Westchester Muslim Center is located in Mount Vernon, Westchester County. In the 1970's, several professional Muslims migrated from different parts of the world to the U.S.A. Some of them chose Westchester county as their home. Over the years, these new immigrants became naturalized citizens and were identified as Muslim Americans. As these professionals struggled to settle in their new home, they needed a place were they would be able to come together to establish prayer. The Muslim Americans have continued to increase in number and are represented at various levels of excellence throughout Westchester County. Currently, WMC serves more than 500 Muslim families and operates a weekend school with an enrollment of 300 students.
It is with joy that we announce the purchase of a home for the Empty Hand Zen Center in downtown New Rochelle. We now are the owners of the historic "Trolley Turnaround Building," most recently known as the Backstreet Gallery, at 45 Lawton St., directly across from the Library Park.
While Zen has its roots in the Buddhist tradition of China, Korea and Japan, it is a spiritual practice of increasing interest in the Western world. This practice is open to those of all traditions. Many find that this meditation serves to enliven and enrich their own religious faith.
Zazen (seated meditation) is the core of our practice. This involves working with body, breath and mind: entering into deep silence and stillness; opening to a fresh awareness moment after moment. Half-hour periods of zazen are followed by ten minutes of kinhin (walking meditation). We also join together in Sutra Chanting, Dharma study, and Caretaking (work-practice). All these practices are designed to help us bring clear attention and an open Heart/Mind into our everyday living.