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# Cross River Meditation

Authentic Buddha Dhamma for householders

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://crossrivermeditation.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [News](https://crossrivermeditation.com/blog/) - Upcoming events, announcements, and other relevant happenings
- [Upcoming Series on Dependent Origination](https://crossrivermeditation.com/upcoming-series-on-dependent-origination/) - Dependent origination sits at the center of the Buddha's teaching, not as a doctrine to believe but as a description of how experience actually works—how one thing conditions the next, how suffering arises and, just as conditionally, ceases. In this series we follow Leigh Brasington's book Dependent Origination & Emptiness, which reads this teaching not
- [Spiritual Poetry Event](https://crossrivermeditation.com/spiritual-poetry-event/) - The July 25 session is currently being rescheduled. Stay tune for the revised date. Cross River Meditation Center and Doylestown Community Zen announce a joint project that seeks to bring lovers of spiritual poetry, from any or no faith, together to write, read, and spontaneously compose before, during, and after meditation. We will alternate periods
- [Won Retreat Schedule 2026](https://crossrivermeditation.com/won-retreat-schedule/) - We're looking forward to seeing everyone at Won in a few weeks' time. Our retreat will be focused on deepening our practice as it relates to the Sublime Attitudes as well as an opportunity to cultivate the precepts. Below is the currently proposed schedule. This is, of course, subject to impermanence and change.
- [Retreat Expectations & Guidelines 2026](https://crossrivermeditation.com/retreat-expectations/) - Dear Friends in the Dhamma, Welcome to this year's Cross River Meditation Center retreat. Thank you for committing your time and intention to deepening your understanding and direct experience of the Buddha’s Dhamma. This retreat follows the principles and practices taught by the Buddha and presented through the lens of the Sutta Pitaka, especially as
- [Won Retreat Registration Closed](https://crossrivermeditation.com/won-retreat-registration-closed-2/) - We will once again be retreating at Won Dharma Center this coming June 19th through June 23rd. Registration for the event has closed, but if you are interested, please reach out using our Contact form for late registration information. See you soon!
- [Upcoming Study](https://crossrivermeditation.com/upcoming-study/) - Four Noble Truths | Ajahn Sumedho Our next study will kick off March 14th returning to The Four Noble Truths which, of course, stand at the heart of the Buddha’s teachings, not as abstract doctrine but as a direct invitation to look into the nature of our own experience. In this text, Ajahn Sumedho presents
- [Spring Hybrid Retreat 2026](https://crossrivermeditation.com/spring-hybrid-retreat-2026/) - We will be holding our annual spring (almost) retreat on March 7th, 2026 at the mediation center in Frenchtown, NJ as well as Zoom online (if you need the Zoom info, please Contact us). We will do a little teaching on merit followed by several mediations and the opportunity for reflection. Merit has a bit
- [Fall Meditation Retreat](https://crossrivermeditation.com/fall-meditation-retreat/) - Our Fall Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 25th from 9:00 - 3:00 at the center in Frenchtown and on Zoom. This will be a one day only event focused on deepening our meditation practices. Similar to our Won retreat, we will be doing several 90 minute sessions with breaks in between. We hope
- [Upcoming Classes](https://crossrivermeditation.com/upcoming-classes/) - The Book of Eights (Atthaka Vagga) Our upcoming next set of classes will cover The Book of Eights (Atthaka Vagga), found in the Sutta Nipāta, one of the earliest and most radical expressions of the Buddha’s teaching. It emphasizes the relinquishment of attachment to views, even those considered correct or noble. Rather than promoting a fixed doctrine, the
- [Won Retreat Registration Closed](https://crossrivermeditation.com/won-retreat-registration-closed/) - We are all booked up for the retreat at Won this coming June 24th - 27th! We're looking forward to spending time practicing together. We are working through the itinerary and will update here, and in the newsletter, as we finalize it. Any questions in the meantime, please feel free to Contact Us.
- [Summer Retreat](https://crossrivermeditation.com/new-classes/) - Won Dharma Center We will once again be retreating at Won Dharma Center this coming June 24th - 27th. If you are interested in attending, please use the Contact page to let us know and we will get back to you with more details.
- [Spring 2025 Hybrid Retreat](https://crossrivermeditation.com/spring-2025-hybrid-retreat/) - Hello friends, we will conduct our annual hybrid Spring retreat in Frenchtown and on Zoom (if you need the link, please Contact Us) this coming Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16th. We will be focusing on the Sacca-Vibhanga Sutta, to reinforce the importance of integrating the Four Noble Truths into our daily lives. Suggested donation is

