Description: Zen meditation, in its most basic form, is the practice of sitting relaxed and upright. Directing one’s attention single-mindedly to the breath. As we gently and repeatedly let go of thoughts and concerns that arise spontaneously in the mind, we begin to settle into direct awareness. This direct and natural awareness is who we really are, and it’s always accessible. As we awaken to it moment by moment, our self-conscious grasping and aversion ease, and our lives open up to whatever is right in front of us. 

Teacher Bio: Venerable Jissai Prince-Cherry began practicing Zen in 1994. Since then, she has maintained a daily personal practice and regularly participates in group sittings, intensive Zen meditation retreats, and periods of residential training including at a Zen monastery in Japan. She works closely with her teacher, Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede, successor to Roshi Philip Kapleau, the founder of the Rochester Zen Center. With her teacher’s on-going guidance and support, Jissai began instructing others in Zen meditation in 1999. In 2022, she was ordained as a Zen Buddhist priest and received the name “Jissai” (pronounced JEE-sigh) which means “true encounter.” Jissai is delighted to serve both the Rochester Zen Center and the Louisville Zen Center.

Description: Zen meditation, in its most basic form, is the practice of sitting relaxed and upright. Directing one’s attention single-mindedly to the breath. As we gently and repeatedly let go of thoughts and concerns that arise spontaneously in the mind, we begin to settle into direct awareness. This direct and natural awareness is who we really are, and it’s always accessible. As we awaken to it moment by moment, our self-conscious grasping and aversion ease, and our lives open up to whatever is right in front of us. 

Teacher Bio: John Pulleyn has been practicing Zen for more than 40 years, working with the late Roshi Philip Kapleau, the founder of the Rochester Zen Center and author of Three Pillars of Zen, and Roshi Kapleau’s successor, Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede.

After graduating from Oberlin College with a BA in history, John joined the Zen Center’s staff in 1968. Later he worked for many years as a paint and wallpaper contractor and software developer. John became a pediatric nurse at the age of 50, obtaining a BS and RN from SUNY Brockport and then worked for 10 years in the adolescent unit of Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

Currently John is a senior instructor at the Center as well as Head of Training and Assistant to the Abbot. He has led sesshins (meditation retreats) in Rochester and for a Zen Center affiliate group in Madison, Wisconsin. John lives in Pittsford, NY with his wife of over 40 years. The Rochester Zen Center’s website is www.rzc.org.

Description: Using the methods of Vipassana/Insight meditation for “polishing the lens of the attention,” we will draw on the deep wisdom of Jewish texts, particularly the Psalms. We will practice meeting each moment with chesed v’emet, that is, meeting each moment with both lovingkindness and truth. 

Teacher Bio: Cantor Julie Newman founded and serves as President of the Tiferet Project. Tiferet has been a source for Jewish spiritual practices in Pittsburgh such as twice weekly Jewish mindfulness meditation groups. She has been crafting and leading innovative Jewish worship services in the Pittsburgh area for 25 years. Passionate about heart-opening Jewish contemplative practices, she has been an active participant, worship leader, yoga teacher, and consultant with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality since 2004. She received Cantorial ordination and earned a Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College in Boston in 2017. She is a member of the New Community Chevra Kadisha of Pittsburgh. Raised in Southern California, Julie originally came to Pittsburgh for graduate school where she received her MBA from the Tepper School of Business in 1982 and met her husband of 37 years, Bill Klingensmith (a 3rd generation Chautauquan.) They raised their kids, Jake (31) and Ben (25) in Pittsburgh where Julie & Bill still live with their rescued greyhound, Yogi.

Description: Theravāda Buddhism is the oldest of the three major living Buddhist traditions. Originating in South Asia, it later became the predominant religion of Southeast Asia. As it has also taken root in the West, Theravāda is no longer an Asian religion, but a transnational religion practiced by global spiritualists and health practitioners. The roots of Theravāda are preserved in the Pali canon. The fundamental teachings of Theravāda include spirituality, psychology, philosophy, ethics and monasticism. Mindfulness is the practice of intentional awareness that wakes us up from functioning on automatic pilot. It is an open and allowing attitude that includes all experience. When practicing mindfulness, one remains aware of what is happening here and now inside the mind and body. The art of mindfulness involves curiosity, kindness and even a sense of humor. With mindfulness we experience freedom in the body, heart, and mind. The wisdom of practice is simple: Remember that the Presence is always here. 

