Community Affinity Groups

As a central part of its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, IMCW supports the formation and continued presence of affinity groups.





The affinity sanghas provide a harbor of mutual respect and understanding that is anchored in safety....

Affinity Groups

Affinity sanghas offer the community of like-minded people within the larger IMCW sangha with which to develop your practice and to spark friendships.

We affirm that a key responsibility of these affinity sanghas is to determine their own internal organization, including the makeup of their membership. This will allow a circle of belonging that feels safe to its members and create a refuge where they can relax into the intimacy of spiritual exploration. These sanghas provide a harbor of mutual respect and understanding.

If you are interested in joining a current sangha, please contact the facilitator at the contact information given below. If you would like to start a new sangha, please email IMCW.


Current Affinity Groups

  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Sangha

    Facilitator(s):
    La Samiento
    Location:
    Woodley Park, Washington, DC
    Level:
    All Levels
    Audience:
    Anyone self-identified as LGBTQ
    Meeting Frequency:
    Monthly on designated Saturdays (see calendar)
    Description:
    Aspirations of the IMCW LGBTQ Sangha:

    - To explore our LGBTQ identities in the light of the Buddhist dharma, across multiple and intersecting lines of difference that include, but are not limited to: sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, age, and dis/abilities.

    - To provide a safe and intimate space where LGBTQs can deepen the practice of meditation and mindful dialogue.

    - To study the dharma from diverse perspectives and to inspire insightful discussion.

    - To cultivate a sense of belonging and community both within the LGBTQ sangha and the larger IMCW sangha.

    LGBTQ & POC Diversity Statement

    Mindful Sharing Guidelines

    Meet us on IMCW LGBTQ Sangha Facebook Group! 

    Affinity Mailing List
    Find Next Meetings:
    Visit the calendar

  • M.A.A.D. Dharma Sangha

    Facilitator(s):
    Trudy mitchell-gilkey
    Location:
    Center for Mindful Living, Tenleytown, DC
    Level:
    All Levels
    Audience:
    Those self-identified as having mood, attachment & anxiety disorders
    Meeting Frequency:
    2nd Saturday of each month
    Description:

    Mood, Attachment And Anxiety Disorders

    Come and practice MAAD Buddhist dharma, a deepening mindfulness practice helping people suffering with mood, attachment and anxiety disorders. Take refuge in the power of awareness, understanding and compassion. Learn to interrupt the patterns of destructive thoughts, feelings and behaviors and make room for your true nature and true happiness to emerge.
    Find Next Meetings:
    Visit the calendar

  • People of Color/POC Sangha

    Facilitator(s):
    La Sarmiento
    Location:
    Woodley Park, Washington, DC
    Level:
    All Levels
    Audience:
    Anyone self-identified as POC
    Meeting Frequency:
    Monthly on designated Saturdays (see calendar)
    Description:

    Aspirations of the People of Color Sangha:

    To explore our identity as People of Color in the light of the Buddhist dharma, across multiple and intersecting lines of difference that include, but are not limited to: race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, socio-economic class, age, and dis/abilities.

    To provide a safe and intimate space where People of Color can deepen the practice of meditation and mindful dialogue.To study the dharma from diverse perspectives and to inspire insightful discussions.

    To study the dharma from diverse perspectives and to inspire insightful discussions.

    To cultivate a sense of belonging and community both within the People of Color sangha and the larger IMCW sangha.

    LGBTQ & POC Diversity Statement

    Mindful Sharing Guidelines

    Join us at IMCW People of Color Sangha Facebook page! 

     Affinity mailing list
    Find Next Meetings:
    Visit the calendar

  • Singles' Sangha

    Facilitator(s):
    Cindy Wilcox
    Location:
    Center for Mindful Living, Tenleytown, Washington, DC
    Level:
    All Levels
    Audience:
    IMCW singles
    Meeting Frequency:
    Monthly on designated Fridays (see calendar)
    Description:
    An evening of Buddhist insight meditation, conscious communication and connection for IMCW singles.

    The IMCW Singles Sangha is a welcoming community of people who gather to experience a shared connection with others who are, by choice or by circumstance, single at this time in their lives. In a couple-centric world, our purpose is simply to create a space for connection and shared experience.

    We practice inclusion of and respect for our sangha’s rich diversity of ages, experiences, identities and personal expression, and encourage all varieties and ages of single people to join.
    Find Next Meetings:
    Visit the calendar

  • Women's Meditation Sangha

    Facilitator(s):
    Rashmi Nair-Ripley, Carolyn Stachowski
    Location:
    6410 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101 (This building is right next door to the Country Day School.)
    Level:
    All Levels
    Audience:
    Women
    Meeting Frequency:
    Saturday mornings, 9:30-11 a.m.
    Description:

    We have two sitting periods of 25 minutes each with 10-minute walking/movement meditation in between the two sits. Then we have 30 minutes for sharing, following mindful sharing guidelines.*

    While there is no set fee for this session, we ask that you make a donation ("dana") as there is room rental.

    * Mindful Sharing Guidelines
    Find Next Meetings:
    Visit the calendar