Robert Chodo Campbell, co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative care, explains why the chaotic, noisy atmosphere of New York City is the “best place in the country to meditate.”
Transcript
Robert Chodo Campbell: Go ahead.
Koshin Paley Ellison: You go.
Robert Chodo Campbell: No, you go.
Koshin Paley Ellison: You go.
Robert Chodo Campbell: Go.
Koshin Paley Ellison: You.
Koshin Paley Ellison: I’m Koshin Paley Ellison, the co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.
Robert Chodo Campbell: I’m Robert Chodo Campbell, the co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care
Koshin Paley Ellison: And this is our space that we’ve been in for four years.
Robert Chodo Campbell: The cranes actually were made by our sangha members when Koshin and I were married. So they made almost a thousand cranes for wedding day, so this was their opportunity to care for us.
This is actually the best place in the country to meditate. Even here on 23rd Street, particularly here on 23rd Street, which is the main thoroughfare for the hospitals, for the fire trucks, the ambulances — constantly being reminded of what’s happening in this city. All our senses on some level are being assaulted — by smells, sounds, and yet if we can sit quietly here, how amazing is that for our practice, to be able to sit here and then go out into that huge world just out there on 23rd Street.
The entire world is contained on this island, there’s this life energy that is imbued. It’s so important to remember. It’s a great city to live in with you.
