The Mindfulness Project at New York University
The Mindfulness Project at New York University
New York, New York 10012
Description of Organization
The Mindfulness Project program unites faculty, staff and students of NYU interested in learning meditation practices from multiple wisdom traditions. This program aspires to enrich participants’ lives through the transformative capabilities that mindfulness presents. The Mindfulness Project works through New York University’s Center for Spiritual Life, a multi-faith initiative designed to enhance the educational experience at NYU by fostering a community of scholars who support religious expression, leadership, integrity, mutual respect, and open dialogue.
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2016, a Women in Buddhism grant was awarded to New York University Mindfulness Program to fund a special NYU series, “Making Room on the Dais: Women Teaching the Dharma.” The monthly discussions, as part of the Monday evening meditation offerings, focused on topics speaking to Buddhism and women such as: Eroticism and the Power of the Sacred Feminine in Buddhism; Love, Women, and Mindfulness Practice: what Buddhism can teach us about self-empowerment; and Women, Meditation and Power. The program culminated in a large public event with Buddhist teacher, Tara Brach. Those not in attendance were able to view the event by accessing a video via NYU’s YouTube channel.
In 2015, a Women in Buddhism grant was awarded to New York University Mindfulness Program to fund a special NYU event, “Standing Up, Sitting Still: Women, Buddhism and Social Change.” The event took place in March 2015, as part of the University’s weeklong celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s relationship with Buddhist luminaries such as Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as the integration of eastern spirituality into his work. This event was an innovative incorporation of mind, body, and spirit by offering attendees a lively discussion from the feminist perspective on Buddhism and its often-misunderstood relationship to social change including a panel discussion with prominent female Buddhist teachers, some light yoga practice, and guided meditation. Participants were able to view the event in person or via video recording.
In 2014, a grant in the amount of $20,000 was awarded as a seed grant to support NYU’s “Mindfulness in Business Initiative” at the Stern School of Business School at NYU. The program provided scalable, replicable mindfulness curricula and training modules for MBA students, staff and faculty. The Initiative offered co-curricular workshops, retreats, programs and events that allowed the entire Stern community to examine business leadership through a mindfulness lens.
In 2014, a grant in the amount of $600 was awarded for expenses to pursue the Collaboration Grant with New York Center for Contemplative Care, Brooklyn Zen Center and Auburn Theological Seminary
In 2012, a Women in Buddhism grant was awarded in order to bring leading female Buddhist teachers to the NYU campus, provide a safe space to discuss the experience of female Buddhist practitioners and leaders, and to support the practice and leadership of young women Buddhists on campus. These talks were filmed and posted to the program’s website and shared via social media for future re-use, as well as for viewing at other colleges, universities, and meditation communities around the globe.