Affinity Groups

Develop your practice, spark friendships

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.

Facilitator(s):Anna Johns, Luanna Long
Location:Arlington, VA
Level:All levels
Audience:All people who self-identify as Asian, Asian American, or those with Asian ancestry.
Meeting Frequency:3rd Sundays, monthly
Description:
  • To provide a safe space for people of Asian descent to be seen, heard, and supported in our practice of mindfulness meditation and in our lived experience as Asians in American culture.
  • To explore and share Asian cultural challenges and impacts on our individual and collective psyches in light of the Buddha dharma.
  • To cultivate a conscious community that fosters authentic connection and a sense of belonging.
More info:Find Meetings
Facilitator(s):La Samiento
Location:Washington, DC
Level:All levels
Audience:Anyone self-identified as LGBTIQ
Meeting Frequency:Monthly on 2nd Saturdays (see calendar)
Description:

Aspirations of the IMCW LGBTIQ Sangha:

- To explore our LGBTIQ 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 LGBTIQs 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 LGBTIQ sangha and the larger IMCW sangha.

LGBTIQ & POC Diversity Statement

Diversity Terms

Mindful Sharing Guidelines

Meet us on IMCW LGBTIQ Sangha Facebook Group! 

Affinity Mailing List

More info:Find Meetings
Facilitator(s):La Sarmiento
Location:Washington, DC
Level:All levels
Audience:Anyone self-identified as POC
Meeting Frequency:Monthly, 4th 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

More info:Find Meetings
Facilitator(s):Steve Zappalla
Location:Washington, DC
Level:All levels
Audience:IMCW singles
Meeting Frequency:Monthly, 2nd 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.

More info:Find Meetings
Facilitator(s):Alexandra "Ali" Arbogast
Location:Washington, DC
Level:All levels
Audience:Vegans and aspiring vegans
Meeting Frequency:Monthly on 4th Saturdays
Description:

  • Aspirations of the IMCW Vegan Sangha:

    • To provide community support for vegans and aspiring vegans who feel that the practice of mindfulness and compassion for all beings as expressed through a vegan lifestyle is integral to their dharma and spiritual path.
    • To explore and support each other to be vegan in a non-vegan world.
    • To provide a safe and intimate space to 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 vegan sangha and the larger IMCW sangha.


More info:Find Meetings
Facilitator(s): Ashleigh Enriquez, Luana Long and Amy Ouellette
Location:Washington, DC
Level:All levels
Audience:Young adults
Meeting Frequency:3rd Saturdays, monthly
Description:

Young adults in the IMCW community and other mindfulness-based communities in the greater DC area gather for an afternoon of meditation practice, mindful communication, discussion, and tea.

The group is for all young adults between 19 and 39 who want to take part in a conscious, mindful community no matter ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, or different abilities.

More info:Find Meetings