Basic Reiki Workshops on Saturdays Nov. 13th and Dec. 18th at 1:30pm EST

These workshops are an opportunity to intentionally gather, share, and ask questions on Reiki and to receive a Reiki healing experience.

Hybrid Attendance: Choose In-Person (limited distanced seating) or Online

REGISTER NOW

Guest Teacher Veronica Guevaras-Lovgren

Workshop 1: Intro to Reiki and Healing Experience | Sat. Nov. 13th | 1:30 to 2:30pm EST | Participants will learn what Reiki is, its benefits, and receive a Reiki healing experience. Reiki is an energetic healing technique that promotes overall well-being and peace.  

Workshop 2: History of Reiki and Healing Experience | Sat. Dec. 18th | 1:30 to 2:30pm EST | Participants will learn the history of Reiki, current research on Reiki’s efficacy, and receive a Reiki healing experience. Learn about those who developed the system of Reiki we practice today, and about the research being done to support Reiki’s effectiveness as an integrative therapy that supports mind-body-spirit wellness. 

While some students might be seated for the experience, most prefer to lie down. Note that there will be no direct contact or closeness during the experience in order to maintain our social distancing. Dress comfortably and in layers for sitting and a little mindful movement. If you wish, bring/prepare a yoga mat, blanket, and water. Feel free to have paper and pen available to document your experience. If attending in-person, yoga mats and blankets will be provided.

These are stand-alone workshops so you can choose to attend just one or both.

Covid Protocols For IN-PERSON attendance, Covid-19 Vaccination Card or proof of a current negative Covid-19 Test is required to enter each workshop. Masks are required and sanitizing of hands at entry. Limit 10 students seated a range of 4 to 6 feet apart. An Air Purifier will be turned on before and during class. | For ONLINE attendance: There are no restrictions.

Facility Concerns: The Center is on the second floor unfortunately with no elevator or wheelchair access.

REGISTER NOW

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Teacher Bio-note

Veronica Guevara-Lovgren is a Jivamukti yoga instructor and Level II Reiki practitioner. She has also received training in Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra through Ohana Rising Yoga School. Although Veronica always had an interest in yoga and Reiki, she did not always have the means to access the practice. This led Veronica to create Tres Ositos Yoga as a way to share healing modalities with those interested at no cost or by donation to fundraise for local nonprofits and organizations supporting human and non-human communities. Veronica is also the Assistant Dean of Arts and Humanities at Ocean County College.

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A donation-based program of Newark Center for Meditative Culture, a New Jersey 501c3 non-profit organization.

Giving Freely: Dana, an earnest appeal

Greetings NCMC friends,

In the spiritual and meditation domains, giving and generosity (also known as an ancient term of dana, pronounced daa·nuh) is considered a practice — even an art — that can be finely tuned and developed, partly through discipline, partly as maturing compassion.

At NCMC, as a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of you, our community, to support us through various channels — especially through monetary donations and service (time and energy). We in turn provide teachings and activities, free and donation-based, that we feel the Newark community is responsive to, appreciative of, and benefits from.

Right now, with a new opening of NCMC close upon us in a larger space and excitedly implementing and planning important projects through our first grant awards, our committed volunteers are at full capacity in their service with NCMC. We are reaching out to you to help and be a part of our team, be it through donations or service.

Larger donations might provide the funding we need to hire professionals for special projects that need to be done. Smaller donations can help to keep our bottom line secure.

Service as a volunteer is currently needed for:
1. Providing content for and integrating social media.
2. Hands-on help in the new Center with cleaning and preparing for upcoming programs.
3. Hands-on help at upcoming events (Sun Aug 29 and Sun Sep 19).
4. Optimizing and configuring our website (IT person).

Do you have spare time that you can commit either to a project or as an ongoing volunteer? Is there some other service you can offer that we may not have listed? Please let us know, we may need it!

