Urban Mindfulness: Taking It to the Streets

Mindfulness--nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment--is a very powerful practice that can improve our lives.  Contemporary psychology has incorporated mindfulness into very effective psychotherapies, while the Buddha declared mindfulness to be the direct path to nirvana (as outlined in the Satipatthana sutra).  However, the practice of mindfulness doesn't begin and end on the meditation cushion.  It is a way of being that we can introduce into all area of our lives, including common experiences in New York City.  In tonight's class, you will learn how to bring the practice of mindfulness to mundane urban experiences, such as riding the subway, waiting in line, and encountering homeless people on the street.  By integrating mindfulness more thoroughly and systematically into your daily life, you will firmly establish a foundation for greater peace and well-being.  

Dr. Jonathan S. Kaplan is a clinical psychologist, Brooklyn-based dad, and author of the book,Urban Mindfulness: Cultivating Peace, Presence, and Purpose in the Middle of It All.  He has been teaching mindfulness and meditation for over a decade, most recently focusing on the teachings of Theravada Buddhism.  His work has been featured on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, O. Magazine, and elsewhere.  He is a Founding Fellow of the New York City Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Association, and serves as the Founding Director of UrbanMindfulness.org.  Dr. Kaplan has faculty appointments at The New School and Yeshiva University.  He regularly offers lectures and trainings for groups as well as psychotherapy for individuals and couples.  For more information, please visit JonathanSKaplan.com. 

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