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 Evan. 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 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.

Evan Kavanagh has been an Insight Meditation practitioner since 1995, and is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Dedicated Practitioners Program. Evan has taught Insight Meditation at 12-step retreats, other LGBTQ sitting groups, and occasionally at Spirit Rock. Evan has served as the Executive Director of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center since 2000. Evan has also been commissioned a Buddhist Ritual
Guide (minister) by the Spirit Rock Meditation Center and is qualified to perform weddings, memorials, etc on Spirit Rock's behalf. He has volunteered for many organizations including the United Farm Workers Union, the Gay Community AIDS Project, the Glide Foundation, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Evan and his husband Andrew live in San Francisco where they were married in 2004.

Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer Questioning Celebration Weekend
with Kiku Christina Lehnherr, Myo Denis Lahey, and Furyu Nancy Schroeder
June 27-29, 2008 Pride Weekend
In response to the continuing controversy regarding acceptance and support of sexual diversity in our society, Zen Center invites Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer Questioning community to join together at Tassajara for a weekend of meditation, discussion, yummy food, and relaxation.
http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara

Celebrating Ourselves: A 2-Night Weekend Meditation Retreat for LGBTQI Women with Arinna Weisman
Date: July 25-27, 2008
About the Retreat: This is a special opportunity to come together as LGBTQI women to celebrate ourselves by cultivating awareness and loving-kindness in community. We will explore together the obstacles to liberation, and the buddhist path to liberation. This will be a silent retreat as we practice through sitting, walking, movement, eating meditations, dharma talks, and group interviews. This retreat is a unique opportunity for LGBTQI women to be together in spiritual community. This retreat is open to all levels of meditation: new, beginner, or experienced.
Saratoga Springs Retreat Center is nestled in a private 260-acre scenic valley, with a swimming pool, hiking trails, and a hot pool. Located high in the beautiful hills of Northern California, it’s just 2 ½ hours from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Registration Fee is $210.00* per person.
For Directions visit http://www.saratogasprings.com/retreat_location.html or call Saratoga Springs at (800) 655-7153.
Ridesharing: If you need a ride or have room in your car, please email at: lgbtqiretreats@gmail.com
Scholarship: We will be accepting additional donations to help people who can not afford the whole cost of the retreat. Please think about donating if you are able. To apply for scholarship please email: lgbtqiretreats@gmail.com
What is Included: Lodging on Friday and Saturday nights. Vegetarian Meals starting with: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on Saturday, Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday. Check out is 3 PM on Sunday. Suggested arrival time on Friday is between 4-6pm, with self-service dinner at 6pm. Please bring your own dinner on Friday or something to share for potluck. The first meditation will be at 7pm.
What to Bring: Saratoga Springs Resort provides no bedding. Please bring your own pillows, sheets, blankets or sleeping bag, towels, swim suit, rain gear or an umbrella, art supplies, an object for the altar, and cash or check for dana. There will be time during & after the retreat to enjoy the amenities of Saratoga Springs Retreat Center.
No alcohol, recreational drugs or pets allowed.
More about Arinna Weisman can be found on her website: http://www.arinnaweisman.org/

Coming out to….Freedom of Heart
A Residential Meditation Retreat for Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Men
July 22nd - 27th 2008
Willow Pond Lake House
Whidbey Island, Washington
The practice of mindfulness from the Buddhist tradition deepens our insight into the truth about ourselves and the conditions in which we live, while cultivating and awakening the inherent openness and gentleness of our hearts. This retreat for Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Men is centered in developing wisdom and compassion to create more happiness and freedom in a too often homophobic society. Mindfulness will be experienced through silent sitting, walking, movement, and eating meditations. There will be the opportunity for individual interviews and mindful group circle sharing. The retreat offers a unique opportunity for GBTQ Men to be together in spiritual community.
Open to all levels of meditation—new, beginner, or experienced. You do not have to call yourself a Buddhist to benefit from meditation. Please join us, get on a cushion or chair, and see for yourself.
Cost: $275 to $425 depending upon accommodations
Fees are for room and board. Teaching of the retreats is offered without cost because the Teachings are regarded as priceless. There will be the opportunity at the end of the retreat for practitioners to offer Dana, or Generosity, through donations made at the end of the retreat to the teacher.
For further information, contact John at 206-720-1744 or info@speakingforourselves.com

Larry Yang teaches meditation retreats nationally and leads meditation groups for communities in San Francisco and the Oakland, California. Larry is a Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader and is in teacher-training with Jack Kornfield. He is one of the guiding teachers of the East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland. Larry has practiced extensively in Myanmar and Thailand, including a six month period of ordination as a Buddhist monk under the guidance of meditation master Ajahn Tong. His webpage is at: www.larryyang.org

Investigating Life: Insight Meditation Retreat for 18-32 Year Olds
July 30 - August 6, 2008
@ Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA
For more info see http://www.dharma.org/ims/retreat_detail.php?id=111

Anushka's general dharma webpage which has some book recommendations, dharma cartoons, and links to meditation centers http://www.myspace.com/anushkaf

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