All posts filed under: Hudson Valley

Fri. 11/28/2025: Black Friday Hike on Hook Mountain for Inner & Outer Exploration

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“Instead of going shopping, go outside.” – REI #OptOutside Campaign Inspired by REI’s #OptOutside movement on Black Friday, we invite you to join us in the beautiful Hudson Valley for a guided, meditative hike—an opportunity to reconnect with both inner landscape and the natural world.  This hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain. Enjoy expansive vistas from only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary area designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. Much of the hike will be observed in silence and we will integrate nature meditation practices throughout the day — allowing our senses to come alive and our sense of separateness to fall away.  Together, we will cultivate a deeper intimacy with the land—and with our inner landscape—moving through the day with reverence and presence. We will foster a reciprocal mindset: as the land nourishes us, we give back through gratitude, awareness, and care.  Through this shared exploration, we will reflect on what it …

Sun. 10/12/2025: Sacred Homage: Fall Foliage and Nature Meditation at Chuang Yen Monastery, 10am – 3pm

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Join us for a contemplative day of meditation and reflection amid the fall foliage at Chuang Yen Monastery in Putnam County. This sacred site, home to the largest indoor Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere, has housed Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi and a vibrant monastic community since 2006. Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, the monastery’s serene grounds and elegant halls—the Kuan Yin Hall (1985) and the Great Buddha Hall (1997), inaugurated by the Dalai Lama—offer a peaceful setting for spiritual practice. The halls house 10,000 mini buddhas and many antique Buddha statues. Past participants were deeply moved by the beauty and stillness of these sacred spaces, as well as the opportunity to learn about the monastery’s history, rituals, and deep ties to the Buddhist lineage. We’ll begin our day with quiet exploration, meditating among the walkways and halls as we immerse ourselves in the presence of this living temple. After a lovingly prepared vegetarian lunch offered by monastery volunteers, we’ll head outdoors to walk the grounds and appreciate the fall foliage, connecting with the changing …

Sun. 6/29/2025: Sacred Homage: Nature Meditation at Chuang Yen Monastery

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Location: 2020, Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512 Time: 10am – 3pm Join us for a contemplative day of meditation and reflection as we pay homage to the rich Buddhist lineage at the Chuang Yen Monastery, nestled in the peaceful Town of Kent, Putnam County.  This sacred space is home to the largest indoor statue of Buddha in the Western Hemisphere and has been the residence of Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi since 2006, alongside a vibrant monastic community. Designed by the architect I.M. Pei, the monastery’s beautiful grounds provide a serene backdrop for contemplation. The elegant Kuan Yin Hall, inspired by the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, was completed in 1985, while the Great Buddha Hall, where the Dalai Lama presided over the groundbreaking ceremony in 1989, was finished in 1997. We will begin the day by exploring the monastery’s beautiful halls, soaking in the history and tranquility of the temple.  After a vegetarian lunch provided by the monastery (prepared with care by volunteers who dedicate their weekends to this service), we’ll venture outdoors for a …

Sat. 9/7/2024: BIPOC Meditative Hike to Anthony’s Nose, with Sebene Selassie

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For Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color “The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth.” — Thich Nhat Hanh Join us on this fall Saturday for a journey into nature — a time to reconnect with both the natural world and ourselves. Throughout the hike, we’ll weave in various nature meditations, embracing silence as a key element for introspection and transformation. This is a chance to unwind and restore. It’s also an opportunity to understand our relationship to nature in both its simplicity and complexity. “We need acts of restoration, not only for polluted waters and degraded lands, but also for our relationship to the world.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer *********************** As teachers, we always begin every session of practice (whether inside or outdoors) with three honorings: honoring native land, honoring practice lineages, & honoring personal ancestors. But what does it mean to honor native land in a culture rampant with the destruction and desecration of nature? How do we heed the call of …

Sun. 11/28/2021: Thanksgiving Weekend Hike to Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake State Park (on the Long Path)