Contact us by email to discuss potential volunteer service at info@newarkmeditation.org.

Donations by credit/debit card or PayPal can be made quickly through the top “Donate Here” button of our Linktree site or through the button below. Checks can be sent to us at Newark Center for Meditative Culture, PO Box 182, Newark, NJ 07101.

We appreciate your time in reading this.

In gratitude,
The NCMC Team

Third Saturdays: CREATIVITY AS A REMEDY — Free Basic Therapeutic Art, Meditation & Journaling Series

Six free stand-alone sessions for ages 10 through adults! Learn to use creativity as a tool to relax, reduce stress and get beyond the climate of fear. Self-exploration through movement, meditation, and color. Perfect for Individuals, Families, Groups — Children, Teens, Adults, and Seniors.

View RECORDED Sessions on YouTube any time: https://bit.ly/3xpNT3T
Uploaded a week or two after each live session.

Register for LIVE Sessions on Zoom: https://bit.ly/3yE5d6g
Scroll down for details.

Instructor Jewell Singletary
Dates Third Saturdays: Jun 19, Jul 17, Aug 21, Sep 18, Oct 16, Nov 20.
Time 10:00 to 10:30am EST
Level No experience necessary
Cost Free
Ages 10 years to adults and seniors
Location Live Online Zoom.

Participants are guided through gentle upper body tension release movements, meditations, and an interactive art activity. Every session ends with an open share and space for questions and comments. 


This free program is intended to support the mental health and well-being of families and individuals of Newark (and beyond) during this stressful covid period.

Supplies you’ll need: Notebook or paper, pencil or pen, and crayons, markers, or colored pencils.

Stand-alone classes: As each class is a specific topic, you can choose to come to as many as you like.

REGISTER ON ZOOM: https://bit.ly/3yE5d6g

TOPICS

Session 1 • June 19 • ANCESTRAL ART | Includes • Skull Shining Breath/Breath of Fire Meditation • Drawing hieroglyphics and adinkra symbols.  • Writing what each adinkra symbol means in your life. 

Session 2 • July 17 • SOUND & SHINE | Includes • Sound Bowl Meditation • Drawing sun rays with self at the center • Writing affirmations flowing outward from the center sun.

Session 3 • August 21 • LION’S BREATH | Includes • Lion’s Breath Meditation • Drawing your crown • Writing what you would like to have fill your crown with abundance in the next season.

Session 4 • September 19 • FLEXIBLE & FREE | Includes • Body Scan Meditation • Drawing a stack of birds • Writing what it means to have wings and be flexible and free.

Session 5 • October 17 • RELEASE & REPLACE | Includes • EFT Tapping | Drawing teacups with steam releasing • Writing what you want to release with the steam and what you want to fill your cup with instead.

Session 6 • November 21 • GROW IN GRATITUDE | Includes • Gratitude Meditation • Drawing floral/nature plant life • Writing what you are grateful for past, present, and future.

REGISTER ON ZOOM: https://bit.ly/3yE5d6g

BENEFITS

The top three benefits of creative practices are that they can increase resilience, lower stress, and improve mood and mental clarity.

Research shows a consistent meditation practice increases the “feel-good hormones” dopamine and neurotransmitters like serotonin. Over time, the prefrontal cortex portion of the brain thickens which contributes to retention of positive thoughts and deflection of negative ones, and the amygdala shrinks and eases our “fight, flight, freeze” stress response.

Writing, coloring and drawing activates a part of our brain called the RAS — this helps to strengthen our focus. Working with color helps to stimulate the limbic system portion of the brain which rules emotions, feelings and memories.

INSTRUCTOR BIO-NOTE

Jewell Singletary is a creative entrepreneur, educator, and multidisciplinary artist.  She specializes in performance and textile art as well as holistic wellness videos and digital documentary films. Through teaching and creating, Jewell inspires her community to utilize art, music, movement, and meditation as healing tools to achieve mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. 

