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FAQs

What should I expect when I arrive?

  • The entrance to the Sangha is on the side of Health & Harmony Wellness Center.  There is a set of steps to the lower level.

  • All events start on time: please arrive 10 minutes beforehand.

  • Please remove your shoes and place them in allocated areas.

  • Latecomers should enter quietly and take a seat at the back to avoid disturbing others.

 

What is dana or teacher support?

  • Dana is the Pali word for generosity. At Spirit of Love~The Rockaway Sangha events, we endeavor to keep our costs low and to offer all participants the opportunity to share in the joyful cultivation of generosity through offerings to our teachers.

  • At many events, our teachers receive no payment for their instruction: they are supported solely by the voluntary donations given by participants at the end of each event.

  • It is sincerely hoped that donations come from a spontaneous expression of the heart in gratitude and appreciation for the benefits we have received through the hearing and practice of these unexcelled teachings.

  • Regular weekly Sangha gatherings are offered at a $15. flat fee. Donations are accepted to be used for scholarships for either weekly Sangha or planned events. 

 

Am I allowed to talk?

  • Discussion is an integral part of our spiritual practice at weekly Sangha.

 

Do I have to sit on a cushion?

  • We provide cushions, benches, as well as comfortable straight back chairs.

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Are there any rules?

Most of our daylong events, especially those referred to as “retreats”, include periods of meditation. In the interest of providing a harmonious and rewarding opportunity to practice, we ask all participants to join us in creating a supportive sacred space by observing the following guidelines:

  • Please wear modest, appropriate clothing with an emphasis on comfort.

  • Please remove your shoes and place them in the allocated areas.

  • Except for the lunch period, please refrain from reading, eating, lying down or stretching in the meditation rooms during formal programs.

  • Please refrain from using any electronic devices during programs. We encourage the use of paper and pens/pencils over electronic note-taking as these devices can be extremely distracting for others around you.

  • Please do not sit on the sofa or in the lounge area during formal teaching and programs.

  • Make sure that the area you’ve been sitting in, and any cushions you’ve used, are clean before you depart.

  • Out of respect for people with environmental illnesses, we request that everyone at NYI please not wear strong fragrances or strongly scented products when attending events at NYI.  We greatly appreciate your efforts to make NYI accessible to those with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities).

  • Please keep aisles and fire exits clear of cushions and belongings.

  • Please make every effort to enter and leave meditation areas only at designated times.

  • Please sit in an attentive posture during meditation and Dharma talks.

  • Please be mindful of others when practicing walking meditation. Choose a walking path that does not cross paths of other meditators.

  • If you wish to practice yoga, please do so only if there is space and time allotted (if you’re not sure, ask the Event Manager or a volunteer).

 

What is the cancellation policy?

To cancel registration for an event, you must notify H&H in writing at least one week before the beginning of the course or event. Refunds are issued for any and all cancellations up to seven days before an event less a $10 processing fee. Less than seven days before an event, we do not offer refunds. There are no refunds for events with registration fees under $50.

 

Can I meet with a teacher privately?
Student-teacher meetings are for people who are actively practicing meditation and would like to confer with a teacher about that practice.   Discussions may focus on specific questions about one’s meditation practice itself, concerns about the integration of practice into one’s daily life,  or on an exploration of the truth as it is experienced through direct insight from meditation. email Dr. nancy privately to set up an appointment at nancygahles@gmail.com

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