## Pages

- [Home](https://crossrivermeditation.com/) - Cross River Meditation An opportunity to practice the Buddha Dhamma with like-minded and admirable companions About Timeless Teachings We offer weekly opportunities to gather and learn as a Sangha. Our practice is based on, and guided by, the direct teachings of the Buddha from the second book of the Pali Canon, the Sutta Pitaka. Any
- [classes-doempty-brasington](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes-doempty-brasington/) - Dependent Origination & Emptiness | Leigh Brasington Dependent origination sits at the center of the Buddha's teaching, not as a doctrine to believe but as a description of how experience actually works—how one thing conditions the next, how suffering arises and, just as conditionally, ceases. In this series we follow Leigh Brasington's book Dependent Origination
- [Classes](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes/) - Classes Weekly We meet weekly at 8:30 am Eastern on Saturday mornings in Frenchtown NJ. If you are local, we encourage you to join us in person. If you are outside of the area, please use the Contact page to request access to the Zoom info. Upcoming Dependent Origination & Emptiness | Leigh Brasington Dependent origination sits
- [Contact](https://crossrivermeditation.com/contact/) - Interested in Connecting? Send a message Please use this form to email us, we will respond promptly. Name* Email* Message You agree to receive email communication from us by submitting this form and understand that your contact information will be stored solely for the purpose of returning your email. Submit Address Cross River Meditation Center
- [prior-classes](https://crossrivermeditation.com/prior-classes/) - Prior Classes Access to prior classes / structured content can be found below. Additional materials will continue to be posted as they become available. The Truth of Happiness The Sublime Attitudes The Gradual Training The Book of Eights The Four Noble Truths | Ajahn Sumedho Dependent Origination & Emptiness | Leigh Brasington
- [classes-fournobletruths-sumedho](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes-fournobletruths-sumedho/) - The Four Noble Truths | Ajahn Sumedho The Four Noble Truths stand at the heart of the Buddha’s teaching, not as abstract doctrine but as a direct invitation to look into the nature of our own experience. In this text, Ajahn Sumedho presents the Four Noble Truths with characteristic clarity and simplicity, emphasizing that the
- [retreat-confirmation](https://crossrivermeditation.com/retreat-confirmation/) - Thanks for your registration! You are confirmed for this year's retreat! We look forward to spending time with you at Won in June Please submit your payment via the PayPal link below If you need any assistance, please Contact Us
- [Retreat_Cancellation](https://crossrivermeditation.com/retreat_cancellation/) - Retreats Cancellation & Refund Policy Please read this page carefully. These dates are determined by our agreement with The Won Dharma Center and constitutes our Retreat Cancellation and Refund policy. Cancellations and refund requests can be made via the Contact Form. Cancellation received 8 weeks prior to the start of retreat – Full Refund Cancellation
- [classes-book-of-eights](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes-book-of-eights/) - The Book of Eights (Atthaka Vagga) The Book of Eights (Aṭṭhakavagga), found in the Sutta Nipāta, is one of the earliest and most radical expressions of the Buddha’s teaching. It emphasizes the relinquishment of attachment to views, even those considered correct or noble. Rather than promoting a fixed doctrine, the text encourages a direct and experiential understanding of
- [Zoom-Info](https://crossrivermeditation.com/zoom-info/) - Click here to connect to the Zoom room
- [classes-gradual-training](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes-gradual-training/) - The Gradual Training The Gradual Training (anupubba-sikkhā) is the Buddha’s step-by-step path to inner freedom—rooted in ethical integrity (sīla), deepened through meditative stillness (samādhi), and crowned by liberating insight (paññā). This curriculum, drawn from the Samaññaphala Sutta (DN 2), traces the unfolding of the contemplative life from the first hearing of the Dhamma to the
- [classes-sublime-attitudes](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes-sublime-attitudes/) - The Sublime Attitudes (Brahmaviharas) This set of talks focuses on the Brahmaviharas, or the Sublime Attitudes (or Abidings). They are cultivations of the heart, immensely helpful in the development of the path. They are supportive for the development of virtue as well as taking and holding the precepts and a direct counter to the hinderances.
- [classes-toh](https://crossrivermeditation.com/classes-toh/) - The Truth of Happiness This set of discussions was based on John Haspel's 'The Truth of Happiness' but were revamped to focus on the direct translations and/or commentary provided by Thanissaro Bikkhu. A handful of additional topics have been included, fabrications and the effluents, to round out the overall introduction to the Buddha's Dhamma. John's
- [John_Haspel](https://crossrivermeditation.com/john_haspel/) - Tribute to John Haspel (Sept 4, 1955 - Jan 30, 2024) John and Matt started CRMC in October of 2012 to offer the local community of Frenchtown, New Jersey, and the surrounding towns on both sides of the river, the Buddha's timeless wisdom. Through John's great compassion and tireless dedication to teaching the Dhamma, and his
- [2025-Hybrid-Sacca-Vibhanga](https://crossrivermeditation.com/2025-hybrid-sacca-vibhanga/) - Spring 2025 Hybrid Retreat An Analysis of the Truths Sacca-vibhaṅga Sutta (MN 141) I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana. There he addressed the monks: “Monks!” “Yes, lord,” the monks responded to him. The Blessed One said, “Monks, near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park