A free community service program of Newark Center for Meditative Culture made possible through a grant from the Victoria Foundation.

Newark Center for Meditative Culture is a New Jersey 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your tax-deductible donations make it possible for us to continue delivering life-changing programs to the Greater Newark community and beyond.

Please donate if you are moved to do so.

Sunday, May 23 — Spring Urban HIKE: Iron & Brick meets FLOWER POWER

(Vaya al enlace de abajo para la traducción al español.)

A free guided hike in the Ironbound Section of Newark NJ. Bring your sunniest disposition (or the hike will make it sunny!), wear your most colorful or flowery clothes, and let’s breath in some outdoor air together and make new friends!

We’ll explore through body, mind, and spirit and walk, see, listen, touch, meditate, and exercise in green spaces and city sidewalks.

Perfect for Individuals, Families, Children, and Groups. Limited space so register soon! Well-behaved pets welcome to join!

When registering you can join the “NCMC Hikers” Group, create your Own Group, or go it alone!

Hike Leaders: Kazi and Les | Distance: 3 mi. (complete route) 1-2 mi. (short route) |Difficulty: Easy | Fee: Free | Age: For all ages who can walk the full or partial route (youths under 17 must be accompanied by adult) | Language: English with Spanish translation.

For Details and to Register go to ncmc-hike-caminata-ironbound.eventbrite.com.

24 Tips to Creating a Sacred Space: NCMC tip featured in Redfin article

Learn some simple steps to make an ordinary room your sacred space!

NCMC was asked by Redfin to participate in their article Transformative Tips for Creating a Sacred Space in Your Home. Kazi then submitted a tip on the importance of choosing the right seat. Check out their informative article here.

And by the way, don’t forget that Kazi’s Divine Light Sunday Morning 3-Part Series starts on March 14th at 9am EST and he’ll be going over some of his other advice on creating a sacred space and making good associations in the first session.

We appreciate the invitation from Redfin and their shining a little light on NCMC!

RISE AND SHINE YOUR LIGHT DIVINE: 3-Part Online Learning Series starts Sunday, March 14th

Live online Sunday learning sessions with Kazi guiding you in Meditations, Movement, Messages, and Meals to put the Mojo in your Mornings.

Register at ncmc-divine-light.eventbrite.com

Teacher: Kazi | Dates: March 14, 21 & 28 | Time: 9am to 10am EST | Donation: $20 suggested for the series | Age: Adults (Youths welcome for free accompanied by adults) | Level: All welcome, no experience necessary | Platform: NCMC Zoom.

Learn to:
–Weed your time mind to align with nature’s auspicious and propitious cycles.
–Seed your intentions in the soul-soil of the season.
–Feed your soul roots vital chi food trapped in body tension via Xtension.
Bonus soul food vital break-fast recipe!

Bio-note:
Ib’nallah S. Kazi is a New York-based spiritual wilderness guide, born in Panama and raised in New York. He graduated from Adelphi University, in 1981 with a BA in Psychology. Following careers in human services, public education and public health in the New York City area, he then placed an emphasis on wellness and spiritual cultivation through his own program, presently known as Our Shaman Song. As a spiritual wilderness guide, he gently awakens the inner guidance of wellness seekers through the process of integrating the medicinal forces inherent in our Heavenly (spiritual), Human (social) and Earthly (natural) environments. Along with his friend and hiking partner Sala Nolan, Kazi founded the Harriet Tubman Hiking Society in 1988 to expose the African-American community to the strengthening, healing and spiritually grounding benefits of immersion in nature. He is the Spiritual Director and Meditation Medicine teacher with NCMC.

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A donation-based program of Newark Center for Meditative Culture, a New Jersey 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your tax deductible donations make it possible for us to continue delivering life-changing programs to the Greater Newark community and beyond.

BE THE CHANGE: Meditation & Gentle Yoga Series

Focusing on the intention of creating positive change in lives to cultivate self-compassion in order to foster compassion toward others.

