“An exploration of the many ways to reach one’s spiritual aspiration of true liberation.”
Pacific Northwest Meditation Community is a new inclusive sangha in Portland and online, created to support mindfulness meditation, and also the exploration of the variety of Buddhist traditions and their collective framework for meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual growth.
Although our focus is on vipassana meditation, we expand and explore beyond this practice through inviting guest teachers from other Buddhist lineages.
Our mission is to cultivate a sense of belonging for new and experienced practitioners from the widest possible range of backgrounds, ages, races, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, socioeconomic classes, religions, political views, and abilities.
Pacific Northwest Meditation Community also sponsors dharma classes and sutra studies. To contact us please email to PNWMCommunity@gmail.com.
Many sangha members have expressed appreciatioin about the approach being used by the Pacific Northwest Meditation Community, including Jordan Volpe.
“I was so relieved to go to PNW Meditation and realize there is a Buddhist center in Portland that sees what I see – a desperate need for this city to have the dharma taught through a social justice framework, by people who occupy different marginalized identities,” Volpe said. “As a marginalized person, I have gotten tired of going from center to center trying to find a teacher who will teach the dharma in a way that applies to me and understands my lived experience, but none, especially in the Insight tradition, have done so. Instead of using Buddhism to avoid addressing oppression and its impact on all of us, PNW Meditation teaches Buddhism from the radical perspective the Buddha taught- directly addressing the reality of oppression and suffering to find liberation. I am glad to have a home in Portland that is trying to build that kind of community here.”
Teacher Trina Truong, one of the founding teachers, said, “As I reflect on the year that has passed, it has been a humbling journey of endings leading to new beginnings, which led to the birth of the Pacific Northwest Meditation community. Our sangha was born out of this wish for betterment, of goodwill, and with the desire to realize a community that is inexhaustibly committed to practicing inclusion.”
Read the full article published by Northwest Dharma Association: https://northwestdharma.org/pacific-northwest-meditation-community-welcomes-our-diverse-sangha/#post-33979
Our environment is one of exploration of the many ways to reach one’s spiritual aspiration of true liberation. We do not adhere to one lineage, and we do not have a single spiritual leader. We have three core teachers, as well as rotating teachers from many Buddhist traditions, who come and share their teachings and meditation practices.
We believe that this enriches the learning, and also helps community members find a path that resonates with them most. It also broadens our understanding of the dharma.
We meet each Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Multnomah Friends Meeting House, located at 4312 SE Stark Street, Portland Oregon, 97215. There is generally a half-hour guided meditation, a half-hour dharma talk, and a half-hour shared insights and questions session. These are then followed by an optional social hour with food and beverages.
Registration for our online presence is through this link. We are a 501-c3 registered non-profit, and a donation-only based entity.
Our affinity groups, local sitting groups, and other activities include:
NeuroSangha is a space for neurodiverse people to connect online through mindfulness, in ways respectful of our different manners of thinking and being. We embrace and respect a wide variety of neurodivergence, and aim to be a refuge for brains that work differently from what society expects. Neurosangha meets on Zoom every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Typical meetings include two non-guided 10-minute meditations, sharing our meditation experience, and exploring different meditation practices. If you’re interested or want more information, click here.
Be Queer Now is a safe and welcoming sangha for those who live on the LGBTQ2IA+ spectrum, and who are interested in meditation. We meet on Zoom the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month from 6:30-8:00 p.m. All are welcome, regardless of meditation experience, ethnicity, social or financial standing, gender identity, political leaning, relationship structure, religious identity, etc. Our request for participation in this group is that each individual identifies somewhere along the LGBT2QIA+ spectrum. For more information: bequeernowpdx@gmail.com.
Local sitting groups are being formed in the Portland area. The intent is to establish neighborhood sanghas that can sit independently, and also benefit from engagement with the Pacific Northwest Meditation Community.
Last fall the community led a three-day retreat at Joshua Tree Park, California, and we anticipate future such retreats.
