Open Center Voices

Serving a Larger Cause, Maria Rodriguez

It’s a true joy being in charge of room rentals in our new location, with so many beautiful options to offer – The Grand Room and Studio on the second floor, both of which are dominated by floor to ceiling windows, and three rooms on the third floor that can hold anywhere from 6 to 60.  Since we arrived here in midtown, my phone has been ringing off the hook with rental requests.

It was especially rewarding last Thursday to set up the room for the United Nations Spiritual Caucus (www.spiritualcaucusun.org), which was filming a video on peacemaking. I never even knew there was such an organization, but it turns out that it is the official meditation group for the UN and meets every Thursday for a period of silent reflection and discussion. Thanks to the generosity of ABC Carpet and Home, we were able to spread beautiful antique tapestries and pillows on the floor of 3A. The natural light of that room gave a real sense of peace. It made me feel so grateful for our new space and gave me a new sense of the limitless possibilities for using it. If you’re looking for a beautiful space in midtown for your event, please contact me: mariar@opencenter.org.

Making a New Friend for the Open Center, Stephen Puibello

I work at the front desk every other weekend, which has to be one of the most pleasant jobs in the city, since so many nice and interesting people show up there or call us. For instance, last weekend I took a call from a gentleman from Huntington, Long Island who requested a catalog. I had to keep putting him on hold, and each time we reconnected, we got to know each other a little better. As we talked further, he suggested that we contact the local book store, and I invited him to visit our new location, describing our own new bookstore and meditation room. Before we ended, he introduced himself as John Calabrese, Editor-At-Large for www.creationsmagazine.com, which publishes articles on creative thinking and holistic living. Goes to show, you never know who you can meet here in the lobby behind the big glass doors, and what common interests you share. I like to think I made a new friend for the Open Center that day and for myself too.  I hope to meet John in person one day and thank him for helping the Open Center reach new audiences on Long Island who might be very interested in our classes and workshops.