- [TOH_CHP1](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp1/) - Week One – Introduction and Jhana Meditation Preface The teachings of the Buddha have profoundly changed my life. It has been over 2,600 years since the Buddha first presented the Dhamma yet these teachings continue to be available and accessible in their original form. These teachings are the true jewel of life in the phenomenal
- [TOH_CONTENTS](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_contents/) - Truth of Happiness: Table of Contents Week One - Introduction and Meditation Week Two - Four Foundations of Mindfulness Week Three - Four Noble Truths Week Four - Eightfold Path - Wisdom Week Five - Eightfold Path - Virtue Week Six - Eightfold Path - Concentration Week Seven - Anicca, Anatta, and Dukkha Week Eight
- [TOH_CHP12](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp12/) - Week Twelve - The Fire Discourse The Buddha presented his first two discourses to the ascetics he had previously befriended. The first discourse on The Four Noble Truths explained the cause of delusion in the world and the path to understanding. The second discourse explained how the perception of individuality arises and what forms the
- [TOH_CHP11](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp11/) - Week Eleven - Precepts, Paramitas, True Refuge: Ratana Sutta Precepts Jiddu Krishnamurti often said “Look at the lives you are living.” He was stressing the importance of being mindfully present in thought, word and deed in our interaction with others and with ourselves. As a way of integrating The Four Noble Truths into our daily lives, and
- [TOH_CHP10](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp10/) - Week 10 - Hinderances to Awakening The second and sixth factors of The Eightfold Path, Right Intention and Right Effort, greatly support your overall Dhamma practice. Maintaining the strong resolve of Right Intention and engaging in Right Effort will provide the framework needed to develop and maintain a Dhamma practice. Right Intention is holding in
- [TOH_CHP9](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp9/) - Week - Karma and Rebirth “I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions. I am born of my actions and related through my actions. My actions will determine the fortune or misfortune in my life.” [1] Kamma (Sanskrit: Karma) and Rebirth are closely linked concepts of the Buddha’s teachings. Despite modern presentations
- [TOH_CHP7](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp7/) - Week Seven - Anicca, Anatta, and Dukkha “Be mindful of impermanence to end conceit. When impermanence is understood it is also understood that none of this is self. Understanding not-self uproots conceit, uproots I-making. When fully established release is complete.” Sambodhi Sutta (AN 9:1) Impermanence is an essential concept of the Dhamma. Impermanence, (Pali: Anicca), describes
- [TOH_CHP8](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp8/) - Week Eight - Dependent Origination and Five-Clinging Aggregates This week the teachings on Dependent Origination and The Five Clinging-Aggregates is presented. These are key understandings to develop and there is much information to absorb. You may want to take more than one week to study and integrate these teachings. Please do so. This week two
- [TOH_CHP6](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp6/) - Week Six - Eightfold Path - Concentration The Eightfold Path is the Buddha’s framework for developing understanding leading to the cessation of stress. It is a path that develops heightened wisdom, heightened virtue and heightened concentration, or heightened Samadhi. Samadhi is a mind state of non-distraction. Jhana meditation within the framework of The Eightfold Path
- [TOH_CHP5](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp5/) - Week Five - Eightfold Path - Virtue Right View initially is being mindful of the truth of unhappiness and stress. Clinging, craving, desire and aversion all cause unhappiness and stress. Right view then brings to mind the possibility of the cessation of stress. Understanding the cause of the distraction of stress, and the possibility to
- [TOH_CHP4](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp4/) - Week Four - Eightfold Path - Wisdom “It is for the full comprehension, clear understanding, ending and abandonment of suffering that the Noble Eightfold Path is to be cultivated…” Dukkhata Sutta SN 45.165 The Eightfold Path is the path to be developed leading to lasting happiness and peace. It is the fourth of The Four
- [TOH_CHP3](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp3/) - Week Three - The Four Noble Truths Everything the Buddha taught for the last forty-five years of his life, after his awakening, was taught in the context of the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha’s teachings develop a few specific skills so that a few (but profound) tasks can be accomplished. The skills to be developed
- [Support](https://crossrivermeditation.com/support/) - Support Donating to our Sangha helps support our ongoing operational costs including, but not limited to, the website, podcast, and Zoom. Additional funds are held in reserve for those needing assistance attending residential retreats. Should you have any questions, please Contact us for more information.
- [Audio](https://crossrivermeditation.com/audio/) - Audio You can stream our podcast via PodBean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Content is generally updated on a weekly bases Meditations Our practice focuses on one of the Buddha's favored meditation techniques, Anapanasati, which literally translates as mindfulness of the in breath and the out breath. This technique brings our mind into our bodies in
- [TOH_CHP2](https://crossrivermeditation.com/toh_chp2/) - Week Two - Four Foundations of Mindfulness In the Satipatthana Sutta the Buddha teaches the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. A practice of mindfulness without this foundation can often lead to confusion and distraction on the path of liberation and freedom. Right Mindfulness is the seventh factor of The Eightfold Path. It is part of a
- [About](https://crossrivermeditation.com/about/) - About Our Practice Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

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