Columbia Insight Meditation Class ONLINE ONLY at this time

NOTICE: For the foreseeable future we will be ONLINE ONLY.

Online: Register with this link to gain access to our weekly Zoom room.

WHAT: This is an open ongoing drop-in mindfulness meditation group for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

While the forms of meditation we practice are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the study and practice of mindfulness and insight meditation is applicable to anyone from any background or religion, and all are welcome.

Donation: These teachings are available to all. Although a $10 donation is suggested, donations are not required for attendance. Donation information will be provided by each teacher in the class, and via their personal email lists.

What to Expect: Each class will include guided meditation, instruction, opportunities to practice, occasional mindful movement, and time for discussion, questions and answers.

When and where: We meet every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Online meeting: Join Zoom Meeting (click on link or copy URL and paste in browser)

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DHvJJK9vSmKvxkMy8jU5Kg

What we practice: Insight Meditation, a contemplative approach that cultivates steady attention and deepens calm through the breath or another chosen anchor. From this foundation of concentration, the practice opens into insight—an intimate exploration of the mind and body, and the ever-changing nature of sensations, emotions, and thoughts.
Insight Meditation trains us to live more fully in the present moment. It supports a growing capacity to meet life from greater stillness and steadiness, and to relate to ourselves and others with increased clarity, compassion, creativity, and ease—while gently reducing fear, anxiety, and stress.
Our work weaves together several complementary practices:

• Mindfulness — cultivating present-moment awareness
• Meditation — supporting dialogue between the conscious and subconscious minds
• Embodiment — bringing awareness into the body to access its intelligence, strength, and wisdom
• Metta (Loving-Kindness) — recognizing our shared humanness and nurturing compassion for ourselves and others
• Self-Inquiry — gently exploring subconscious patterns and beliefs, loosening the “psychic knots” that keep us feeling stuck
• Inner Guidance — reconnecting with a deep, intuitive wisdom beyond the rational mind

Alongside these personal and psychological benefits, meditation is also associated with measurable physiological effects, including reduced stress hormones, lower blood pressure, decreased anxiety and depression, and strengthened immune function.

TEACHERS:

MELANIE SCHWINDT: is a graduate of the Awareness Training Institute in collaboration with the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She combines evidence-based mindfulness training with a deep respect for the body’s wisdom, inner guidance, and the human capacity for resilience and healing.

With professional experience spanning Early Childhood Education, Suicide Prevention, and Corporate Management, Melanie has a nuanced understanding of how mindfulness and meditation support well-being across the lifespan and in diverse settings—from individuals and families to workplaces and community groups.
As a teacher, Melanie is committed to meeting people where they are—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Her approach is relational, inclusive, and deeply human, offering practical tools and contemplative practices that support navigating life’s challenges with greater clarity, steadiness, and care.

ARI PLUZNIK: Ari Pluznik walks alongside his students as a spiritual friend on the path of mindfulness and creative expression. As a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional (CMT-P) grounded in Buddhist lineage and trained in the lineage of Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Stan Eisenstein, and other respected teachers, he offers meditation guidance in the Insight tradition that helps practitioners navigate life's challenges with wisdom and compassion.

Through his music with Ari and the Buffalo Kings, he creates contemplative and joyful spaces where audiences can experience deep emotional connection and open-hearted creativity. Whether leading a meditation session or performing intimate concerts, Ari brings together traditional wisdom and artistic expression to foster genuine human connection and transformation—creating spaces where individuals can connect deeply with themselves, experience genuine community, and transform suffering into understanding.

Occasionally, guest teachers will also lead the sangha. Their bios will be provided before each class.

Contact: Please feel free to contact Ari Pluznik at adpluznik@gmail.com if you have any questions.