Teacher Bio: Originally from Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bangladesh), Bhante (Chipamong Chowdhury) is a contemplative teacher, researcher, storyteller and monastic activist. He became a monk at the age of 6 and received traditional Buddhist education, monastic training and meditation in Sri Lanka and Myanmar (1998-2006). He also studied at the University of Toronto Canada, Naropa University Colorado, Arizona State University, and was a Fellow at the Columbia University NY. He taught courses on Contemporary Buddhism Universities in Europe and US. He is a co-editor of the book: Human Dignity: Practices, Discourses, and Transformations. His essays and writings have appeared in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Journal of Contemporary Buddhism, Buddhist Studies Reviews, and Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, among other publications. Defining himself as a nomad monk or/ a global citizen, he travels extensively in North America, Europe and Asia, teaching nomad mindfulness, inner resources, active care, and human dignity. Bringing his experience as a Theravāda/nomad monk in South and Southeast Asia, besides daily mindfulness meditation, Bhante will be offering various aspects of Theravāda Dhamma reflecting on empathy, hopes, loves, forgiveness, healings, emotional intimacy, anger, and compassionate actions, among other topics.

Description: Tibetan Buddhism offers many rich spiritual methods for calming the mind and opening the heart. This tradition encompasses all three schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, emphasizing the transformation and recognition of the pure nature of afflictions. This form of Tantric Buddhism is highly relevant in the 21st century as it calls spiritual seekers to not shy away from any aspect of the human experience — taking it all onto the path to bring us closer to our true nature.

Teacher Bio: Taking a general and non-sectarian approach to Buddhism, Mateo Mortellaro (Konchok Tsering Tengye) has years of experience leading meditation and teaching Buddhist philosophy. Mateo started his spiritual journey early in life practicing Zen Buddhism, eventually shifting focus to the Tibetan tradition, primarily within the Drikung, Kagyu and Sakya schools.

Mateo’s main teacher is His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, the world-renowned Buddhist master and Yogi. While his main practice and personal approach is of the Buddhist tradition, Mateo also follows the rich and eclectic teachings of Baba Ram Dass, giving instructions using language and methods that are accessible to Western students of all levels of experience.
Mateo has been fortunate to receive teachings and instructions directly from masters such as H.H the Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche,H.E Garchen Rinpoche, H.E Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. Other influential teachers include His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Mateo is also the founder of KTT Dharma, which is aimed at making spiritual teachings available to those interested through media sharing, interviews, his writing, and teachings.

Description: The meditation practices grounded in Hinduism came out of the rich culture of the Indus Valley and are woven into the very fabric of that culture. The practices of meditation (and the related practices of Yoga) pervade everyday Indian life and belief but also stand apart from strict Hinduism. They exist as philosophical disciplines and rigorous practices with the ultimate aim of pure transcendence or enlightenment. The emphasis of our week on Hindu Meditation is on experiential practice, as with all the Mystic Heart programs, rather than lecture or discourse. Instructions are given, we practice together, and we finish out each session with time for questions.

In our time together we will cover: 

• Japa or the repetition of a mantra — a syllable, word or words repeated over and over to generate focus and stillness of the mind. Repetition will be both whispered (Upanshu) and silent (Manasik); 

• Bija, the practice of experiencing the sensations associated with each chakra and using them to become aware of the subtle energetics and healing capacity of the body; 

• Pranayama, or deep breath and energy practice, linked to meditation; 

• Nada Yoga, or the use of sound to delve deeply into the energetics of the body; and 

• Shushumna Nadi and breath: quiet meditation with visualization of the body’s central energy channel. 

Teacher Bio: David Gluck began his study of meditation and yoga in 2001, with Jivamukti Yoga. He received accreditation as a certified yoga teacher in 2003, directly from Jivamukti founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Shortly thereafter, he began formal studies in the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, primarily under the tutelage of Douglas Veenhof, current Resident Teacher at B. Alan Wallace’s Center for Contemplative Research, Miyo Samten Ling, in Crestone, Colorado. In 2022, he became an-accredited mindfulness teacher, studying with David Nichternand the Dharma Moon community. David has taught classes, workshops, and teacher training’s both nationally and abroad. In 2013, David developed and led the Yoga Philosophy, Training and Certification course at George Brown College, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, he served as faculty for the Yoga Sanctuary Teacher Training program as Director of Philosophy, from 2013 until 2017. In 2017, David transitioned to working with children. Currently, his dharma teaching consists of private sessions wherein he helps practitioners develop and deepen their practice, and his annual participation in Chautauqua’s Mystic Heart program

Description: The word Sufi, often seen as derived from the Greek word Sophia, means wisdom. Sufism, called “the religion of the heart,” emphasizes the realization of wisdom and beauty in every dimension of life. Sufism is non-dogmatic, seeking to rise above the distinctions and differences that divide us. It is often recognized as the mystical dimension of Islam, but also has ancient roots connecting it to the light and truth found in all the world’s spiritual traditions. The Sufi recognizes life itself and nature as holy books, as sacred manuscripts offering clear guidance towards the essential Reality that transpires through existence. Sufi meditation practices help cultivate the heart, unfold the light of the soul, and clarify perception. We share meditations with light, sound, breath, movement and teaching stories including the Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz. 

