discussion group as we explore the journey of life and death from a Buddhist Perspective. We will use the book Making Friends with Death: A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality by Judy Lief.

  • Led by Kevin Gormley and Andrea Sherman.

Read More →
Monthly Open House Talks
Monthly Open House Talks

The Second Wednesday of Every Month

7 - 9 pm ET

These Open House Talks are a perfect opportunity for new practitioners and students interested in checking out our practice, path and community, and for more seasoned students to introduce your friends and relatives to your dharma world.

Read More →
 
Featured
Monthly Practice and Study Group - Sadhana of Mahamudra
Monthly Practice and Study Group - Sadhana of Mahamudra

Join us for an evening of group practice and study!

7-9 pm ET

The Sadhana of Mahamudra, a liturgical practice composed by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1968, expresses the essence of the Vidyadhara’s dharma transmission to the West.

  • Meets the second Thursday of the month.

  • Led by Derek Kolleeny

  • Open to all. By donation.

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