Ethan Nichtern's new book, Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life's Eight Worldly Winds is a stimulating exploration of the shifting desires and fears that can destabilize our thoughts and emotions as we navigate our lives.

Our informal book study group meets ONLINE every 2 weeks (Thursday 4-5PM) to dive into another colorful chapter.  You can join the group at any time. You do not need to start from the beginning to be part of the group. All are welcome!

Whether you're new to mindfulness or an experienced practitioner, this book group offers a supportive space for deep reflection and meaningful conversation. 

Here’s what’s up next:

October 3  Chapter 1:  Hope and Fear

October 17  Chapter 2:  Pleasure and Pain

October 31  Chapter 3  Praise and Blame

November 14  Chapter 4:  Influence and Insignificance

November 28  Thanksgiving  no meeting

December 5  Chapter 5:  Success and Failure

Next, we’ll move on to the 2nd part of the book: the ‘powers’ that enable us to maintain some balance in the face of constantly changing circumstances.  We may further adjust the schedule to accommodate the holidays.  Check the calendar for updates.

Meeting Details:

Please register to receive the zoom link. We are asking folks to register for their first meeting only so that you can receive the Zoom link to attend. You do not need to register for future meetings.

About the Book:

In today’s culture of polarization and constant change, how do we find the confidence to navigate challenges? Is now really the time for meditation, for looking inward? What do we do with mindfulness? Meditation teacher Ethan Nichtern tackles these questions, taking contemporary considerations of power, identity, ethics, and confidence to new heights in this essential guide to self-discovery.

Ethan examines the Buddhist concept of the Eight Worldly Winds, the four paired opposites of praise and blame, pleasure and pain, fame and insignificance, and success and failure. Delving into these dichotomies reveals invaluable insights into our relationships with others (including teachers, friends, leaders, the disgraced, and the adored) and ourselves. With transformative meditation exercises, Confidence empowers us to cultivate and access our innate wisdom.

You can purchase a copy of the book online at: Powell's Books or Amazon.

About Ethan Nichtern:

For the past 20+ years, Ethan has taught meditation and Buddhist psychology classes and workshops around New York City and North America and Europe, along with working with students privately. He has primarily studied in the Shambhala and other Tibetan traditions, but has also studied Theravadan and Soto Zen Buddhism. He is also an avid yoga practitioner. He served as Shastri, or Senior Teacher-In-Residence, for the Shambhala Meditation Center of New York, from 2010-2018.