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Enjoy a fall day in the peaceful beauty of the Hudson Valley with a guided, meditative hike to connect with nature and ourselves. This hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain. Enjoy expansive vistas only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary space designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. Much of the hike will be observed in silence but we will integrate meditation practices throughout the day — allowing our senses to come alive and our sense of separateness fall away. Turning our attention inward allows us to become receptive to both of our outer and inner experiences. The dynamic outdoor conditions will be a perfect container for mindfulness practices. The hike will be approximately from 10am – 3pm. When: 9:45am-3pm, Sunday, November 28, 2021 Who: Lin Wang Gordon Where: Rockland Lake State Park, South Entrance on Route 9W and Lake Road, Valley Cottage, NY, 10989. (Use “753 Route 9W” for Rockland Roots GPS. The park entrance should …

Sun. 9/27/2020: Fall Foliage Hike to Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake State Park (on the Long Path)

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Enjoy a fall day in the peaceful beauty of the Hudson Valley with a guided, meditative hike to connect with nature and ourselves. This hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain. Enjoy expansive vistas only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary space designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. Much of the hike will be observed in silence but we will integrate meditation practices throughout the day — allowing our senses to come alive and our sense of separateness fall away. Turning our attention inward allows us to become receptive to both of our outer and inner experiences. The dynamic outdoor conditions will be a perfect container for mindfulness practices. The hike will be approximately from 10am – 3pm. Who: Lin Gordon When: 9:45am-3pm, Sunday, September 27, 2020 Where: Rockland Lake State Park, South Entrance on Route 9W and Lake Road, Valley Cottage, NY, 10989. (Use “753 Route 9W” for Rockland Roots GPS. The park entrance should be …

Sun. October 20, 2019: Fall Foliage Hike to Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake State Park (on the Long Path)

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Enjoy a fall day in the peaceful beauty of the Hudson Valley with a guided, meditative hike to connect with nature and ourselves. This hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain. Enjoy expansive vistas only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary space designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. Much of the hike will be observed in silence but we will integrate meditation practices throughout the day — allowing our senses to come alive and our sense of separateness fall away. Turning our attention inward allows us to become receptive to both of our outer and inner experiences. The dynamic outdoor conditions will be a perfect container for mindfulness practices. The hike will be approximately from 10am – 3pm. Who: Lin Gordon When: 8:15am-3pm, Sunday, October 20, 2019 Where: Rockland Lake State Park, South Entrance on Route 9W and Lake Road (parking lot #4). Valley Cottage, NY. (299 Lake Rd. Valley Cottage, NY, 10989). There is a picnic …

Sat. July 13, 2019 – Summer Hike to Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake State Park (on the Long Path)

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“Walking mindfully on the Earth can restore our peace and harmony, and it can restore Earth’s peace and harmony as well.  We are children of the Earth.  We rely on her for our happiness, and she relies on us also.  Whether the Earth is beautiful, fresh and green, or arid and parched depends on our way of walking.  When we practice walking meditation beautifully, we massage the Earth with our feet and plant seeds of joy and happiness with each step.  Our Mother will heal us, and we will heal her.” — Thich Nhat Hanh Register Enjoy a summer day in the peaceful beauty of the Hudson Valley.  This guided, meditative hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain (698 ft). Enjoy expansive vistas only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary space designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. Take a walk into the woods to connect with nature and ourselves.  We’ll integrate sitting and walking nature …

Sat. November 24, 2018: Thanksgiving Meditative Hike to Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake State Park (on the Long Path)

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  “Walking mindfully on the Earth can restore our peace and harmony, and it can restore Earth’s peace and harmony as well.  We are children of the Earth.  We rely on her for our happiness, and she relies on us also.  Whether the Earth is beautiful, fresh and green, or arid and parched depends on our way of walking.  When we practice walking meditation beautifully, we massage the Earth with our feet and plant seeds of joy and happiness with each step.  Our Mother will heal us, and we will heal her.” — Thich Nhat Hanh   Register Immerse in the peaceful beauty of autumn in the Hudson Valley before winter arrives. This guided, meditative hike takes the scenic route along the Long Path—into the Rockland Lake State Park and up Hook Mountain (698 ft). Enjoy expansive vistas only 1.5 hours outside of the city, and an extraordinary space designated by the New York Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. As we head into deep fall, take a walk into the woods to connect …