Date: Saturday, 3/22/2025

Time: 10am – 4pm ET

In-Person Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor

Humans have always used technology to improve our lives—from the discovery of fire to the Industrial Revolution —but the pace of technological innovation is increasing at a faster rate than ever before. In the last 25 years, the internet, smartphones, and social media have reshaped how we live, work, think, and connect. As these tools evolve, we’re struggling to keep up, losing some of our agency in the process. With AI on the horizon, this challenge will only grow.

In this context, a mindfulness practice has become more important than ever. By cultivating awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, we can learn to regain control over our interactions with technology, allowing us to maintain our agency in an increasingly digital world. We can learn how to ensure that technology serves us, not the other way around. Together we’ll explore how to apply Buddhist philosophy to our relationship with desire, aversion, and attachments when we engage with tech.

In this daylong workshop, we will examine our relationship with smartphones, digital habits, and the apps we use. We’ll explore questions like: What is our awareness of our digital habits? How do our mind and body feel when we engage with social media or news? How do we use tech to help us focus rather than to distract? What might a “tech detox” look like? What rituals can we develop to create a healthier relationship with tech? Our goal is not to reject technology—it’s here to stay—but to imagine how to build a healthy relationship when we engage with it. We’ll discuss practical ways to integrate technology into our lives in a way that supports our well-being, rather than detracts from it.

Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch in order to maintain the meditative atmosphere and concentration.