We might not know each other, so I'd like to introduce myself and my passion.
In my professional life, I run the Long Island Center for Mindfulness. I teach mindfulness at Columbia Teachers College to, as well as mindfulness and positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where I completed my graduate work.
However, before I ever thought about teaching mindfulness, I wanted to understand it and embody it personally. I've done a number of mindfulness teacher trainings such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through the Center for Mindfulness, Mindful Schools, and Search Inside Yourself (the mindfulness program at Google). All of this has been great, but the most transformational experience and training I've had came from spending 6 months in silence living as a Buddhist monk in Southeast Asia, where we were meditating roughly 14-18 hours each day, 7 days a week for 6 months. This was the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the most rewarding. And above and beyond any academic trainings I've done in mindfulness, this experience dug the well from which I draw water when I try to teach mindfulness to other people.
I've been very fortunate and privileged to dive deeply into this work. Not everyone has the opportunities, time or resources to do this sort of training. I recognize that. And as an able-bodied, straight, white male, born in American and living in America, there is a particular privilege I have. There are certain stressors, oppression and barriers that, to be honest, I have not had to face in the way that many others have. This is not to say my life hasn't been difficult in a number of ways...it has. I struggled with anxiety and depression. But there has still been privilege and opportunity afforded to me that I do not take do not take for granted.
Having had some of these opportunities to study and practice mindfulness, it's now my mission to share this work with other people in a way that's comprehensible, usable and penetrating, meaning that we're not diluting the essence and power of these teachings. My goal is to make mindfulness practical and available to as many people as possible; for those suffering and looking for relief, and also for those looking to enhance what is already good in their lives.
For me, the practice of mindfulness has grounded me in a deeper understanding of perspective, self and other awareness, and an inner peace that I was not able to get anywhere else, especially through the external world. It's been transformative. And I've also seen it be life-changing for people of all different backgrounds, regardless of race, sexual orientation, class, physical ability and gender.
I run a number of programs on Long Island, including a donation-based weekly meditation group in Sayville, every Tuesday. You can stay up to date by subscribing to my newsletter below.
I would love to meet you and share this passion of mindfulness with you. Thanks for visiting my page and I hope to see you soon!
In my professional life, I run the Long Island Center for Mindfulness. I teach mindfulness at Columbia Teachers College to, as well as mindfulness and positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where I completed my graduate work.
However, before I ever thought about teaching mindfulness, I wanted to understand it and embody it personally. I've done a number of mindfulness teacher trainings such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through the Center for Mindfulness, Mindful Schools, and Search Inside Yourself (the mindfulness program at Google). All of this has been great, but the most transformational experience and training I've had came from spending 6 months in silence living as a Buddhist monk in Southeast Asia, where we were meditating roughly 14-18 hours each day, 7 days a week for 6 months. This was the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the most rewarding. And above and beyond any academic trainings I've done in mindfulness, this experience dug the well from which I draw water when I try to teach mindfulness to other people.
I've been very fortunate and privileged to dive deeply into this work. Not everyone has the opportunities, time or resources to do this sort of training. I recognize that. And as an able-bodied, straight, white male, born in American and living in America, there is a particular privilege I have. There are certain stressors, oppression and barriers that, to be honest, I have not had to face in the way that many others have. This is not to say my life hasn't been difficult in a number of ways...it has. I struggled with anxiety and depression. But there has still been privilege and opportunity afforded to me that I do not take do not take for granted.
Having had some of these opportunities to study and practice mindfulness, it's now my mission to share this work with other people in a way that's comprehensible, usable and penetrating, meaning that we're not diluting the essence and power of these teachings. My goal is to make mindfulness practical and available to as many people as possible; for those suffering and looking for relief, and also for those looking to enhance what is already good in their lives.
For me, the practice of mindfulness has grounded me in a deeper understanding of perspective, self and other awareness, and an inner peace that I was not able to get anywhere else, especially through the external world. It's been transformative. And I've also seen it be life-changing for people of all different backgrounds, regardless of race, sexual orientation, class, physical ability and gender.
I run a number of programs on Long Island, including a donation-based weekly meditation group in Sayville, every Tuesday. You can stay up to date by subscribing to my newsletter below.
I would love to meet you and share this passion of mindfulness with you. Thanks for visiting my page and I hope to see you soon!
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