How to Progress in Your Meditation Practice
Part Two: Practice
Part One: View - recorded talk here from Dec 21, 2025
SATURDAY, February 21st, 2026
10:00 AM UNTIL 5:00 PM (includes lunch)
THE ALIGNED CENTER, 1 BRIDGE STREET, SUITE 64, IRVINGTON, NY 10533
Suggested Donation: $30* (includes lunch)
Space is limited; registration is required.
Prerequisite: Attendance at a previous WMC Workshop, or the equivalent
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 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. Bring yourself (!). Lunch included.
Derek Kolleeny 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.
How to Progress in Your Meditation Practice
Part Two: Practice
Part One: View - recorded talk here from Dec 21, 2025
SATURDAY, February 21st, 2026
10:00 AM UNTIL 5:00 PM (includes lunch)
THE ALIGNED CENTER, 1 BRIDGE STREET, SUITE 64, IRVINGTON, NY 10533
Suggested Donation: $30* (includes lunch)
Space is limited; registration is required.
Prerequisite: Attendance at a previous WMC Workshop, or the equivalent
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 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. Bring yourself (!). Lunch included.
Derek Kolleeny 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.
*We are committed to making our programs affordable to all. Those with limited income, students, and those under 30 years old may register for our programs at the $10 rate. Should you have any questions, please contact us at westchestermeditationcenter@gmail.com.
