Oren Jay Sofer's Dharma Talks
    
    
              
              
 
            
    
        Oren Jay Sofer  
 
    
        
                            
      Developing a clear understanding of the teachings and learning to fully inhabit the body have been core parts of my Dhamma practice.  These areas, as well a strong emphasis on the heart, inform and shape my teaching. The few years I spent training as an Anagarika in the Thai Forest monasteries broadened my understanding of the Buddha's teachings and instilled a profound respect for the Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha.  All along the way, I've been particularly interested in how other modalities like Nonviolent Communication and Somatics can support our growth in awakening.
        
    
      
 
    
        
            
    --
    
            Select from Oren Jay Sofer's
            244
            talks
    
     -- 
    VIEW ALL 
    
        2018-06-02
            "Mindfullness: Freedom from Bias" 
    
        2014-06-17
            "Where Are You Coming From?"  Brahmavihara as a foundation for Wise Speech 
    
        2025-04-03
            A Gentle Introduction to Metta Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2018-05-09
            A Meditation for Difficult Conversations: Guidance from the Suttas 
    
        2017-03-26
            A Path of Happiness: The Gradual Training (Guided Meditation) 
    
        2017-03-26
            A Path of Happiness: The Gradual Training (Morning Session) 
    
        2020-04-14
            A Strong and Flexible mind (part 1): Patience 
    
        2020-04-21
            A Strong and Flexible Mind (part 2): Resolve 
    
        2020-04-02
            Approaching the practice, meeting the truth 
    
        2024-12-19
            Attuning and Settling with an Anchor (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2017-12-10
            Balance & Strength in Difficult Conversations: The Simile of Saw 
    
        2019-03-06
            Balanced Energy, Wise Effort (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2025-02-25
            Beyond Control, Within Our Hands: The Power of Compassion & Equanimity. 
    
        2023-10-02
            Bridge the Gap: Integrating Spiritual Practice into Life 
    
        2018-05-09
            Building on Retreat, Taking the Practice Home 
    
        2017-12-03
            Closing Q&A 
    
        2018-03-26
            Closing Q&A 
    
        2020-04-30
            Closing Session + Q&A 
    
        2017-12-01
            Coming Close to Experience: Arousing Factors of Awakening 
    
        2020-04-07
            Coming Home in the Body 
    
        2019-02-10
            Communication as Daily Practice 
    
        2019-02-14
            Communication as Dharma practice 
    
        2021-04-01
            Compassion like an Old Friend 
    
        2020-02-17
            Compassion Teaching and Guided Meditation 
    
        2017-03-20
            Compassion, Willingness and Courage 
    
        2019-03-11
            Confidence in the Path: Learning to Trust (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2017-12-08
            Crafting our Words, Shaping the Heart 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
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        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
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        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2015-01-11
            Cultivating Inner Freedom: Using the Power of Choice to Live with Integrity 
 … 
    
        2017-12-03
            Cultivating Practice, Expressing Dharma 
    
        2023-12-18
            Cultivation and the Four Noble Truths (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2018-10-13
            Day 1, Part 3: Direct and Indirect Practices for Pain: Choice is Key 
    
        2018-10-13
            Day 1, Part 4: Compassion Guided Meditation 
    
        2018-10-13
            Day 1, Part 5: Directly Facing Pain with Compassion 
    
        2018-10-13
            Day 1, Part 6: Indirect Practices for Resiliency with Pain 
    
        2018-10-14
            Day 2, Part 2: Guided Practice: Review of Day 1 Tools 
    
        2018-10-14
            Day 2, Part 3: Resistance in Relationship to Pain 
    
        2018-10-14
            Day 2, Part 4: Guided Practice on Resistance to Pain 
    
        2018-10-14
            Day 2, Part 5: Guided Visualization: Practicing with Pain 
    
        2018-10-14
            Day 2, Part 7: Exploring Pain Directly 
    
        2018-10-14
            Day 2, Part 9: Guided Direct Practices with Pain 
    
        2018-01-19
            Developing Compassion & Skill with Pain 
    
        2014-11-08
            Devotion: The Heart Of Practice 
    
        2020-04-28
            Devotion: The Heart of Practice 
    
        2015-09-10
            Dharma and Making Decisions 
    
        2017-06-18
            Dharma Practice as Play 
    
        2013-06-12
            Empathy and the practice of relationship 
    
        2019-02-05
            Engaged Buddhism 
    
        2018-03-13
            Equanimity 
    
        2018-06-02
            Equanimity in a Sensitive Body (Talk) 
    
