The Shinnyo Center for Meditation and Well-being

The journey not the arrival matters. T. S. Eliot Reflecting upon the numerous streets and avenues that allow one to arrive at The Shinnyo Center. Perhaps a reminder that there may be many ways to arrive at one’s destination, wherever it may be. While we continue to remain closed for safety precautions during this pandemic, a few images of some of our favorite walking scenery en route to the center. As another reminder, weekly live guided meditation is being offered virtu...ally every Friday at 12:15pm until we reopen. Please reach out to us at: [email protected] for log-in details. : by The Shinnyo Center . . . #arrival #avenues #besafe #cityscape #covidcompassion #gratitude #journey #manypaths #meditation #mindfulness #mindfulmoments #newyork #newyorkatnight #shinnyo #streets #streetsofnewyork #travel #tseliot #walking #walkingwisdom #weareallinthistogether

As a reminder, we are offering a free, virtual, live guided meditation session every Friday at 12:15pm EST. It has been so lovely to continue to build community through weekly meditation practice even as our physical space remains closed during this pandemic. Feel free to email us for log-in details at: [email protected] . . . #calm #care #community #compassion #contemplative #covidcompassion #free #guidedmeditation #harmony #meditation #mindfulmoments #mindfulness #newyork #nystrong #pandemicpeace #peace #self-care #shinnyo #together #virtual #weareallinthistogether #weekly #wellbeing #wellness

An unexpected message seen while passing by an abandoned lot on World Mental Health Day. What messages can you tune into today that help support your emotional wellness? : by The Shinnyo Center #emotionalhealth #meditation #mindfulmessages #mindfulmoments #mindfulmessagesforlife #othercare #selfcare #settingchannel #shinnyo #tuning #wellness #worldmentalhealthday #worldmentalhealthday2020

Last Saturday, one of our meditation guides, participated in a second United Nations observance held during the week of the International Day of Peace. Wishing all clarity and care (including self-care) in finding our own paths to peace wherever we are.

Shinnyo Lantern Floating ceremonies are truly diverse, inclusive and often seen in myriad colors. The undercurrent of the ceremony is a deep connection to past, present and a future of peace. During this time of social and physical distance, this year’s ceremony is being observed during the week of the #U.N. International Day of Peace. #illuminatingpeace #innerlight #internationaldayofpeace #internationaldayofpeace2020 #LanternFloating #light #meditative #mindful #peace #shinnyo #weareallinthistogether

Shinnyo Lantern Floating UK 2020 Every year, the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Centre located in the UK hosts a lantern floating event on its grounds. This year, it is he...ld following COVID-19 secure guidelines but you can still take part through its online alternative format. For more information, please visit https://www.shinnyoenuk.org/lantern-floating-2020 *Photo from event in 2018 #shinnyolanternfloatingUK #shinnyo

On 9/21, the Shinnyo Center continued its long-standing participation in the @unitednations #internationaldayofpeace observance at the U.N. chapel. Spending time with colleagues on a Zoom panel who are building bridges and peacemaking in so many unique and various ways was a much needed experience to share in during this pandemic. Listening to narratives of peace-building (through words, music, art & action) inspires and reminds us that peace can be built and is always an aim... worth striving for. A big thank you to Rev. Dionne Boissiere, Chaplain of the U.N. chapel (pictured in 1st image) for hosting this virtual gathering together with the International Day of Yoga Committee at the U.N. under co-founder, Denise Scotto (2nd image), former legal counsel to the U.N. One takeaway reminder: Peace starts within. Peace starts with me. #artofpeace #internationaldayofpeace2020 #meditative #mindful #peace #peacebuilding #peacestartswithme #shinnyo #sociallydistantbutnotalone #UN #unitednationschapel #virtualgathering #weareallinthistogether See more

PBS Hawaii presents Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii 2020 on Thursday, September 3 at 9 pm. On every Memorial Day since 1999, the international Buddhist commun...ity Shinnyo-en has officiated Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii, a ceremony to honor those who laid a foundation for our lives. At the close of the ceremony, thousands of lanterns are floated on the water, each carrying messages of gratitude, remembrance, and love. In 2020, due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii could not take place in its traditional form of a peaceful gathering of 50,000 people on Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu. During this time of pain and suffering, messages of gratitude, love, hope, and courage are more important than ever. This program turns the spotlight on stories that convey these feelings, along with a personal message of hope, peace, and healing from Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Head of Shinnyo-en.

Behind the motivation for the public health community effort that is the "Behind the Mask" video of which The Shinnyo Center was grateful to be part.

Wear a mask. Simple message for surreal times. We were proud to partner with public health masked heroes in the #hiphoppublichealth music video: Behind the Mask featuring our own Rev. Qalvy Grainzvolt at 1 min 38 secs sitting in a #mindfulmoment . Wonderful project that involved artists, first responders, clergy, and community. #behindthemask #covidcompassion #maskssavelives #mindfulness #shinnyo #socialdistancing #weareallinthistogether

"You know me, I think there ought to be a big old tree right there. And let's give him a friend. Everybody needs a friend." Bob Ross

Roadside grass is often trampled upon, yet it retains the spirit to endure and grow- Shinjo Ito. #oneminutemeditation #meditation #mindfulminute #nature #roadsidegrass #selfcare #shinnyo #schooloflife #waterwisdom #weareallinthistogether

"When you do things from the soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy" - Rumi

Over the past weeks, Shinnyo Center meditation guides have been part of hopeful moments of unity, peace, loving kindness, equity, freedom, and care that became meaningful community responses to racism. On June 4th, Circle the City with Love a (socially distanced & mask-required) gathering was held in White Plains, NY where the Shinnyo-en temple is located. Members of the community, local clergy (who helped create this event), police, city officials, and many others gathered... along a perimeter of several city miles surrounding the hospital, local churches, public safety and court buildings as a communal circle of presence standing up to racism. It culminated with a shout-out at 7pm to all the essential workers in the city hospital still treating those fighting to recover from Covid-19. Pictures above show those standing along the perimeter of one segment of this circle of love. The black SUV bounding around the corner in one image was the White Plains police chief making rounds, sounding his siren and flashers in support of those circling the city with love and standing up to racism in all forms, everywhere. ( Images 1~4) On June 1st, Shinnyo Center meditation guides participated in a rally in the heart of White Plains. Present at this gathering was the mayor, county officials, a sitting member of Congress, clergy, community leaders, the district attorney, advocacy centers, neighbors, the fire department, the police commissioner of White Plains, and nearly every police chief of surrounding municipalities, as well as activists, teachers, journalists and volunteers. There was a strong thread of unity. Absent was an us versus them dynamic. In place was a culture of we. There was peace and space to process together. There was a renewed sense of community. A sense of community that acknowledged the power of care, readiness for deep listening, sharing of community voices, wishes for change, and plans for change as vital ingredients in bringing to fruition a future of harmony, inclusivity, equity, and well-being for all. ( Images 5~10) Our reflection: It is that sharing of time and space, as we often do in meditation, with intention and presence that perhaps helps us to unlock responses that bring out the best of humanity.