Affinity sanghas offer a 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.
This sangha will be online during the virus. Please see the calendar page for details.
Aspirations of the IMCW LGBTQIA+ Sangha:
- To explore our LGBTQIA+ 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 LGBTQIA+s 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 LGBTQIA+ sangha and the larger IMCW sangha.
LGBTQIA & POC Diversity Statement
Diversity Terms
Mindful Sharing Guidelines
Meet us on IMCW LGBTQIA Sangha Facebook Group!
Affinity Mailing List
This sangha is for veterans of any branch and component and those currently serving on active duty.
Providing an opportunity and community for Veterans who wish to meet and relate to other veterans. Time will be used to talk about and practice how meditation and mindfulness practices can be used to help us in our lives. Many of us in the Military have used mindfulness to perform our duties. Now we can learn to bring these same skills to our life outside the military in a new and more useful way.
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
Join us at IMCW People of Color Sangha Facebook page!
Aspirations for Sangha for People with Dis/Abilities and Deaf People:
Capacity: 25 people
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.
Aspirations of the IMCW Vegan Sangha:
The women's class is a place of friendship and safety honoring the uniqueness of each and every one who enters. By uncovering our true hearts and experiencing our true nature we live true and fulfilled lives.
Young adults in the IMCW community and other mindfulness-based communities around DC gather for an afternoon of meditation practice, mindful communication, discussion, and tea.
The group is for those in their 20’s and 30’s who want to take part in a conscious, mindful community. We welcome young adults of all ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, and different abilities to our sangha.