A community sangha and affiliate of the Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley. This website is a resource for mindfulness geared toward the LGBTQIA+ community. We are based in Oakland and Berkeley, California.
Click here for Guided Meditations!
Click here for recommended readings
New classes are coming soon!
About Our Sangha:
Led by Ray Grimsinger, our queer sangha is a safe space for all LGBTQIA+(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual) 🏳️🌈 individuals to gather in community as we meditate, and share our experiences together. Our focus is on supporting each other in mindfulness so we can take on the challenges we face as a community and celebrate each other with loving presence. By focusing on mindfulness, compassion and lovingkindness we can face our challenges from a place of wisdom and love. I am currently re-evaluating when the sangha will meet. Please click the link above for more info about attending in person or on Zoom.
Typical Format of Sangha:
6:30-7:00pm arrival time in person
7:00-7:15 Brief Introductions and check-in
7:15-7:35pm Guided Mindfulness Meditation
7:35-8:10 Teachings shared by Ray
8:10-8:30pm Discuss questions about the talk or challenges/fruits of our practice
ABOUT THE TEACHERS:
Ray Grimsinger (He/Him)
I am a proud queer/gay man. I received my certification from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. I have been practicing mindfulness meditation since 2018 and have taken the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course (MBSR)created by Jon Kabat Zinn. I attended a course titled “The Path of the Bodhisattva” at East Bay Meditation Center where I received a certificate of completion, and formally received the 16 precepts and vows of the Bodhisattva. I was a volunteer coordinator for EBMC in 2023/24. I have studied the Awakening Joy program offered by James Baraz and have studied and learned from many great teachers, including Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, Howard Kohn, Vinny Ferraro, Jill Satterfield and Eve Decker. I consider myself to be a secular and spiritual Buddhist. In my teachings, I focus on aspects of mindfulness that are based on over 2500 years of Buddhist practices and teachings. I believe in meeting our experiences with non-judgmental, spacious awareness focused on kindness and compassion. I live with my husband Steve in Oakland, California.