        2018-06-03
            Equanimity in Action and Daily Life 
    
        2018-06-03
            Equanimity in Relationship 
    
        2018-03-26
            Equanimity: A Wise and Balanced Perspective 
    
        2016-10-23
            Equanimity: Poise in Life 
    
        2015-02-26
            Equanimity: The Balance of Awareness 
    
        2020-02-18
            Equanimity: Training The Heart, Responding With Love 
    
        2018-03-24
            Expansive Metta - Guided Practice 
    
        2018-04-26
            Exploring Our Experience with Nonviolent Communication 
    
        2018-06-03
            Final Q&A, Dedication of Merit 
    
        2019-05-21
            Finding Balance In Life 
    
        2017-05-23
            Finding Balance, Sustaining Wise Action 
    
        2017-03-22
            Five Ways to Transform your Meditation Practice 
    
        2018-03-26
            Forgiveness: Freeing the Heart 
    
        2020-02-24
            Form and Spirit: Meditating Outside of the Box 
    
        2025-02-26
            Freeing the Heart from Enmity: Metta for the Difficult 
    
        2018-03-26
            Guided Equanimity Meditation 
    
        2018-03-26
            Guided Forgiveness Meditation 
    
        2018-03-25
            Guided Meditation - Joy and Gratitude 
    
        2018-03-24
            Guided Meditation - Settling and Arriving 
    
        2021-12-20
            Guided Meditation & Instructions 
    
        2018-03-25
            Guided Meditation on Compassion (with Q&A) 
    
        2021-11-30
            Guided Meditation: Anchoring Attention and Settling (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2017-12-08
            Guided Meditation: Arriving and Opening to Experience 
    
        2018-03-25
            Guided Meditation: Breathing through Compassion 
    
        2018-03-26
            Guided Meditation: Embodied Equanimity Practice 
    
        2018-05-05
            Guided Meditation: Embodied Kindness 
    
        2018-05-05
            Guided Meditation: Embodied Mindfulness 
    
        2018-06-02
            Guided Meditation: Equanimity in a Sensitive Body 
    
        2018-06-03
            Guided Meditation: Equanimity in Relationship 
    
        2018-06-02
            Guided Meditation: Equanimity of Being Here 
    
        2018-06-02
            Guided Meditation: Establishing Equanimity with the Unpleasant 
    
        2017-12-09
            Guided Meditation: Exploring Needs 
    
        2018-06-02
            Guided Meditation: Gratitude, Ease, and Steadiness 
    
        2016-10-22
            Guided Meditation: Grounding and Opening 
    
        2022-04-07
            Guided Meditation: Joy 
    
        2022-01-12
            Guided Meditation: Nourishing the Heart 
    
        2017-12-03
            Guided Meditation: Receiving Experience 
    
        2018-04-24
            Guided Meditation: Relaxed & Curious Body Scan 
    
        2018-04-20
            Guided Meditation: Settling and Arriving 
    
        2020-04-20
            Guided Meditation: Steadying through Resolution 
    
        2020-04-06
            Guided Meditation: Tone and Learning to be a Good Friend 
    
        2020-04-13
            Guided Meditation: Unfolding Patience 
    
        2015-02-24
            Guided metta - Neutral Person, With Q&A 
    
        2018-05-18
            Guided Metta (Benefactor and Self) 
    
        2018-03-24
            Guided Metta Meditation (with Instructions) 
    
        2023-04-05
            Guided Metta meditation for body with Q&A 
    
        2015-02-22
            Guided Metta Meditation with Q&A 
    
        2018-03-24
            Guided Metta-Good friend 
    
        2018-04-26
            Guided Metta: Those We Overlook 
    
        2015-02-21
            Guided Mindfulness Meditation 
    
        2018-03-26
            Guided Mindfulness Meditation 
    
        2018-04-27
            Guided Mindfulness Meditation 
    
        2017-05-18
            Guided Mindfulness Practice 
    
        2018-08-01
            Hearing the Call 
    
        2017-12-02
            Held in Awareness: Calming Factors of Awakening 
    
        2021-06-17
            How we Hold the Practice: Guided Meditation and Instructions 
    
        2020-04-17
            Insight and Resilience during Times of Crisis 
    
        2019-09-30
            Insight and Resilience in Times of Change 
    
        2019-09-30
            Insight and Resilience in Times of Change-guided meditation 
    
        2019-07-25
            Insight Meditation in 2019 
    
        2017-11-30
            Instructions and Guided Meditation: Establishing the Anchor 
    
