Author: Lin Wang Gordon

Fri. 5/29/2026, Mountains and Moonlight: Buddhist Wisdom in Classical Chinese Poetry, 6:30-8:30pm ET

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When Buddhism entered China around the first century, it entwined with Taoism and Confucianism, together they weaved the fabrics of Chinese culture and the texture of everyday life.  Along with a reverence for nature, Buddhist insights of impermanence and equanimity flowed into Chinese poetry, giving voice to renunciation and quiet joy. Across centuries, poets from all walks of life—court officials and recluses, the successful and the dispossessed—turned to Buddhist wisdom to navigate uncertainty and flow of life. Some found grace after loss; others withdrew from fame and power, discovering contentment in simplicity and the ordinary rhythms of life. Their poems speak not only of mountains and moonlight, but of resilience, equanimity, and inner freedom—questions as alive today as they were a thousand years ago. What do these poems offer us today? How do we find peace and joy in a noisy world? Besides achievement and success, what kind of life leads to contentment?  In this evening of reflection, we will read Buddhist-inspired poetry across dynasties and poets, meditate, and let insights arise.  Lin Wang Gordon, …

Wed. 6/24/2026: New York Insight Community Meditation Gathering, 6:30-8:30pm

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Although Buddhism is often seen as a solitary path, sangha, or community, is an essential part of meditation practice. However, cultivating this sense of community has been a difficult challenge in this day and age of social isolation and Zoom fatigue. This series of in-person New York Insight community gatherings consists of guided meditation, a talk by one of our teachers, followed by group discussion, and opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded practitioners. Whether you are brand new to meditation practice, new to New York Insight, or are a longtime, experienced meditator, all are welcome to join us for this series of in-person community meditation gatherings. We hope to see you there! In-Person and Online Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor (between 6th & 7th Avenue) Please RSVP for in-person or online attendance. If you are attending in person, please arrive 15-20 minutes early to ensure an orderly check-in. Online: You will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation email. Please contact registration@nyimc.org if you need assistance. Suggested donation is …

Wed. 7/22/2026: New York Insight Community Meditation Gathering, 6:30-8:30pm

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Although Buddhism is often seen as a solitary path, sangha, or community, is an essential part of meditation practice. However, cultivating this sense of community has been a difficult challenge in this day and age of social isolation and Zoom fatigue. This series of in-person New York Insight community gatherings consists of guided meditation, a talk by one of our teachers, followed by group discussion, and opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded practitioners. Whether you are brand new to meditation practice, new to New York Insight, or are a longtime, experienced meditator, all are welcome to join us for this series of in-person community meditation gatherings. We hope to see you there! In-Person and Online Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor (between 6th & 7th Avenue) Please RSVP for in-person or online attendance. If you are attending in person, please arrive 15-20 minutes early to ensure an orderly check-in. Online: You will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation email. Suggested donation is $15, but whatever you offer is greatly …

Saturday, 7/25/2026, Day of Insight – A Daylong Meditation Retreat, with Leslie Booker

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Photo: Wave Hill Garden Saturday, July 25, 2026 Time: 10am – 5pm ET “Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.” –The Buddha In modern society we are surrounded by noise – traffic noise, endless emails and phone calls, the chatter of people, and so forth. A silent retreat day is essentially a period of extended inward reflection, allowing you to achieve a greater clarity of mind. This retreat day will be one of noble silence for those who want to deepen their practice. It will include sitting, walking, and select inspirational readings for contemplation. Individual interviews will be available. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch to maintain the meditative atmosphere and concentration.

Wed. 9/2/2026: New York Insight Community Meditation Gathering, 6:30-8:30pm

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Although Buddhism is often seen as a solitary path, sangha, or community, is an essential part of meditation practice. However, cultivating this sense of community has been a difficult challenge in this day and age of social isolation and Zoom fatigue. This series of in-person New York Insight community gatherings consists of guided meditation, a talk by one of our teachers, followed by group discussion, and opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded practitioners. Whether you are brand new to meditation practice, new to New York Insight, or are a longtime, experienced meditator, all are welcome to join us for this series of in-person community meditation gatherings. We hope to see you there! In-Person and Online Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor (between 6th & 7th Avenue) Please RSVP for in-person or online attendance. If you are attending in person, please arrive 15-20 minutes early to ensure an orderly check-in. Online: You will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation email. Suggested donation is $15, but whatever you offer is greatly …

Soulcentric Midlife: A 5-Month Course (9/13/2026 – 1/10/2027)

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Are you in your 40s and 50s and thinking about the second half of your life? Every life stage brings its own gifts.  Each life stage has its own purpose in our development as a whole being.  If our life were the four seasons, 40s/50s could be the early fall.  While our culture likes to associate this time in our life with turmoil and crisis, it could also be a great time for inner growth, clarity, and purpose.  

