By Jamie Bufalino
QUIET MORNINGS AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
On the first Wednesday of every month, MoMA opens its doors at 7:30AM to give bliss-seeking art lovers an opportunity to view works—like Claude Monet’s Water Lilies—in a serene, crowd-free environment. The museum also throws a guided meditation session into the mix from 8:30 to 9AM; on December 6 the meditation will be led by inspirational speaker and best-selling author Agapi Stassinopoulos. 11 W. 53rd St., Manhattan (enter at 18 W. 54th), moma.org. Admission: adults $15, seniors $12, full-time students with current ID $10, children (16 and under) free.
THE C.V. STARR BONSAI MUSEUM
For a mix of zen and nature, head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s beautifully tranquil Bonsai Museum, which boasts one of the biggest collections of bonsai trees (approximately 350) outside of Japan and features specimens that are more than a century old. 150 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, bbg.org/collections/gardens/bonsai_museum. Winter Hours: Open 10AM-4:30PM Tuesdays through Sunday; Closed Mondays, except Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day. Admission: Free winter weekday admission starting December 1.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE
The 125-year-old cathedral—which welcomes visitors of all faiths—provides a majestic place to do some soul-searching or to simply quiet the mind. If you’d like to meditate to uplifting music, every Sunday at 4PM the church offers a “Choral Evensong” featuring the cathedral’s celebrated choir. 1047 Amsterdam Ave. at 112th St., Manhattan. info@stjohndivine.org. Open 7:30AM-6PM Admission: There’s a suggested donation of $10 per adult and $8 for students/seniors for visitors not attending church services.
URBAN GARDEN ROOM
Tucked inside the Bank of America Tower in Midtown, this glass-walled indoor space features large garden sculptures—made of living mosses, ferns, vines and lichens. There are plenty of chairs provided, which makes it a perfect place to take a quick time-out from the hectic pace of the city. Avenue of the Americas at 43rd St., Manhattan, Open 8AM-8PM, Admission: Free
INSCAPE
Opened last year by Intermix founder Khajak Keledjian, this 5000-square-foot studio offers immersive guided meditations using sound, movement and breathing exercises to help you stay focused during the inward journey. 45 W. 21st St. #1, Manhattan; 646.952.0706; inscape.life. Fee: $22 for a 35-minute session—various discount packages are also available.