Meditation: Some Places to Sit in Westchester

Here in Westchester, whether you have an extensive background in meditation or are just beginning, you’re in luck. There are many places to “sit”–and they’re all welcoming!

Each meditation community has its own approach, philosophy and personality. Below is a list of local gatherings which center around various traditions–Buddhist (including Zen and Kadampa), Taoist and others–coming for the most part from the spiritual traditions of India, China and Japan.

Please note that some–notably TM–charge for their classes, while others are free, or by donation. I’ll post another list next week of Jewish, Christian and Muslim meditation groups. I’m sure that what follows is not exhaustive. Please let me know if you know of others that I’ve missed.

Bronxville: Cedar Knolls Sangha. Meets on Saturday mornings. Contact George Chen,  (914) 337-6388

Bronxville: Bronxville: Meditation and Chi Kung 101 Pondfield Rd. West, Bronxville, West Center Congregational Church

Hartsdale: Vajra Light Buddhist Center, (914) 607-3583, 234 N. Central Ave., Suite 200, Hartsdale.

Katonah: Pine Hill Zendo "an authentic Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple" situated right outside the hamlet of Katonah.

Katonah: Transcendental Meditation. Its main office is Katonah, but it offers classes elsewhere throughout the county.

Larchmont: Quiet Mountain Sangha, (914) 834-0624, Larchmont.

Mt. Kisco: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 236 S. Bedford Road (Route 172), Mt. Kisco NY, 10549. Mindfulness Meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Contact Jan Weiss by email or call (914) 763-2015.

New Rochelle: Empty Hand Zendo, (914) 636-1450, 45 Lawton Street, New Rochelle.

Ossining: Sleepy Hollow Sangha, (914) 923-0140, 1407 Eagle Bay Drive, Ossining.

Pleasantville: The Many Branches Sangha meets at the in Pleasantville.

Pound Ridge: Westchester Buddhist Center. The purpose of the Center is to promote the teachings and meditation practices of the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. The Center hosts open meetings every Wednesday 7-9 p.m. at the Bedford Post Inn's Yogaloft for meditation instruction and practice, dharma talk, tea and cookies social.

Rye: Quiet Harbor Sangha meets the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month at 7 p.m. at the Wainwright House in Rye, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye, (914) 967 6080. Contact is Anne Woods.

White Plains: Vajralight Buddhist Center offers meditation classes at St. Bartholomew's Church in White Plains.

White Plains: White Plains Zen Meets Tuesday nights at St. Bartholomew's Church in White Plains.  6:45 p.m. intro. 7:30-9 p.m. (914) 403-3623, 82 Prospect St., White Plains.

Rabbi Mark Sameth is the spiritual leader of Pleasantville Community Synagogue (Joyful Judaism!) an inclusive progressive synagogue–with members from twenty towns, villages and cities all across Westchester. Read The New York Times  article. Weekly meditation at the synagogue every Saturday morning at 9 am is open to the public. All are welcome and warmly invited.