        2016-02-23
            Instructions On Thoughts and Emotions 
    
        2017-03-19
            Instructions: compassion practice 
    
        2018-06-02
            Introduction to Equanimity 
    
        2020-02-15
            Introduction To Lovingkindness 
    
        2018-04-23
            Introduction to Metta Practice 
    
        2024-02-22
            Introduction to metta practice 
    
        2018-04-25
            Introduction to Nonviolent Communication: Core Views 
    
        2014-11-01
            Journey To Embodiment 
    
        2017-11-29
            Just Enough Mindfulness 
    
        2024-02-21
            Kindness rooted in love 
    
        2018-08-05
            Learning to be a Friend and an Ally 
    
        2020-04-27
            Living from Moment to Moment: Reflection & Guided Meditation 
    
        2024-05-08
            Living with a Courageous Heart in Times of Crisis: A Conversation with Tara Bra… 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain - all day recording 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 1: Introduction 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 2: Four Ways to Practice with Physical Pain 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 3: Q&A 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 4: Cultivating Wisdom 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 5: Wisdom Q&A 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 6: Balance and Equanimity 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 7: Balance Q&A 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 8: Balance and Guided Meditation 
    
        2016-07-17
            Meditation for Pain 9: Compassion, Investigation, Q&A 
    
        2019-05-18
            Meeting Adversity With Love 
    
        2015-03-06
            Meeting the Heart and Mind 
    
        2018-05-21
            Metta For All Groups 
    
        2018-04-25
            Metta for Other, Metta for Self 
    
        2023-04-04
            Metta Instructions 
    
        2022-05-20
            Metta instructions in guided meditation 
    
        2017-03-18
            Metta Practice: Basic Instructions 
    
        2017-10-08
            Mindful Communication: How to Create Real Dialogue and Healthy Relationships - … 
    
        2017-10-08
            Mindful Communication: How to Create Real Dialogue and Healthy Relationships - … 
    
        2017-10-07
            Mindful Communication: How to Create Real Dialogue and Healthy Relationships (p… 
    
        2017-10-07
            Mindful Communication: How to Create Real Dialogue and Healthy Relationships (p… 
    
        2019-12-17
            Mindfulness is Intimacy with Life (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2016-02-24
            Mindfulness of Emotions 
    
        2018-03-25
            Mindfulness with Breathing 
    
        2018-03-05
            Monday Night Dharma Talk 
    
        2022-06-13
            Monday Night Dharma Talk - Progress on the Spiritual Path and Finding a Teacher 
    
        2025-02-23
            Morning Instructions: Metta Practice + Guided Meditation for Benefactor 
    
        2017-11-30
            No Problem Hindrances 
    
        2018-01-19
            Opening Meditation 
    
        2020-04-02
            Opening Meditation: A Fox in the Woods 
    
        2018-05-04
            Opening Talk, Refuges & Precepts 
    
        2016-12-17
            Oren J Sofer and Miki Kashtan - Spirit Rock- Leadership on the Bodhisattva Path… 
    
        2016-12-17
            Oren J. Sofer and Miki Kashtan - Spirit Rock - Leadership on the Bodhisattva Pa… 
    
        2018-10-12
            Oren Jay Sofer and Evan Wong - Supporting those in Pain: Mindfulness Tools for … 
    
        2018-10-12
            Oren Jay Sofer and Evan Wong - Supporting those in Pain: Mindfulness Tools for … 
    
        2018-10-12
            Oren Jay Sofer and Evan Wong - Supporting those in Pain: Mindfulness Tools for … 
    
        2018-10-12
            Oren Jay Sofer and Evan Wong - Supporting those in Pain: Mindfulness Tools for … 
    
        2018-10-12
            Oren Jay Sofer and Evan Wong - Supporting those in Pain: Mindfulness Tools for … 
    
        2022-04-03
            Our Best Home and the Path of Awakening (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2017-12-01
            Our Duty is to Observe: Instructions and Guided Meditation 
    
        2018-04-24
            Overview of Mindful Communication & Presence 
    
        2020-04-15
            Question & Answer 
    
        2020-04-29
            Question & Answer 
    
        2020-04-22
            Question & Answer 
    
        2018-03-25
            Question and Answer (Brahma Viharas) 
    
        2018-06-02
            Question and Answer Period (afternoon) 
    
        2018-06-02
            Question and Answer Session 
    
        2018-06-03
            Question and Answer Session 
    
        2018-06-03
            Question and Answer Session (morning) 
    
        2018-03-24
            Question and Answer: Metta 
    
        2023-09-25
            Reclaiming the Heart's Beauty (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2018-03-24
            Reflections on Resilience and the Heart 
    
        2018-05-05
            Reflections on Right Speech 
    
        2017-08-20
            Refuge, Refugees & Charlottesville: Dharma in 2017 
    
        2019-03-24
            Renunciation: The Freedom of Non-Grasping (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2018-03-25
            Resilience through Joy and Gratitude 
    
        2022-02-13
            Revealing the Clear Mind 
    
        2019-03-17
            Right Understanding (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2016-10-22
            Right View: How are You Looking at Things? 
    
