New York City encompasses five boroughs, within which you will find hundreds of spiritual enclaves, places of worship and sacred spaces. From the gospel houses of Harlem to the Chinese Scholars Garden on Staten Island, from St. Patrick's Cathedral in midtown Manhattan to the Vajradhara Meditation Center in Brooklyn, opportunities to observe and participate in spiritual rituals abound. For New Yorkers and tourists alike, these spiritual oases provide respite from the hectic pace of the city.
Types
Among the spiritual things to do in NYC, you can quiet your mind at one of the many churches, cathedrals, synagogues, temples and mosques located throughout the five boroughs, or at a spiritual center of learning and healing, such as the New York Open Center in downtown Manhattan, the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center and Gallery in midtown Manhattan and the Bodh Gaya Kadampa Buddhist Center in Queens.
Features
In addition to spiritual services, workshops, lectures, counseling, reading rooms and prayer spaces, many religious and spiritual centers in New York have outdoor gardens and meditation areas. Some centers, such as Integral Yoga Institute, downtown in Greenwich Village, offer special spiritual lectures and demonstrations, meditation and mini-retreats, in addition to physical exercise and healing workshops. Most of the larger congregations and spiritual centers have bookstores and gift shops, where you can shop for educational and inspirational materials.
Activities
Participate in daily meditation at the Zen Center of New York City in Brooklyn, to strengthen your own spiritual practice or learn more about the teachings of Buddha. On any day of the week, stop in to light a candle at St. Patrick's Cathedral or attend a morning or evening prayer service at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Visit Temple Emanu-El, the largest synagogue in the world, on the upper east side of Manhattan. Sign up for a spiritual or healing workshop at the Open Center in midtown Manhattan or a yoga class at the Arya Spiritual Center in Queens.On Sunday evenings, participate in a Spiritualist Church of New Yo rk City service, fellowship and seance at the New York New Church Sanctuary in midtown Manhattan.
Benefits
Spiritual places and events provide a sense of community, a place to worship, a place to heal, an opportunity to learn, and an escape from the everyday noise, crowds and chaos on the streets of NYC. Many spiritual things to do in NYC, such as Sunday morning services, healing energy work and meditation at the Interfaith Temple on the upper west side of Manhattan, are multi-denominational or non-denominational, free and open to anyone who wants to participate.
Museums
Museums, such as the Rubin Museum in downtown Manhattan and The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum located near the northern tip of Manhattan, also feature spiritual things to do, including thematic exhibits, demonstrations and workshops. Other museums with a spiritual theme include the Museum of Biblical Art, The Jewish Museum and Trinity Church Museum.
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