Meditation Workshop

In this day-long workshop, we will clarify the understanding of our meditation as having two phases – shamatha and vipashyana – in order to deepen our experience of them. These two are the said to be the basis for all of the vast varieties of samadhis. Exploring their definitions and qualities, the obstacles and antidotes to their development, the stages of their progression and how to progress from the first to the latter.

This workshop presents Part Two: Practice

Part One: View was presented in a Talk by Derek, How to Make Progress in Meditation, (Dec 21, 2025) - The recording of that talk can be found at (or near) the top of the listing on this page: GUEST SPEAKERS RECORDINGS ARCHIVES

The prerequisite for this program is prior attendance at a How To Meditate One-day Workshop, or the equivalent. The material presented during the program will assume that participants have a good understanding of the fundamentals of mindfulness-awareness meditation, as WMC presents it. Please address questions about eligibility to derek@westchestermeditationcenter.org

For those considering attending the WMC Annual Retreat, especially if for the first time, this program would be an excellent preparation, and is highly recommended. 

Note that offer introductory meditation instruction, and “refreshers” at all our in-person gatherings, and will offer another introductory How To Meditate workshop in the Spring. WMC Faculty are always available to make recommendations for further reading.

WMC presents mindfulness-awareness meditation in the tradition established by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who emphasized an evolving "path" of meditation that cultivates insight into our basic goodness without bypassing our very human imperfections and blind spots.

Trungpa Rinpoche was a highly accomplished meditation master, scholar, translator, poet, and artist. He taught extensively in North America during the 1970s and 80s, authored dozens of books based on hundreds of talks given on a remarkable array of topics, and directly influenced an entire generation of meditation practitioners and teachers.

Derek began the practice and study of Buddhism in 1976 and soon became a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, attending his first of many Naropa Institute summer sessions in 1977. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College in the Comparative Study of World Religions, focused on Buddhism, including study of Sanskrit and Tibetan languages. During a year off from college, Derek was the assistant coordinator of the six-month US tour of HH the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa in 1980 and attended the Vajradhatu Seminary and the Kalapa Assembly in 1981 at Lake Louise, in Alberta, Canada. 

WMC is dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion. Everyone is invited. Differences and unique perspectives are embraced.

If you have any questions, please email westchestermeditationcenter@gmail.com.