NYC walks: Nature, beauty, & peace

DRESS WARMLY ENOUGH FOR POSSIBLY COOL EVENING
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 will start with a short 15 minute meditation, then progress to a 20 minute session. 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 spot at the sailboat pond.
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.

NOTE: There will be some moderate hill climbing. To attend you should be able to comfortably climb about four flights of stairs

Let’s visit the Cloisters--a big castle in northern Manhattan housing a renowned collection of medieval art and architecture—plus adjacent Fort Tryon Park, with a large flower and herb garden, and Inwood Hill Park, with one of the two last original forests in NYC, towering cliffs above us, and native American caves. We’ll start by touring Fort Tryon Park; then we'll have lunch (bring your own) at around 2 PM in a lovely spot overlooking the Hudson. We’ll visit the museum after lunch then explore the breathtaking scenery of Inward Hill Park.

DISTANCE: About 3 miles

FINISH AT: Around 5 PM, though you can leave after the Cloisters, at around 3:30. The nearest subway at the end will be the A train at 215th St. If you leave after the cloisters you can walk back to the A train at 190th St.

MUSEUM COST: NYS residents: Pay what you wish. Non-NYS residents: $30 adults, $22 seniors. Plus $1 for m to help cover Meetup's annual $390 organizer fee.

TRANSPORTATION: A train to 190th St. Please Google MTA planned service changes for weekend changes on your subway lines.