        2017-05-20
            Running the River, Handling Hinderances. 
    
        2019-07-25
            Samatha - Vipassana Guided Meditation 
    
        2023-12-19
            Samatha Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2023-12-20
            Samatha Vipassana (and a little Karuna) 
    
        2011-06-03
            Sangha Refuge and the Relational Field of Practice 
    
        2018-12-05
            Say What You Mean 
    
        2016-04-14
            Seven Factors of Awakening 
    
        2019-01-25
            Skillful Speech in Difficult Times 
    
        2017-10-28
            Slow and Steady: Establishing Successful Meditation Techniques - Part 1 Morning 
    
        2017-10-28
            Slow and Steady: Establishing Successful Meditation Techniques - Part 2 Morning 
    
        2017-10-28
            Slow and Steady: Establishing Successful Meditation Techniques - Part 3 Afterno… 
    
        2015-07-25
            Speech as Foundation and Insight 
    
        2019-01-28
            Susaining the Heart: The Foundations of Contemplative Practice 
    
        2019-02-04
            Sustaining the Heart: Energy on the Spiritual Path 
    
        2018-05-23
            Taking the Practice Home (Closing Reflections) 
    
        2017-12-06
            Technology, Meditation & Relationship: Waking Up in the Modern World 
    
        2019-01-11
            The Art of Mindful Communication: guided meditation 
    
        2019-01-11
            The Art of Mindful Communication: Right Speech in a Post-Truth World 
    
        2021-08-20
            The Art of Samatha-Vipassana: Instructions & Guided Meditation 
    
        2017-05-08
            The Beauty of Integrity, Monday night drop-in class at Spirit Rock 
    
        2018-05-22
            The Company We Keep: Reflections on Friendship 
    
        2018-03-24
            The Contemplative Path and Resilience 
    
        2025-04-02
            The Courage to Love (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 
    
        2017-12-09
            The Deep Freedom of Human Needs 
    
        2014-08-07
            The Five Spiritual Faculties 
    
        2021-04-07
            The Foundations of Contemplative Practice 
    
        2011-06-01
            The Heart that Feels 
    
        2016-02-22
            The Inner Friend 
    
        2018-05-02
            The Middle Way 
    
        2015-07-24
            The Path of Wise Speech 
    
        2017-12-02
            The Poetry of Sound: Guided Meditation & Instructions 
    
        2018-03-25
            The Power of Kindness and Compassion 
    
        2022-06-08
            The Power of Rest 
    
        2018-04-20
            The Role of Presence in Communication 
    
        2018-07-19
            The Spirit of Play in Dharma: Enjoying Your Meditation Practice: 
    
        2018-04-27
            The Spirit of Requests 
    
        2017-03-18
            The strength of Kindness 
    
        2025-02-22
            The Transformative Power of Metta 
    
        2017-11-29
            The Value of Retreat: Opening Talk 
    
        2021-01-08
            Touching Joy and Meeting Difficulties 
    
        2022-01-12
            Training the Heart 
    
        2018-04-24
            Transforming Intention in Spiritual Practice and Relationship 
    
        2018-01-19
            Welcome and Introduction to Meditation for Pain 
    
        2018-01-19
            What is Pain? 
    
        2018-04-20
            What is Real Dialogue? 
    
        2017-12-05
            Why Relationship Matters: Freeing our Minds, Freeing our World 
    
        2021-12-03
            Wisdom and Insight 
    
        2018-06-02
            Wise Balance with the Conditions of Life 
    
        2017-06-03
            Wise Decisions 1: Opening Reflection 
    
        2017-06-03
            Wise Decisions 2: Opening Talk 
    
        2017-06-03
            Wise Decisions 8: Equanimity with the Outcome 
    
        2016-10-21
            Words that Lead to Awakening 
    
        2017-12-07
            Words that Lead to Awakening: Right Speech and the Capacity to Connect 
    
        2024-01-04
            Your Heart Was Made For This 
    
 
         
     
    
        
            
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        Select one of Oren Jay Sofer's 48 retreats
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        1900-01-01
            IMCB Regular Talks 
    
