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

Evan Kavanagh has been an Insight Meditation practitioner since 1995, and is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Dedicated Practitioners Program and the Sati Center's Buddhist Chaplaincy Training program. Evan has taught Insight Meditation at 12-step retreats, other LGBTQ sitting groups, and occasionally as a Guest Teacher 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 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 (again) in 2008. You can find more information (including listening to teachings Evan has given at various sitting groups) at www.MeditationSF.com.

DEEPENING PRACTICE IN SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
with Larry Yang

Fri, Jul 10 to Sun, Jul 12 – “Being Family, Being Love, Being Community: A
weekend of meditation, community, and spiritual practice for Queer,
Transgender, Bisexual, and Same-gender Loving communities” at the hot springs
of Tassajara Zen Mountain Retreat Center, Carmel Valley, CA.
with Larry Yang and Furyu Nancy
Schroeder
This weekend retreat offers a
unique opportunity for all queer-identified folks to be together in spiritual
community and as spiritual family. It is suitable for both beginning and
experienced meditators. The Teachings of the Buddha strengthen our capacity to
hold and love our lives with compassion, appreciation, and balance, and to help
create more freedom in an all too often homophobic society. There will be
periods of silent sitting, walking, mindful movement, and lectures. You are
invited to bring an object, a piece of writing, a song, an image—anything that
helps you express the beauty and brilliance of your identity as a whole human
being. Registration at http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/display.asp?catid=4,19,130,240&pageid=811

Mon, Aug 17 to Sun Aug 23 - Meditation and Yoga retreat with
Anna Douglas, Howard Cohn, Larry Yang, Anne Cushman (yoga), Janice Gates (yoga)
at Spirit Rock, Woodacre, CA. http://spiritrock.org/calendar/display.asp?id=266R09&type=retreats

Thurs, Oct 22 to Sat Oct 31 – Fall Insight Meditation
Retreat at Spirit Rock with Sylvia Boorstein, Anna Douglas, Julie Wester, Larry
Yang, Spring Washam, and Konda Mason (yoga). Registration is limited and opens May 21, 2009. http://spiritrock.org/calendar/display.asp?id=302R09

Mon, Nov 9 to Sun Nov 15 - Awakening the Heart of Love and
Wisdom: A Retreat for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer Communities
with Arinna Weisman, Larry Yang, and Anushka Fernandopulle at Spirit Rock,
Woodacre, CA.
It is always a
special blessing to come together to support the opening of our hearts and to
learn from each other as we practice the Buddha’s teachings of Insight
meditation.
As LGBTIQSLG
people, we often receive negative and conflicting societal messages. This
practice can remind us of our intrinsic dignity and the strength to choose what
we embody and how we live. We will cultivate an inner environment of acceptance
which allows calm and clarity to grow. As insight ('to see clearly') deepens,
we develop greater equanimity and peace to help us live with the challenges of
life--impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and no-self. By sharing this practice
together we also build community and the gift of supporting each other.
There will be
instructions in sitting, walking and movement meditation, guided
lovingkindness, dharma talks, and time for group and individual exploration in
a safe environment.
http://spiritrock.org/calendar/display.asp?id=306R09&type=retreats

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