Affinity Groups

35 & Under Sangha

• 2nd and 4th Sundays (in-person): 7:00-8:15pm
• Dates: January 28, 2024 | February 11, 25 | March 10, 24 | April 28 | May 12 | June 9, 23 | July 14, 28 | August 11 | September 8, 22 | October 27 | November 10, 24 | December 8
• Donation (dana): Please consider making a donation to CIMC in support of this program.

This affinity group provides an opportunity for those ages 18-35 to practice the dharma in a supportive community setting. Every month, one meeting is led by Affinity Group Leaders Alex Baskin, Ben Pittman-Polletta, or Melanie Cherng -- while another meeting is led by a practice leader.

When led by an Affinity Group Leader, these evenings start with a period of guided sitting practice and walking meditation, followed by time for sharing: dyads (partner work) and small or large group discussion.

When led by a practice leader, these evenings will offer silent sitting and walking periods and will not offer meditation instruction — complete beginners should first attend a few sessions that are guided by a sangha leader with instruction on both walking and sitting practice.

Click here to meet a member of the 35 & Under Sangha.

Disability & Chronic Illness Sangha

• 1st Sundays: 5:30-7:00pm
• Dates: January 7, 2024 | February 4 | March 3 | April 7 | May 5 | June 2 | July 14 (2nd Sunday) | August 4 | September 15 (3rd Sunday) | October 6 | November 3 | December 1
• Zoom Link (registration not required): Click here or dial +1 (646) 876 9923 and enter the Meeting ID: 935 2507 3737 (passcode: cimc)
• Donation (dana): Please consider making a donation to CIMC in support of this program.

These gatherings are an opportunity to practice together and build community for those who self-identify as disabled and/or chronically ill*. We welcome the great variety of experiences and perspectives this includes, and we seek to view our experiences through the lens of dharma. Most meetings will include introductions, guided meditation, small and/or large group discussion, dharma teaching and a brief closing. To learn more about our sangha, we invite you to read our Welcome Statement.

The sangha is led by Reya Stevens who has had a disabling illness since she was a teenager, including 20 years’ riding a wheelchair and decades spent mostly lying down at home. Reya has been practicing Dharma since 1984 and has taught occasionally since 1997, as health and venue accessibility have allowed. Click here to meet Reya.

*This includes those who prefer different terminology—for example, a more specific descriptor like ‘blind’ or ‘neuro-divergent,’ or to simply explain their situation as needed. Please note, however, that the group is not geared towards people whose conditions are expected to be fully cured or healed in a relatively brief time (e.g., three months or less).

Elders Sangha

• 2nd Tuesdays (online) ; 4th Tuesdays (in-person): 10:30am-12:00pm
• Dates: January 9 & 23, 2024 | February 13, 27 | March 12, 26 | April 9, 23 | May 14, 28 | June 11, 25 | July 9, 23 | September 10, 24 | October 8, 22 | November 12, 26 | December 10
• Zoom Link (registration not required): Click here or dial +1 (646) 876 9923 and enter the Meeting ID: 963 1055 6128. (passcode: cimc)
• Donation (dana): Please consider making a donation to CIMC in support of this program.

Intended for people ages 65 and up, the Elders Sangha meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. As elders, we're invited as never before to look deeply into the great issues of impermanence, diminishment, and mortality. Yet through practice these are balanced by expanding compassion, joy and appreciation of life. Let us take advantage of this opportunity and come together every month for talks, discussion, and meditation. Together we'll explore both the challenges and sources of inspiration that enrich the process of creative, conscious aging. The group is led by Bert Seager, Betty Burkes, Jim Austin, Jo Ann Share, and Kate Beers. Click here to meet a member of the Elders Sangha.

LGBTQIA+ Sangha

• 3rd Fridays: 7:00-8:30pm
• Dates: February 16 (cancelled) | March 15 | April 19 | May 17 | June 7 (1st Friday) | July 19 | September 20 | December 13 (2nd Friday)
• Zoom Link (registration not required): Click here or dial +1 (646) 876 9923 and enter the Meeting ID: 997 5010 1653. (passcode: cimc)
• Donation (dana): Please consider making a donation to CIMC in support of this program.

These evening gatherings provide a dedicated practice space at CIMC for people who self-identify as LGBTQIA+. This is a great opportunity to connect with and build community as we come together to practice, learn and celebrate who we are.

CIMC Core Teacher Madeline Klyne leads sitting and walking meditation followed by a Dharma teaching and/or discussion. Our affinity group is a “drop-in” and is appropriate for beginners as well as those with prior meditation experience. Click here to meet a member of the LGBTQIA+ Sangha.

Parents Sangha

• 2nd Thursdays: 8:00-9:15pm
• Dates: January 11, 2024 | February 8 | March 14 | April 11 | May 9 | June 13 | July 11 | August 8 | September 12 | October 10 | November 14 | December 12
• Zoom Link (registration not required): Click here or dial +1 (646) 876 9923 and enter the Meeting ID: 987 8139 8893. (passcode: cimc)
• Donation (dana): Please consider making a donation to CIMC in support of this program.

CIMC’s Parents Sangha provides an opportunity for parents of children of all ages to practice together and build community. Bringing mindful attention to our skills as parents can increase our capacity to form strong bonds with all the members of our family. The practice of mindfulness cultivates conditions of openness and receptivity, in which communication and emotional connection naturally flourish.

Parenting is both a joyful and a challenging endeavor. In this group, we seek to view our experiences through the lens of Dharma. We will learn how to regulate our nervous systems, and model mindfulness for our families, so that we are able to navigate the inevitable waves of joy and frustration that accompany every parent’s experience with a greater sense of ease.

This sangha is led by parent Jim Austin, and is appropriate for new and experienced practitioners and parents of children of all ages. Gatherings will include meditation practice, discussion, and questions.

People of Color Sangha

• 1st Fridays: 6:30-8:00pm
• Dates: January 5, 2024 | February 9 | March 1 | April 5 | May 3 | June 7 | July 12 (2nd Friday) | August 2 | September 6 | October 4 | November 1 | December 6
• Donation (dana): Please consider making a donation to CIMC in support of this program.
• If online: Zoom link (registration not required): Click here or dial +1 (646) 876 9923 and enter the Meeting ID: 922 8607 7706. (passcode: cimc)
• Please check our online calendar to determine if the POC Sangha will meet online or in person.

The POC Sangha provides a dedicated practice space at CIMC for those who self-identify as people of color and is appropriate for beginners as well as those with meditation experience. Over the course of the year, this drop-in program will explore the Dharma of the human experience; taking Buddhist teachings as our lens to explore the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, tenderness and beauty of living in a world of change. Please feel free to come to any, or all, of the monthly gatherings.

Our Friday evenings together will typically include:

• Guided Meditation
• Dharma Reflection/Teaching
• Small Group Reflection
• Large Sharing Circle, with Q and A, if time allows
• Community Announcements

The POC Sangha is led by Affinity Group Leaders Gina LaRoche, Juan Sosa, and Melanie Cherng. Click here to meet a member of the POC Sangha.