NYC walks: Nature, beauty, & peace

DATE CHANGED TO SATURDAY
THE WALK IS ON! Probably too cloudy for Manhattanhence (63% cloudy forecast at 8) but we'll meet at 57th Street and hope for the best. Reset your expectatiions mainly for a lovely park walk on a pleasant summer evening. Manhattanhenge is the twice-yearly moment when the setting aligns perfectly with the crosstown streets of Manhattan, setting both sides of those streets aglow. Whether or not we can see that, we will then walk to Central Park. It's magically beautiful and reasonably well-lit at night.. A big group like ours should be perfectly safe, particularly since we'll stay in the southern half of the park.

DISTANCE: About 2 miles. We'll finish at around 10 PM, but you can leave earlier, of course.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Bring a flashlight and snack if you wish.

TRANSPORTATION: 4, 5, and 6 trains to Lexington and 59th St. then walk south and west to Madison and 57th.

NoT ENOUGH PEOPLE SIGNED UP, SO I'M RESCHEDULING FOR THE NEXT MONDAY, JULY 21ST
This meeting is for everyone who wants to learn how to meditate, especially those who think they can't meditate because they can't stop their mind from thinking--a common misconception. If you're willing to be open and aware, you can meditate, regardless of how much or how little you're thinking.
I will emphasize a simple awareness method, but I'll also describe the other two common techniques, mantra and breath watching, in case you feel more comfortable with those.
We wlill start with a short 10 minute meditation, then progress to longer sessions. In between we will discuss our experiences and any questions that may arise.
COST: Free.
LOCATION: After meeting outside Central Park, we will walk about 5 minutes to a quiet patio with chairs overlooking a pond:
CLOTHING: Check the hourly forecast on weather.com and dress to sit outside comfortably until 8:30.
TRANSPORTATION: 6 train to 77th St, then walk west on 77th, then walk 3 blocks west to Fifth Avenue.
MY QUALIFICATIONS: I have been meditating daily for about fifty years. I attended a weekly Sufi silent meditation group for 24 years and a Buddhist one for 3.years, àlthough my approach will be primarily secular. And I wrote an article for the Berkley Wellness Letter about myths that discourage people from meditating.

We'll take the free Staten Island ferry, then walk to the sprawling grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum. The Center includes:

• Spectacular, authentic Chinese scholar’s garden
• Staten island nature and history museum
• Free sailor's museum
• Several other lovely gardens and greenhouses plus an outdoor labyrinth
• Wetlands nature path plus an ornamental pond
• Many beautiful old buildings
• We’ll walk along the waterfront, featuring spectacular views of Manhattan, for about 20 minutes. Then we'll take a short bus ride to Snug Harbor. At the end of the day you’ll have the option to walk or take the bus back to the ferry.
• Don't be late: The ferry leaves at 1;30!

DISTANCE: About 2 to 3.5 miles, depending on whether you walk or take the bus back to the ferry.

FINISH AT: About 6 PM at the ferry terminal in Manhattan, but you can leave earlier, of course, by walking or taking the bus back to the ferry.

SNACK BREAK: Bring your own or buy something at the ferry terminal.

COST: Pay what you wish for the museum, though it has suggested fees; $5 for the Chinese Scholar's Garden; and bus far (same as subway).

TRANSPORTATION: 4 or 5 train to Bowling Green (then walk south) or R or 1 train to Whitehall/South Ferry. (But R from Brooklyn will not stop at Whitehall on Sunday, though Q will stop there.) Google MTA planned service changes for weekend subway changes on your lines.