Teacher Bios: Kainat Felicia Norton and Muinuddin Charles Smith are senior Sufi teachers, retreat guides, and interfaith ministers within the Inayati Sufi Order. Together they founded and facilitate the Light of Guidance Center for Sufi Studies in New York City. Charles teaches leadership and sustainability studies at Hofstra University and Felicia teaches at the United Nations International School. They are married and live in New York City. Felicia has been touring the solo dance/theatre piece ‘NOOR’, depicting the life of Noor Inayat Khan, Sufi WW2 heroine, in London, Edinburgh, UK, France, and NYC. Together Felicia and Charles co-authored the book, An Emerald Earth–Cultivating a Natural Spirituality and Serving Creative Beauty in Our World. Their book offers basic practices, poetry, and wisdom teachings from the Sufi tradition with the theme of joining inner cultivation and sacred ecology. They travel and offer retreats and workshops throughout the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe.

Description: The Torah contains many stories of mystical experiences, from visitations by angels to prophetic dreams and visions to wandering souls and reincarnation. The Talmud contains hints of a mystical school of thought that was taught only to the most advanced students. In the Middle Ages, many of these teachings were committed to writing in books like the Zohar. Like most aspects of Jewish belief, the area of mysticism is open to personal interpretation. Some traditional Jews take mysticism very seriously. Mysticism is an integral part of Chasidic Judaism and passages from Kabbalistic sources are routinely included in traditional prayer books. Other traditional Jews take mysticism with a grain of salt. One prominent Orthodox Jew, when introducing a speaker about Jewish mysticism, said, “it’s nonsense, but it’s Jewish nonsense, and the study of anything Jewish, even nonsense, is worthwhile.” The mystical school of thought came to be known as Kabbalah, meaning “to receive or accept tradition.” This body of wisdom has been developed over the centuries by people of many faiths and beliefs and its universal applicability gives the Kabbalah continued power and relevance today. 

Teacher Bio: Larry Terkel, along with his wife Susan, founded The Spiritual Life Society, an inter-denominational center for spiritual and holistic studies, where he teaches yoga and meditation and gives weekly talks. As its licensed minister, Larry has officiated at over 2,000 weddings for couples of all faiths. He is also the founder of Temple Beth Shalom, in Hudson, Ohio. Larry and Susan are co-authors of the book, Small Change: It’s the LITTLE Things in Life That Make a BIG Difference! (Tarcher/Penguin) a finalist for the 2004 National Books for a Better Life Award.

Description:

“We are all Buddhas, because only through us can understanding and love become tangible and effective.”—Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace

Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes how the meditative path can lead to awareness of our own suffering and that of others, connecting to our own fundamental wholeness as well as awakening compassion and wisdom. Meditation teaches us to return to the present moment, again and again, and through that process to become less attached to our own mental habits and concerns and to live with greater awareness and mental clarity.

Essential to the Mahayana are the twin principles of compassion and wisdom. Both of these emphasize that turning toward difficulties can provide a door to liberation, through greater care and love for oneself and others in the circumstances of our lives as they actually are in any given moment. Central to the Mahayana is the figure of the bodhisattva, someone or anyone who resolves to live through the principle of compassion to meet and embrace beings at the place of their suffering and to seek to help in any way they can. It also embraces wisdom as a way of existing beyond the ego-self, to look at it but not linger, to hold it more lightly, and even perhaps to laugh at it.

The Mahayana, or “Greater Vehicle,” came to being in India around the 1st century BCE and is now the dominant Buddhist school in East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. It thus encompasses both Tibetan and Zen Buddhism and so can feature both rich visual symbolism and spare meditative silence.

“We should view compassion as like a creative activity — it’s something that we’re doing for ourselves, for beauty, and for the sake of the world.” —Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa

Teacher Bio: Sharon Wesoky has been practicing Buddhist meditation for over 15 years. Born and raised in a Reform Jewish tradition, she regards Buddhist practice as a way to connect with an open heart alongside considering how spiritual practice can address questions of daily meaning and belonging across different faith traditions. She holds a B.A. in Politics from Brandeis University, a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University, and is Professor of Political Science at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Her research and teaching centers on Chinese feminism and comparative political philosophy, and she is the editor and chief translator of the recently-published Chinese Modernity and Socialist Feminist Theory, a collection of writings by contemporary Chinese feminist theorist Song Shaopeng.

A dharma student of Lodro Rinzler since 2014, Sharon has been a long-time member of his Buddhist Community as well as a graduate of his Mindfulness and Lovingkindness Teacher Trainings. Along with her husband, Jim Fitch, she has organized numerous retreats with Buddhist teachers for the Allegheny and Meadville communities and is also a discussion facilitator for the Ontario-based online group Community Meditation.

Sharon is currently a trainee in the Buddhist Chaplaincy program class of 2025 at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which combines academic study, Zen Buddhist training, and socially-engaged activity. As part of this program, she leads a group of volunteers teaching yoga and meditation to incarcerated women at a Pennsylvania state correctional institution. In 2024 she received Buddhist precepts and the dharma name Hōshō, “Voice of Dharma,” from Upaya’s Roshi Joan Halifax.

Sharon looks forward to leading meditation at Chautauqua centered on the teachings and practices of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom both on and off the cushion.