We invite you to our weekly meditation sitting group at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, Room 300. Our group meets from 5:30 to 6:30pm each Monday, except holidays. This sangha was founded by Larry Yang and Ryumon in July 2002, and today the dharma talks are carried on by Anushka and guests. We explore mindfulness, meditation, and spiritual practice in our day to day lives and focus on cultivating an open awareness spacious enough to include whatever arises moment to moment. It is a wonderful way to bring closure to your activities of the day.

Format:
meditation 30 min
topic discussion, dharma talk, or guest speaker 20-25 min
short sitting 3-5 min

There is no cost of the group, and the group sustains itself through voluntary work and donations which in the Buddhist tradition is called the practice of "dana" or generosity (the rent is $45 per week). It is a drop-in group, so please join us in supporting and deepening our collective mindfulness practice. For more information, please email SFLGBTsangha@yahoogroups.com or visit the yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SFLGBTsangha This sangha is peer led and organized; we always welcome new people to be contributing members of the community.

If you are new to meditation, you are welcomed to approach one of us for guidance and instructions to begin a meditation practice.

Many Blessings,
San Francisco LGBTQ Sangha

Dharma Talk

Dharma Talk Leaders:

Anushka Fernandopulle has practiced intensively in the Theravada Buddhist tradition over the past 17 years in meditation
centers and monasteries in the USA, India, and Sri Lanka. She has been engaged in social justice work throughout her life in such areas as youth development, HIV prevention, LGBT organizing, immigrant/refugee rights, and grassroots community development. She is currently in training as a dharma teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center/Insight Meditation Society and works as a consultant and trainer with community-based nonprofit organizations helping them to function more effectively. Anushka's general dharma webpage which has some book recommendations, dharma cartoons, and links to meditation centers http://www.myspace.com/anushkaf

Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation: A Five-Week Introductory Class with Anushka Fernandopulle 2010
This class will explore the basic teachings of the Buddha as expressed in both meditation practice and daily life.Each session will include guided meditation instruction, talks on basic Buddhist teachings, and time for questions and discussion to explore the application of the teachings and practice in daily life. This class is appropriate for those new to meditation as well as those wishing to deepen their existing practice. People of all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome.

• Five consecutive Tuesday evenings: January 12, 19, 26, February 2 and 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
• Class includes a daylong retreat on Saturday, February 6, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
• First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin (between Geary and O'Farrell), San Francisco.
• For more info and to register please see http://www.sfinsight.org/classes.html

Links to other local Sangha's and Queer Dharma Sites

SF Gay Men's Buddhist Sangha http://www.gaysangha.org

Gay Buddhist Fellowship www.gaybuddhist.org

SF Q-Sangha at Metropolitan Community Church http://www.mccsf.org/qsangha

NY Queer Dharma http://www.queerdharma.org

The Lesbian Buddhist Sangha in Berkeley
Meetings every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. 7PM to 9PM. We begin with sitting meditation followed by a presentation/Dharma talk and discussion. At 9PM tea is often served, and there is short period for socialization. We are open to Lesbian, BI and Transgender women, and new and seasoned practitioners. Meetings take place at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. N. Berkeley. For further information you are very welcome to call: Carol Newhouse, 510-222-7787.

Oakland LGBT Sangha
Weekly meditation group for LGBTQ Communities in downtown Oakland with Larry Yang, Shahara Godfrey & Phyllis Oscar Wednesdays from 7 to 8:45 pm East Bay Meditation Center, 2147 Broadway at 22nd, near the 19th St. BART http://www.eastbaymeditation.org

Basic Meeting Agenda
Begin at 7:00 pm
--Silent Meditation for about 45 minutes
--Introductions and short break
--Dharma talk or peer-led discussion

Once a month beginning meditation instructions are offered, please contact us for the schedule. ebqsangha@gmail.com