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 sangha and classes are coming soon!
About Our Sangha:
Led by Ray Grimsinger, our sangha is a safe space for all LGBTQIA+ 🏳️🌈 individuals and compassionate allies! We 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:
6:15pm arrival time
6:00-6:30 Guided Mindfulness Meditation
6:30-7:00 Teachings shared by Ray
ABOUT THE TEACHERS:
Ray Grimsinger (He/They)
I am primarily trained and focus my practice and teachings on Vipassana (Insight) meditation stemming from the Theravada lineage of Buddhism. I received my certification from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. I have been practicing mindfulness meditation and exploring Buddhism since 2018.
Additional courses and studies I have completed are: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course (MBSR)created by Jon Kabat Zinn, “The Path of the Bodhisattva” through East Bay Meditation Center (formally received the 16 precepts and vows of the Bodhisattva), Awakening Joy offered by James Baraz, Buddhist Psychology through Spirit Rock Dharma Institute, and The Joy of Samadhi: Practices to Cultivate Concentration through Spirit Rock Dharma Institute.
I was a volunteer coordinator for EBMC in 2023/24. I am currently teaching for a wonderful non-profit organization BOSS (Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency). I have studied and learned from many great teachers, including Vinny Ferraro (my mentor), Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, James Baraz, Howard Kohn, Matthew Brensilver, Jill Satterfield and Eve Decker.
I consider myself to be a secular and spiritual Buddhist. I am a proud queer/gay/non-binary human. I live with my husband Steve and my dog Roxie in Oakland, California. I also sing with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.