May Newsletter – Finding the Sacred in Perimenopause: The Second Spring of Life

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May 17, 2026 At seven times seven [age 49] a woman’s heavenly dew wanes;the pulse of her Conception channel decreases.The Qi that dwelt in the baby’s palace moves upward into her heart,and her wisdom is deepened. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, an excerpt from the first chapter of a Chinese classical medicine book written around 2600 BC (some say 300 BC) Dear Friends, Happy almost summer! How have you been? I just realized I haven’t written in three months — and what three months it has been. Lately, I’ve been experiencing perimenopausal symptoms: irregular and prolonged cycles that led to anemia, along with dizziness and fatigue. Once I started talking openly about what I was experiencing with friends and family, I discovered how common this is for women my age — and yet, somehow, no one really talks about it. It feels like a best-kept secret. It reminded me of becoming a new mother. Everyone tells you that you may not get enough sleep, but no one tells you that you might not sleep …

Wed. 10/28/2026: New York Insight Community Meditation Gathering, 6:30-8:30pm

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Although Buddhism is often seen as a solitary path, sangha, or community, is an essential part of meditation practice. However, cultivating this sense of community has been a difficult challenge in this day and age of social isolation and Zoom fatigue. This series of in-person New York Insight community gatherings consists of guided meditation, a talk by one of our teachers, followed by group discussion, and opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded practitioners. Whether you are brand new to meditation practice, new to New York Insight, or are a longtime, experienced meditator, all are welcome to join us for this series of in-person community meditation gatherings. We hope to see you there! In-Person and Online Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor (between 6th & 7th Avenue) Please RSVP for in-person or online attendance. If you are attending in person, please arrive 15-20 minutes early to ensure an orderly check-in. Online: You will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation email. Suggested donation is $15, but whatever you offer is greatly …

Mon. 5/11/2026: Midlife Sangha Monthly Sit, 6:30-8:30pm

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Photo: Fall Leaves New York Insight’s Midlife Sangha is a warm and vibrant community for individuals who wish to explore meditation and apply Buddhist teachings to the gifts and challenges of midlife. Our goal is to cultivate a supportive space that fosters connection, encouragement, and authenticity, allowing members to reflect on shared experiences and personal growth. In these monthly sits, we will meditate together and explore questions that arise at this stage of life. Whether you’re contemplating a career or relationship change, navigating elder care or an empty nest, finding joy or seeking deeper meaning in the second half of life, you’ll find a community that walks alongside you, offering mutual support and shared wisdom. The Midlife Sangha meets on the second Sunday of each month from 5:30–7:30 PM. Led by NYI Teachers or Peer Leaders, each session includes meditation, a dharma discussion, and an opportunity to explore midlife topics in a supportive community. Open to practitioners of all experience levels. In-person attendance is highly encouraged, as meeting in the physical world helps foster connections …

Thu. 5/21/2026: Celebrating Asian Heritage Month with A National Gathering of Asian Insight Diaspora Sanghas, 7-9pm ET

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Celebrating Asian Heritage Month with Asian Insight Diaspora Sanghas A National Celebration of Community and Connection Honoring Asian Heritage Month with Lin Wang Gordon, Tim Hwang, and Joanna Williams Join us for an inaugural gathering to celebrate and connect Asian American Diaspora Insight sanghas across the country. While each of our communities may be small, together we form a vibrant, supportive, and growing network of Asian American Buddhist practitioners. This gathering is an opportunity to recognize and honor that collective strength. This gathering is open to self-identified practitioners of all Asian Diaspora sanghas. Come to connect, share, and celebrate our heritage and help strengthen this growing network of practice and belonging. We kindly ask those who do not identify as members of the Asian Diaspora community to support us from afar as we hold space for our community. Whether you gather with your local sangha in person and join via Zoom, or connect individually from wherever you are, you are warmly invited to come and share in this moment of connection. Participating Asian Diaspora Sanghas include: This …