Join in on any date and donate as you can! Youths free!

Register at ncmc-yoga-meditation-change.eventbrite.com

Sundays, February 7 & 14, March 7 & 14, 2021 | 2:00 to 3:00pm EST

Instructor Ella Moncur

This four session practice series on Zoom and taught by Ella Moncur focuses on the intention of creating positive change in our own lives; cultivating self-compassion so that we can effectively show up and foster compassion towards others. Participants will develop useful tools to support self-care practices.

Appropriate for beginners to experienced students and youths aged 13 – 17.

Donation-based Donations appreciated from Adults if you can. Youths 13-17 Free.

Registration Required.

Note: You will receive the access code to Zoom by email. The Zoom Link that you will receive by email is good for use on any date of this series.

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Bio-Note Ella is a Registered Nurse, Health and Fitness Coach, Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, and Holistic Practitioner. She is the owner and founder of Just Be Holistic Health & Wellness and is a guest instructor with NCMC.

A donation-based program of Newark Center for Meditative Culture, a New Jersey 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your tax deductible donations make it possible for us to continue delivering life-changing programs to the Greater Newark community and beyond.

Nov. 7 Newark IntraCity Urban Hike: Walk with us!

You’ll be guided to explore body, mind, and spirit by walking, seeing, listening, touching and movement meditation in both nature and city.

REGISTER NOW

Newark in Yin & Yang:

The Static Sidewalks of Brick City meet the Dynamic Nature of Branch Brook Park

Saturday, November 7, 2020 | 9am to 12pm | Lincoln Park to Branch Brook Park

Hiking Guide: Kazi (with other facilitators as well) | Distance: Up to 4.5 mi. | Difficulty: Easy | Fee: FREE, donations welcome | Age: 12 years or older (12-17 accompanied by an adult)

Walk, meet new friends, talk, listen, smell, look, touch, and practice moving and walking meditation.

Our IntraCity Urban Hike will depart Lincoln Park at 9am, with a stop in Military Park, passing through Washington Park and then ending at Branch Brook Park Lenape Trail (ETA 12:00pm). Depart as you please or return together on the bus or light rail at Branch Brook Park Light Rail Station.

For a shorter journey, attendees can meet us at Military Park (ETA 9:30am) and start from there or end your hike at Military Park or Washington Park.

We suggest you dress in layers so that you may adjust if the temperature changes over the course of the hike.

REGISTER NOW

Guide Bio:

Ib’nallah S. Kazi is a New York-based spiritual wilderness guide, born in Panama and raised in New York. He graduated from Adelphi University, in 1981 with a BA in Psychology. Following careers in human services, public education and public health in the New York City area, he then placed an emphasis on wellness and spiritual cultivation through his own program, presently known as Our Shaman Song. As a spiritual wilderness guide, he gently awakens the inner guidance of wellness seekers through the process of integrating the medicinal forces inherent in our Heavenly (spiritual), Human (social) and Earthly (natural) environments. Along with his friend and hiking partner Sala Nolan, Kazi founded the Harriet Tubman Hiking Society in 1988 to expose the African-American community to the strengthening, healing and spiritually grounding benefits of immersion in nature. He is the Spiritual Director and Meditation Medicine teacher with NCMC.


Consider making a donation for the hike to support our 2020 fundraiser. We need to raise $2K by Dec. 31, 2020 to reach our goal of $5K!

Our funding goal is for development and execution of a multi-purpose Learning and Community Room, including a library, tea room, and local artisan shop, in the adjoining space to our Meditation & Mindful Movement Room. This space will be available for students, volunteers, friends, and colleagues to gather together to connect, learn, and inspire each other.

However, if Covid continues and we are unable to actualize the Learning & Community Room soon enough, our secondary plan is to develop and provide even more online learning sessions and practice tools than we already are producing now.

