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LGBTQ

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Sangha

As a central part of its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, IMCW supports the formation and continued presence of affinity groups such as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (LGBTQ) Sangha and the People of Color (POC) Sangha. We affirm that a key responsibility of these affinity Sanghas is to determine their own internal organization, including the makeup of their membership. Currently these Sanghas have chosen to be designated as POC-only and LGBTQ-only. The purpose is to allow a circle of belonging that feels safe to its members and to create a refuge where they can relax into the intimacy of spiritual exploration. In the midst of a larger environment, wherein people who identify as POC and/or LGBTQ may experience a sense of being targeted — even by people with wholesome intentions — these Sanghas provide a harbor of mutual respect and understanding that is anchored in safety. 

Aspirations of the IMCW LGBTQ Sangha:

  • To explore our LGBTQ identities in the light of the 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 discussions.
  • To cultivate a sense of belonging and community both within the LGBTQ sangha and the larger IMCW sangha.

The IMCW LGBTQ Sangha meets monthly.

". . forgiving oneself, moving away from shame and internalized oppression, is the beginning of spiritual practice, the beginning of personal integration, the beginning of the opening of the heart . . . and such forgiveness is possible only through uncompromising honesty and self-examination, humility, and a willingness to let go of belief systems and constructed point-of-view . . . so that we finally open to the marvelous journey in celebration and gratitude . . ."

-Caitriona Reed
www.manzanitavillage.org

LGBTQ flyer

The IMCW LGBTQ Sangha is now a Facebook Group! Join us at "IMCW LGBTQ Sangha".

 

Read "The State of the IMCW POC & LGBTQ Sanghas", a summary of this past year and what's ahead in 2010.

2010 meeting dates: September 11, October 9, November 20, December 11

Upcoming Events:

The next meeting of the IMCW LGBTQ Sangha is as follows:

Host: La Sarmiento
Location:
Unity Woods Yoga Studio
2639 Connecticut Avenue, NW - Suite C-102
Washington, DC 20009 US
When: September 11 - 4pm to 6:30pm
Phone: 202.997.1399

 

Please arrive by 3:45 pm so that we can begin promptly at 4:00 pm.

The studio is directly across the street from the Woodley Park-Zoo subway stop on the Red Line. For info on public transporation: www.wmata.com. Parking is on the street, so please leave your self ample time to find a parking space.

RSVP to Evite:

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/EBTFIAHRVCKZLHVIRNKS/LGBTQ091110

Dear Friends -

At the September 11th sangha meeting, I would like to continue the conversation with regards to how we feel we would like our practices supported both individually and collectively in the coming year through creating Kalyana Mitta (KM) groups and dharma/book groups, programming of daylongs, workshops, and retreats with diverse teachers, formal training of volunteers to setup/breakdown meetings and events, and idenfitying of our individual gifts or talents that we can offer to support our sangha to grow and thrive.

I offer the article "Asking to Exhaustion" by John Daido Loori to explore the expanded meaning of "refuge" in Buddhist context to support our discussion. Please cut and paste the link below to your web browser (if simply clicking on it does not work):

http://www.imcw.org/pdfs/AskingToExhaustion.pdf

Hope you can join us.

With metta and in sangha,

La - Facilitator, IMCW LGBTQ Sangha

 

ON THE CUSHION:

"An opportunity to support daily practice by meeting o­n a regular basis for short, silent meditations where you work and live . . ."

WASHINGTON, DC (ADAMS MORGAN):
Time:  Mondays-Fridays from 8:00 - 8:30 am
Location:  Studio Serenity, 2469 18th Street, NW, WDC 20009
Contact:  La Sarmiento at la_sarmiento@yahoo.com or 202.462.6792
Donations accepted in gratitude to Studio Serenity.
Silent sit Monday-Thursday. No guided meditation instructions provided. Fridays short guided meditation sits for newcomers.
More Information

 

For more information, please contact:
La Sarmiento at la_sarmiento@yahoo.com or 202.462.6792

Please contact La to be added to our mailing list.  Thank you.

 

 



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