Theme: Perception
Much of Buddhism is about deconstruction. The most important thing to deconstruct is the very notion of an eternal and permanent Self, which Buddhism rejects. Rather than find a Self, the Buddha discovered the 5 skandhas or aggregates that give people the perception of a self. These are form, sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness. Perception in particular gives people the ability to recognize their experiences and label them. The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine room offers a wealth of things to percieve, including multiple stimuli for all the senses. Perceptions can change over time depending on moods and feelings, something realized through meditation. The end result from studying the 5 skandhas reveals that no one of these things can be considered a permanent “Self” since all remain in a constant state of flux and change over time.
Learn more about the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room.
Mindfulness Meditation Series
Himalayan practitioners have, for centuries, used meditation to quiet the mind, open the heart, calm the nervous system, and increase one’s ability to focus. Now, western scientists, business leaders, and the secular world have embraced meditation as a vital tool for brain health. Learn more
Presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and the New York Insight Meditation Center.
About the Speaker
Jon Aaron teaches at the New York Insight Meditation Center, and is the guiding teacher of the Makom Meditation Havurah program at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. He is a certified teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and has taught over 40 cycles of the seminal curriculum. He is a co-founding member of New York Mindfulness Meditation Collaborative. He has completed the Integrated Study and Practice Program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, as well as the Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care program with the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care and continues his studies in non-dual traditions with his primary teacher Matthew Flickstein. He is also certified in Somatic Experiencing.