The Dharma Student Project

advanced training in meditation and mindfulness skills

with Peter Doobinin
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In The Dharma Student Project, Peter Doobinin provides an opportunity, through one-on-one coaching, for dharma students to strengthen and deepen their practice.  Offered online, this advanced training in what the Buddha taught - including the development of strong, maintainable concentration and a way to skillful living - is available to experienced practitioners with a sincere wish to move further along the path.
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For more than two decades, as a teacher in the Theravada Buddhist (Insight Meditation) tradition, Peter Doobinin has helped dharma students to deepen their practice.  His experience has shown that....

*** Students who learn advanced skills in meditation know a lessening of suffering and greater happiness in their lives.

***  Lay men and women, living "in the world," are able to develop advanced meditation practice.
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*** To develop an advanced practice, we're best served if we follow a skills-based approach taught through a close teacher-student relationship.

​The Dharma Student Project
Advanced Dharma Practice
The Dharma Student Project provides training in advanced meditation skills, in the service of teaching students to develop strong, maintainable concentration.  The instruction is geared specifically to practitioners who wish to learn to cultivate the Buddha's concentration (jhana) primarily through a daily practice, within the constructs of their in-the-world lives.  We also provide teaching in various other dharma skills.  What determines whether you are an advanced student?  There are no set guidelines.  However, you should have practiced the dharma for several years and have an understanding of "beginners' level" meditation methodology.  Most importantly, what is "required" is an earnest commitment to developing and deepening your practice.  In your initial consultation with the teacher, we'll be able to discuss whether what we offer is suitable for you.
Training Modules
The core module comprises an eight-week training in mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati), designed to teach students to develop strong, maintainable concentration in their daily practice.  In this eight week period, the student and the teacher will meet online, via Skype, for nine (9) one-hour sessions.  The module includes written materials, readings, dharma talks, etc.  The fee for the eight-week module is $500.  Students may also wish to participate in training in an effort to develop their skill and understanding in various  elements of the dharma, including the four foundations of mindfulness, four noble truths, seven factors for awakening, five aggregates,  five faculties, noble eight-fold path, sublime abidings, and so forth.  Modules may be customized to meet students' needs in terms of time and areas of interest.  More information on training modules is found on the Programs page.
Peter Doobinin
Peter Doobinin has dedicated his life, for more than 20 years, to teaching the dharma.   As a founder of New York Insight, Downtown Meditation Community (in NYC), and Berlin Dharma, Peter has sought to teach students to develop dharma practice as lay people, living amidst the speed and complexity of contemporary life.  Over the years, he's taught hundreds of students, most with busy lives, jobs, relationships, family responsibilities, etc., to cultivate advanced breath meditation practice and skills for living wisely and joyfully in the world.  Peter's focus has been to work with small numbers of students, in an effort to provide a close teacher-to-student relationship.  In starting The Dharma Student Project, he's seeking to offer this kind of intimate instruction to more beings with a commitment  to advancing their practice.
 Technology

Students use Zoom or Skype for the online meetings.

Many students find Zoom particularly effective in terms of ease of use.  The quality of video and audio is excellent.  It works on all devices.  And it's free!

This short video demonstrates how easily you can enter a Zoom meeting:
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Putting the Heart Practices to Good Use

an online weekend retreat

the retreat consists of four separate hour-and-a-half modules.  there is a continuity from one class to the next.  but each class stands alone.  

each module is a drop-in.  to join a class please go the the Zoom meeting room a few minutes before we're about to begin.  to receive the link for the meeting room, please send an email.

Here is a list of the modules:

Putting the Heart Practices to Good Use
A Weekend Online Retreat
(all times EST)
 
Lovingkindness
Friday, April 3
4pm to 5:30pm (EST)
 
Equanimity
Saturday, April 4
10am to 11:30am (EST)
 
Compassion
Saturday, April 4
4pm to 5:30pm  (EST)
 
Joy
Sunday, April 5
10am to 11:30am  (EST)
 

In coping with the difficulties in life, the dharma student makes an effort put the heart practices to good use.  In these four classes, we’ll learn to develop our skill with these four elemental practices:  lovingkindness, equanimity, compassion, and joy.  This weekend online “retreat” will include four separate classes, in each of which we’ll delve into one of the heart practices.  There will be continuity between each class, but each class will also stand alone.  The modules will include teaching, practice and discussion.  There is no fee for these programs; if you wish, you can make a donation to the teacher.  

 
To join the classes in the “Heart Practices” retreat, please send an email to receive the Zoom link.

Please Note:  The April Retreat has been cancelled.
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2020 Dharma Student Project Retreats

April Eight-Day Retreat (cancelled)
April 2 to April 10
Powell House, Old Chatham, NY

July Three-Day Retreat
July 23 to July 26
Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY

November Eight-Day Retreat
November 4 to November 12
Powell House, Old Chatham, NY


For information about the retreats, visit the Retreats page.