August 21 – Meditation: Stable as a Mountain, Calm as a Lake

Jeff is a Buddhist NYPD Officer and Arnold lived for two year in a monastery. Discover the experience of living in a monastic community and a work environment that at times can seem very much like the opposite of a calm mountain retreat. Two very different environments for how to work with mindfulness and awareness in everyday life.

Jeff Thompson has been practicing Buddhism for approximately 12 years. He is a New York Police Officer working in the Community Affairs Bureau, doing outreach with the various communities to create a friendship based on mutual understanding and respect falls in line with his dedication to live by the 5 Mindfulness Trainings taught by his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. Jeff does extensive outreach with many Buddhist Sanghas of New York City on behalf of the NYPD, the Buddhist Council of New York and other groups. He always welcomes questions, and comments—jeff@1sangha.com

Arnold first received meditation instruction at Seattle Shambhala Center in 1992, shortly after completing his BFA in Jazz Music Performance at The Cornish College of the Arts.  In 1994, he attended his first Dathun at Karme Choling and met the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.  In 2000 he became a student of Sakong Mipham Rinpoche, attending the Vajradhatu Seminary.  In 2005 he moved to Gampo Abbey where he took temporary ordination as a Buddhist monk.  In 2007 he returned to New York City to resume a dual career as a legal secretary and jazz trumpet player.  He recently became a formal student of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, practices Qi Gong with Master Sat Hon at Dan Tao Center of New York.