Events

May 1 - 31, 2012 9pm

Every evening at 9pm in the month of May Kusala will open it's doors to everyone for the practice of Metta meditation. This practice builds in a powerful way universal love and compassion in one's heart. This will in turn effect how we speak and how we act in the world. Growing love at Kusala…. come join us, your life will change for the better. See this article that shows scientific research on the benefits of Metta.

May 17th 7pm-8:30pm

$20

Friends! Earthlings! Humans! Who are we, and why are we here in this life, in this world? And how did we get into the mess we’re in? In this widely acclaimed comic monologue, Wes `Scoop’ Nisker explores the foolish human condition and the joys and sorrows of living in the modern age. By placing today’s headlines in the context of biological evolution and all of human history, Mr. Nisker offers us the relief and laughter that only vast perspectives can bring. This is comedy for the rest of us.

“Deeply wise, wonderfully insightful, delightfully humorous.” --Utne Reader

“His performance, laced with his original songs, manages to make suffering a knee-slapper. He delivers Zen zingers with Borsht Belt timing.” -- New York Times

“Brilliant, original, consciousness expanding, profound, mysterious and very funny. Oh, the audacious joy of crazy wisdom! What more could you ask?” --Jack Kornfield, Buddhist teacher and author

"Scoop's show is not just crazy. It is wisdom, exactly the kind we need today. It points to satiric truths about science, the American empire, and the humanoid condition. Also, the show is very, very funny." --Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet

“This show is fantastic and hilarious.” --Ram Dass

“Scoop Nisker is the missing link between sit-down meditation and stand up comedy.” --Paul Krassner, editor of the Realist

Wes “Scoop” Nisker is a teacher of Buddhist meditation, an author, radio commentator, and performer. His books include the bestselling classicEssential Crazy Wisdom; The Big Bang, The Buddha, and the Baby Boom;Buddha’s Nature; and Crazy Wisdom Saves the World Again! Wes is also the founder and co-editor of the international Buddhist journal “Inquiring Mind.” He is an affiliate teacher at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, and does regular workshops at Esalen Institute and other venues. For the past several years Wes has been performing a comic monologue entitled Crazy Wisdom Saves the World Again! which was recently staged at the esteemed Berkeley Repertory theater. Wes’s famous tag line is: “If you don’t like the news, go out and make some of your own.”
Website: http://www.wesnisker.com or http://www.scoopnisker.com.

May 19th 12pm-5pm

$25-$35 sliding scale

In this afternoon workshop we will look at the issues that trouble us in our daily lives, both internal and external. We will explore self-judgment and painful emotional habits; we will work with letting go of the habitual behaviors that undermine our happiness and serenity. Using themes like honesty, intention, and acceptance, we will come to understand the roots of our distress and develop tools to overcome and heal these persistent problems.

The day's teaching will include mindfulness meditation techniques and Buddhist/12-Step parallels.

Kevin Griffin is the author of the seminal 2004 book One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps and the recent A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery. He has been practicing Buddhist meditation for three decades and been in recovery since 1985. He’s been a meditation teacher for over fifteen years. His teacher training was at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he currently leads Dharma and Recovery classes.

6 Thursdays 7:00-8:15pm May 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28

$15 suggested donation per class

Sign up for the whole series or attend individual classes. Reserve a space by calling in advance. 917 251 1359.

Jill Satterfield is the founder of Vajra Yoga & Meditation, a synthesis of yoga and Buddhism that combines meditation, yoga asanas, visualization and contemplation practices. She is also the Founder and Director of the School for Compassionate Action: Meditation, Yoga and Education for Communities in Need and Those Who Serve Them- a not for profit that trains teachers and works directly with specific populations - providing yoga, yoga therapy, meditation and emotional support to at-risk youth, people suffering with chronic pain and illnesses, PTSD, and addictions.

Jill turned to yoga 30 years ago in an effort to heal from a debilitating physical condition coupled with acute chronic pain. In 1992, she extended her exploration of the integral relationship of the mind and body through the study of Buddhism. Through combining the two disciplines - yoga and Buddhism - she healed beyond all medical prognoses.

Jill is on the faculty of Spirit Rock Meditation Centers Mindfulness for Yoga Training and the Kripalu Institute’s Integral Leadership Program for young adults. She was the scholar and teacher in residence at the Kripalu Center in 2004. She has been teaching for the past 25 years.

June 2nd, 9th 16th, 23rd, August 4th and 11th

Come escape the city for an Ashram experience and a day of practice. Saturday daylong retreats at beautiful and stunning Elmwood Wellness Retreats in South Salem, NY, that includes a pond for kayaking, a pool for swimming and a beautiful old barn yoga studio. Melissa McKay will be hosting 6 Saturdays this summer, each with a special theme.

Dates and themes:
June 2 GROWING LOVE AND COMPASSION
June 9 CONNECTING WITH REAL GRATITUDE AS A GATEWAY FOR BEAUTIFUL CHANGE
June 16 THE ART OF SURRENDERING
June 23 EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SELF AWARENESS
August 4 FAMILY RETREAT!!.... All ages welcome, activities for children included in this weekend.
August 11 CULTIVATING INNER SILENCE

Cost:
Full day cost is $140 and half day which begins at 1pm is $75. Cost includes the meals. South Salem is an hour out of the city by train and a shuttle to the grounds will be made available.

Full Day Schedule:
8:00-9:00 Arrivals and light breakfast
9:00-10:00 Orientation, talk and seated meditation
10:00-11:45 Pranyama and restorative asana
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:45 Optional workshops and body treatments available (massage, reflexology, acupuncture.... ). Vegetarian cooking and nutrition workshop where we prepare the evening meal. Swimming, hiking, basketball, badminton, music room, quiet time, gardening....
4:00-5:30 Yoga
5:30-6:30 Talk and meditation
6:30-7:30 Vegetarian Feast
7:30-8:00 Departures

Half Day Schedule:
1:00-3:45 Optional workshops and body treatments available (massage, reflexology, acupuncture.... ). Vegetarian cooking and nutrition workshop where we prepare the evenings meal, swimming, hiking, basketball, badminton, music room, quiet time, gardening....
4:00-5:30 Yoga
5:30-6:30 Talk and meditation
6:30-7:30 Vegetarian Feast
7:30-8:00 Departures

Call 917 251 1359 or email info@kusalayoga.com to sign up.

Sunday June 3 6-8pm

$20 suggested donation

Happiness that is not shaken by conditions begins with imagining that such stable and open happiness exists, and could exist for us. We also need wisdom in order to know how to make such happiness real. This implies patience, perspective, and an ability to see things as they are. During this evening we will explore our notions of happiness, strength, aloneness and possibility. We'll practice meditation along with dialogue and discourse. Suitable for both beginning and more experienced meditators. Sharon's latest book "Real Happiness" will be available for sale and the evening will end with a book signing.

About Sharon

October 16, 2012 - details TBA