Glimpses of True Freedom:

Reading Pema Chödrön's Guide to 

The Myth of Freedom

by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche 

Tuesdays, April 21 - July 7,  7 – 8:30 pm

at The Aligned Center (with Zoom option)

Led by Jane Kolleeny, David Frankel and Kelsa DeBrabant

What if the freedom you seek isn’t found by changing your circumstances but by embracing life exactly as it is? In Pema Chödrön's latest book, Another Kind of Freedom, she returns to the early and deep influence that The Myth of Freedom, by her root teacher, Chögyam Trungpa, had on her path.  She highlights his underlying message of true freedom; how to find what he calls an ultimate and fundamental sense of freedom; what that is experientially, what gets in the way of experiencing it, and how to work compassionately, wisely and directly with whatever keeps us stuck.  

This open course is an opportunity for students of all levels to gather together read a book that is a unique collaboration between an eminent meditation master, Trungpa Rinpoche, and one of his most devoted and influential students. We hope you can join us in exploring how meditation, mindfulness, and radical self-acceptance can transform our struggles, neuroses, and pain into gateways to awakening. 

“These were the teachings,” Pema says, “that inspired me most in my early years of practicing Buddhism. They continue to inspire me now and have influenced all the teachings I’ve given over the years.”

An Intermediate-level course based on 

The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One

Wednesdays 7 - 8:45 PM ET

April 15th - June 17th, 2026

Meets in person at The Aligned Center (with Zoom option)

Led by Tom Pantaleoni, Warner Dick, Dorian Burden, and Erich Kramer

Suggested Offering: $100

The concluding semester of this course will focus on the final sections of the book, which present fundamental aspects of the path of individual liberation. Having fully explored the qualities and essence of shamatha and vipashyana, the text turns to the fruition of practice.

Karma:  Who Did What and Why?

April 22 - May 27th 2026

On Zoom

Wednesdays, 7-9 PM

This spring we explore “Karma: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters,” by Traleg Kyabgon.

The Buddha’s teaching on karma is his compassionate explanation of the way things are: our thoughts and actions determine our future, and therefore we ourselves are largely responsible for the way our lives unfold. This supremely useful teaching is often ignored due to the misconceptions found in popular culture. Karma is not simple, as Traleg Kyabgon,  Rinpoche shows, and he lights the way to our clear understanding.

Learn to Meditate or Deepen Your Practice

Location:The Aligned Center, 1 Bridge Street, Suite 64 (2nd floor), Irvington, NY, 10533

Date:  Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm

Fee: $30 (includes lunch)

Please join us in person at the Aligned Center on Saturday April 4^th from 3 PM to 6:00 PM to commemorate the 39^th Anniversary of the Parinirvana of the Vidyadhara, the Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This will feature a talk and slide show presenting the Vidyadhara’s life, manifestations and teachings; group practice of his Sadhana of Mahamudra; followed by reception and toasts.

An Intermediate-level course based on 

The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One

Wednesdays 7 - 8:45 PM ET

January 14th to April 8th, 2026

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 a deep exploration of the heart of buddhist practice, shamatha-vipashyana meditation. We begin with the simplicity of shamatha or "calm abiding," and explore many topics, culminating in a discussion of vipashyana; the development of an insightful, skillful awareness that can expand to all aspects of our life.

WMC Open Course

POSTPONED UNTIL LATER IN THE SPRING

In person at the Aligned Center, Irvington

Taught by Jane Kolleeny, Paul Griffin and David Frankel

This Open Course is appropriate for all levels of experience, including those just beginning develop a regular meditation practice. The format is meant to provide an opportunity to experience the very real benefits of bringing meditation practice and dharma study together in a group setting, with like-minded students.

For the Winter 2026 term, we will be exploring the richness of Pema Chodron's teachings on Bodhichitta: the relationship between our meditation and developing a wakeful and courageous heart, especially in the face of difficult times.

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.

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.

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.