The Annual John Lennon Tribute

Proceeds from the Annual John Lennon Tribute help make possible Meditation as the Still Point, an ongoing meditation workshop for cancer survivors, those undergoing treatment and their family members. The workshop offers basic instruction in Zen meditation and opportunities to practice mindfulness in a supportive setting. 

Meditation as the Still Point was created for Theatre Within by Zen teacher Konrad Ryushin Marchaj, who entered full-time residential training at the Zen Mountain Monastery in 1992 and served as abbot from October 2009 to January 2015. Drawing on his extensive background as a physician and psychiatrist, Ryushin’s infectious interest and thorough training in the workings of the mind, combined with his skill at translating complex concepts into everyday language, characterize his unique teaching style.  

“At its most profound, meditation is non-doing,” say Ryushin. “It is the ultimate and complete relaxation into the inherent wakefulness and clarity of our minds, and the compassionate impulse of our hearts. Starting at every available moment, which is this moment, we have access to the unprecedented scope and precision of wisdom that relies on nothing other than trusting our awareness and openness.” 

Launched in the spring of 2016, Meditation as the Still Point quickly became the most popular daytime program at Gilda’s Club, NYC.