The Vajrayana Preliminary Practices: Sacred World, Samaya, Visualization and Prostations
Thursdays On Zoom Only 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Oct. 9 & 16, Nov. 6 & 20, Dec. 4 & 18, 2025
Jan. 8 & 22, Feb. 5, 2026 (9 Classes)
Led by Gene Bobker and Tom Pantaleoni
There are prerequisites for this group.
This is a vajrayana study course. We will explore talks that Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, as well as other teachers, gave to new tantrikas beginning their prostration practice. These classes will explore subjects that are foundational to our understanding of the Vajrayana path, such as renunciation, devotion and samaya, as well as how the Hinayana and Mahayana paths are integral to the Tantric path. The course will include practical instructions for those embarking on ngöndro, or the Preliminary Practices.
Entering the Stream of the Meditative Life
WMC Introductory Level Course
Tuesdays 7 – 9 PM
Sept 9 - Dec 9, 2025
In person at the Aligned Center, Irvington, and also on Zoom, for those unable to attend in person.
Taught by Jane Kolleeny, Paul Griffin and David Frankel
This in-person weekly meeting is intended for those developing or establishing their daily meditation practice. It covers the basics of mindfulness-awareness meditation, from proper posture to learning to settle with gentleness, patience, and humor—the three ingredients for a well-balanced practice. This course will also cover the art of stabilizing the mind, shamatha (or calm abiding), and how to remain present with whatever thoughts and emotions arise in our practice.
The Path of Individual Liberation
An Intermediate-level course based on
The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One
Wednesdays 7 - 8:30 PM ET
September 10th - December 17th
Meets in-person at The Aligned Center (with zoom option)
Led by Tom Pantaleoni, Warner Dick, Dorian Burden, and Erich Kramer
Suggested Donation: $120
We will closely follow the chapters in the book, including topics such as the "frozen space of ego," the pain of samsara or cyclic existence, and the possibility of liberation through taking refuge and through the three trainings: discipline, meditation and insight. Our discussions will emphasize joining our understanding of the course material with our meditation practice.
Essence of Mahayana: The Way of the Bodhisattva
A WMC advanced-level course based on
The Bodhicaryavatara by Shantideva
Wednesdays 7 - 8:30 PM ET
September 10th - December 17th (13 classes)
Meets online via Zoom only
Led by Gene Bobker and Arthur Segreti
Suggested Donation: $130
Please join us this Fall for an in-depth exploration of the classic Buddhist text The Bodhicaryavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva). The text presents the highest ideal of the Mahayana tradition, the life of a bodhisattva; beginning with the recognition of the great potential within each of us, and outlining the cultivation of confidence, joyfulness and compassion. Together we will closely follow Shantideva's verses, along with Pema Chodron's expert commentary.
The Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness
WMC Intermediate Level Course – Semester Three
Wednesdays 7 – 9 PM ONLINE - Zoom Only
May 21 - July 2, 2025
Led by Derek Kolleeny and Colleagues
A seven-week exploration of the Mahayana Buddhist contemplative tradition of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. The Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness presents a series of meditation practices on a particular aspect of the Buddha’s teachings. The idea is that by beginning with one’s first rather coarse common-sense understanding, one progresses through increasingly subtle and more refined stages until one arrives at complete and perfect understanding. Each stage in the process prepares the mind for the next in so far as each step is fully integrated into one’s understanding through the meditation process.
The Way of the Buddha: The Path of the Bodhisattva
WMC Foundation Level Course – Semester Three
Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 PM
April 23 - June 25, 2025
In-person at the Aligned Center, Irvington, and also on Zoom, for those unable to attend in person.
Taught by Gene Bobker & Tom Pantaleoni
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. The course will be based on a curated sourcebook of readings from his work, and will include meditation, presentation, and discussion.
Shamatha-Vipashyana in the Mahayana Tradition
WMC Intermediate Level Course – Semester Two
Wednesdays 7 – 9 PM ONLINE - Zoom Only
January 15 – April 9, 2025
Led by Derek Kolleeny and Colleagues
This intermediate-level course is a continuation of our exploration of the Mahayana Buddhist path in the Tibetan Kagyu and Nyingma traditions. Here we will focus on the practice of Shamatha-Vipashyana – the main type of meditation in the Mahayana. We will examine presentations from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and other major Tibetan teachers on the fundamental aspects of these two practices, and their union, as a way of exploring how to deepen our own meditation practice.
The Way of the Buddha: Transforming Suffering into Compassion
WMC Foundation Level Course – Semester Two
Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 PM
January 8 – April 9, 2025
In-person at the Aligned Center, Irvington, and also on Zoom, for those unable to attend in person.
Taught by Gene Bobker & Tom Pantaleoni
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. The course will be based on a curated sourcebook of readings from his work, and will include meditation, presentation, and discussion.
The Essence of Buddhism: The Evolution of View, Meditation and Conduct in the Three Yanas
WMC Intermediate Level Course – Semester One
Wednesdays 7 – 9 PM ONLINE - Zoom Only
September 11 – December 18, 2024 (note new start date)
Led by Derek Kolleeny and Colleagues
This Intermediate-level course will survey the entire range of Buddhism’s development into what are called the three yanas, or "vehicles" of Tibetan Buddhism — Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana — as stages of development that individuals follow along the Buddhist path. We will undertake a close reading of the wonderful book by Traleg Rinpoche, The Essence of Buddhism, which serves as a handbook for the various meditative approaches of Buddhist practice.
The Way of the Buddha: Waking Up through the Path of Meditation
WMC Foundation Level Course – Semester One
Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 PM
September 11 – December 18, 2024
In-person at the Aligned Center, Irvington, and also on Zoom, for those unable to attend in person.
Taught by Gene Bobker & Tom Pantaleoni
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. The course will be based on a curated sourcebook of readings from his work, and will include meditation, presentation, and discussion.
Aging for Beginners
Aging for Beginners Discussion Group
Second Sunday of every month:
Sept 14th, Oct 12th, Nov 9th, Dec 14th
3:30 to 4:45 PM ET
Meets virtually on Zoom.
Led by: Andrea Sherman & Kevin Gormley
In this discussion group we explore the journey of growing older from a Buddhist perspective. This Fall, we will read and discuss “Alive Until You’re Dead: Notes on the Home Stretch”by renowned Zen Buddhist teacher Susan Moon, author of “This is Getting Old” and “What is Zen.” Please join us. In this book of “required reading for all mortals.” (Ruth Ozekl)
Register via Donation