Ways you can help:

• Donate through your hike registration by choosing a Donation ticket.
• Make a one-time donation directly through our!
• Make a small monthly recurring donation to fit into your budget!
• Pledge: If you know you will have the funds for us by 12/31, just let us know by email at and we’ll count you in!
• Throw a Facebook Watch Party of any of our Free Recorded Teachings on the NCMC YouTube Channel and use a donate button to support NCMC!

Want to make a purchase that also supports our fundraising?

Go to the NCMC Spirit Culture Shop for a few daily awareness products! (pictured below)

A free community service program of Newark Center for Meditative Culture, a New Jersey 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Sunday, Oct. 25th — NCMC’s First Annual Fundraiser: CELEBRATING SPIRIT & CULTURE

A VIRTUAL GATHERING (on Zoom)

Sunday, October 25
1pm to 5pm ET
Online

Presenters:
Ven. Kaboggoza Buddharakhita • Akua Ishangi • Richard Ford • Mfundishi Khalil Maasi • Rebecca Li • Shaka Georges • Mesha Allen • Kamilah Crawley • Raul “Gorras” Moris • NCMC Board and more.

Join us for a live-emceed virtual fundraiser with exclusive video presentations and performances — a unique, at home experience for a meaningful cause!

We welcome you to become a Corporate Sponsor, Individual Benefactor, or General Admission Donor at an inclusive range of $5 to $600. For details on our background and $5,000 goal see About Our 2020 Fundraiser.

This event is appropriate for viewers aged 18 and older.

To learn more about the event or to attend go to:
 ncmc-first-fundraiser.eventbrite.com.

MIND, BRAIN & MEDITATION: Insights from the Nervous System — A Four-Part On-demand Online Workshop

A FOUR-PART ONLINE WORKSHOP

ENROLL NOW

Teacher: Cornelia Santschi, PhD

On-demand access: Access for each video starts at 1pm each Thursday, October 1, 8, 15, and 22 on our YouTube Channel, available 24/7. Access to all videos will end on October 29.

Length: 50 minute sessions

Platform: NCMC YouTube Channel

FEE SCALE

Individual fee: $40 for access to series

Group rate: $100 for access to series

Purchase series: $150 to own files and reuse (not for resale or distribution). NOTE: Allow two weeks from course end to receive the files.

Level: No background skills or knowledge necessary.

Summary In this series of on-demand video sessions, neuropsychologist and meditation teacher Cornelia Santschi will guide you in an exploration of the brain, mind, and nervous system to show you the potential that mindfulness and meditation can bring to reduce stress and heighten our empathic nature. Includes talks, guided meditations, practice exercises, and opportunity for questions to be answered. (Individual students or group representative can submit questions via an online form and receive a collective audio-file response from the teacher.)

SESSION TOPICS

Session 1: FOUNDATIONS – Using the Mind to Change the Brain | Oct. 1, avail. for 7 days.
Session 2: FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE – Polyvagal Theory and Self-Regulation | Oct. 8, avail. for 7 days.
Session 3: AWARENESS IN THE BRAIN – The Neural Circuits of Mindfulness | Oct. 15, avail. for 7 days.
Session 4: UPPER REACHES OF HUMAN POTENTIAL – Compassion, Kindness, and Empathy | Oct. 22, avail. for 7 days.

ENROLL NOW

Teacher Bio-note
Cornelia Santschi, PhD is a graduate of the Community Dharma Leader Program through Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation Society and is now an insight meditation teacher. She has been a vipassana (insight) meditator and dedicated student of Buddhist psychology for over 15 years. She is the director of Neuropsychology at the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery in NJ, and founder/director of Anatta World Health & Education Outreach, a grassroots non-profit that creates and supports medical and educational programs in developing countries. Cornelia, co-founder of NCMC, also serves as the Lead Insight Meditation Teacher and MBSR Coordinator with them.

A fee-based program of Newark Center for Meditative Culture.