Introduction to Meditation

Introduction to Meditation is a free online discussion for people who are new to meditation, led by the meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Ethan Nichtern. It is presented through Sangha House in Chicago, Illinois, and takes place over Zoom, so you can join from wherever you are. The teaching comes from the Buddhist tradition and is offered in English.

What to Expect

This is a single evening conversation rather than a multi-day course. Sharon Salzberg and Ethan Nichtern speak together about beginning a meditation practice, and the framing is an introduction for those who have not sat before or who are returning to the basics. Registration is through a short form, and enrollment is limited, so the group stays a manageable size. The Zoom link for the evening arrives in your registration confirmation email.

About Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg was born in New York City and grew up in a Jewish family. After the death of her mother when she was a teenager, she looked for understanding through spiritual practice. After high school she traveled to India, where she first encountered meditation and began to immerse herself in Buddhist teachings and mindfulness. She went on to dedicate her life to teaching meditation, and in 1975 she co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, which has become a central place for mindfulness and meditation practice in the West.

About Ethan Nichtern

Ethan Nichtern is a Buddhist teacher and author based in Brooklyn, where he lives with his daughter. Since 2002 he has taught meditation and Buddhist psychology classes and workshops around New York City, North America and Europe, and he also works with students privately. He has studied primarily in the Shambhala and other Tibetan traditions, and has also studied Theravadan and Soto Zen Buddhism. He is an avid yoga practitioner.

His books include The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path, chosen as one of Library Journal's Best Books of 2015, and Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life's Eight Worldly Winds, released in June 2024, which won the 2025 Nautilus Awards Gold Medal for Eastern Thought. He is also the author of The Dharma of The Princess Bride.

Before You Go

No prior experience is needed. The evening is set up as a beginner's introduction, and no prerequisites are listed. The event is free and conducted in English. You will need a device that can run Zoom and the link sent with your confirmation email. Because places are limited, it is worth registering ahead of the evening.