        1900-01-01
            Monday and Wednesday Talks 
    
        1900-01-01
            NYI Regular Talks 
    
        2011-05-29
            Mindfulness, Wise Speech, and Compassionate Communication 
    
        2014-06-15
            Mindful Communication: A Wise Speech Retreat 
    
        2014-08-04
            Young Adults Retreat 
    
        2014-10-25
            Three Month - Part 2
 
    
        2015-01-06
            Essential Dharma Meditation Retreat 
    
        2015-02-20
            Metta: Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2015-02-28
            March Insight 1 Month Retreat 
    
        2015-07-24
            The Path of Wise Speech: Living the Teachings 
    
        2016-02-19
            Establishing Presence: Insight Meditation Retreat  
    
        2016-10-21
            The Path of Wise Speech: Living the Teachings 
    
        2017-03-17
            Strengthening the Heart, Cultivating Kindness: Metta Retreat 
    
        2017-05-17
            Metta: Lovingkindness Retreat  
    
        2017-06-03
            The Dharma of Decisions, Daylong program at Spirit Rock with Oren J. Sofer 
    
        2017-11-29
            Cultivating Inner Freedom 
    
        2017-12-07
            Right Speech: Words That Lead to Awakening 
    
        2018-01-19
            Meditation for Pain Management 
    
        2018-03-24
            Strengthening Resilience, Finding our Home 
    
        2018-04-20
            Mindful Communication: How to Create Real Dialogue & Healthy Relationships 
    
        2018-04-23
            Mindful Communication: A Wise Speech Retreat 
    
        2018-05-04
            Relational Dharma: Waking up Together 
    
        2018-05-16
            Metta: Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2018-06-02
            Equanimity in Difficult Times 
    
        2018-08-01
            The Way of Insight 
    
        2018-10-13
            Bringing Ease to Pain: Meditation for Pain Management 
    
        2019-03-02
            March Insight Meditation 1-Month 
    
        2019-05-15
            Metta: Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2019-12-16
            Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat 
    
        2020-02-14
            Strengthening the Heart: Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2020-04-02
            Forest Refuge April Retreat Online 
    
        2021-01-06
            January 2021 Insight Meditation Retreat 
    
        2021-03-31
            Steadying the Heart 
    
        2021-06-16
            Awareness and Love: Insight Meditation Retreat 
    
        2021-08-19
            The Way of Insight 
    
        2021-11-29
            Concentration and Insight 
    
        2021-12-18
            "Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light" with Heather … 
    
        2022-02-12
            Clear Mind, Open Heart: An Introduction to Insight Meditation 
    
        2022-04-02
            Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States 
    
        2022-05-18
            Metta: Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2023-04-02
            Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2023-09-23
            Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States 
    
        2023-12-17
            Insight Meditation Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Li… 
    
        2024-02-20
            Lovingkindness Retreat 
    
        2024-12-18
            Winter Solstice Retreat: Embracing the Dark, Inviting the Light 
    
        2025-02-21
            Lovingkindness Retreat – 25MOS 
    
        2025-04-01
            Steadying the Heart: Refuge through the Four Sublime States 
    
 
         
     
    
        
            
         
        
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
    
	
        
		
			
		
			
		
			
		
			
                
                    
    
      
      
        
           
  2017-03-26 
  A Path of Happiness: The Gradual Training (Morning Session)
 
3:04:21 
         
        
            
        
         
       
        
        
      
    
  
  
    
    
      
        
      
      Many are drawn to Buddhism and spirituality with a keen interest in meditation. Yet before offering any meditation instructions, the Buddha guided his disciples in a progression of practice known as The Gradual Training. This training provides a step-by-step approach to living a life of meaning and inner happiness, and culminates in the highest fruit of contemplative practice – Awakening.
During this day of integrated practice, we explored these essential aspects of the Buddhist path as a ground for happiness and the foundation of meditation.
     
          
            
            	New York Insight Meditation Center 
           
       
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
                 
		
			
                
                    
    
      
      
        
           
  2017-03-26 
  A Path of Happiness: The Gradual Training (Guided Meditation)
 
23:22 
         
        
            
        
         
       
        
        
      
    
  
  
    
    
      
        
      
      Many are drawn to Buddhism and spirituality with a keen interest in meditation. Yet before offering any meditation instructions, the Buddha guided his disciples in a progression of practice known as The Gradual Training. This training provides a step-by-step approach to living a life of meaning and inner happiness, and culminates in the highest fruit of contemplative practice – Awakening.
During this day of integrated practice, we explored these essential aspects of the Buddhist path as a ground for happiness and the foundation of meditation.
     
          
            
            	New York Insight Meditation Center