ONLINE: The Enduring Precepts: Basic Buddhist Ethics for Our Times
2022-05-11 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-05-18 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-05-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
An Online Class Series with Mushim Ikeda
Wednesdays May 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th 2022
6:30 – 8:30PM PST (Time Zone Converter) Closed Captioning Provided
Part of EBMC’s Core Buddhist Teachings – 6-month Curriculum
Two years ago, people in the United States were hoarding toilet paper and steaks. Today we’re dealing with volatile ethical issues such as to vaccinate or not to vaccinate and to mask or not to mask? Rooted in EBMC’s mindfulness-based, diversity-equity-inclusion and social justice-centered mission, this four-class series offers a path to reflect on current ethical discernment and action. Buddhist life, for both laypersons and monastics, is rooted in Five Precepts, guidelines that are paths of deep contemplative investigation resulting in behaviors and actions aligned toward non-harm, in the service of all life. The compassionate realization of our “interbeing,” and the sometimes complex relationship of intent to impact are woven into this “Living Dharma” approach to the Precepts.

ONLINE: Introduction to Insight Meditation: Mindful Breath, Body, Feelings, and Thought for BIPOC
2022-05-12 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-05-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-05-26 18:00 - 19:30
An Online Class Series with Arisika Razak
Thursdays May 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th 2022
6PM – 7:30PM PST (Time Zone Converter) Closed Captioning Provided
This course provides a four week introduction to mindfulness meditation that is especially designed for Black, Indigenous, People of color, including people who are of multiple heritage, or mixed-race. We will review some of the benefits and challenges of beginning and maintaining a meditation practice, and how and why it can contribute to our wholeness, especially as members of BIPOC communities. We will practice with mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of the breath, mindfulness of emotions, and mindfulness of thoughts. We will also review the importance of heart and compassion practices, both for ourselves, our communities and the world. All bodies, genders, and abilities are welcome.

ONLINE: Finding Liberation in Relationship: Accountability, Conflict, Boundaries and Feedback
2022-05-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-05-23 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-05-30 18:30 - 20:30
An Online Class Series

With Dawn Haney and René Rivera
Mondays, May 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th
6:30 – 8:30PM PST (Time Zone Converter) –
ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning Provided
Our friendships, partnerships, work and family relationships can be a source of joy and support, and also of struggle and suffering. How do we bring our practice to all the relationships in our lives, to both ease our suffering and awaken our freedom? In this four week class we will explore concrete practices grounded in Buddhist meditation, somatics, and transformative justice. We will practice feedback, boundaries, and nervous system regulation, while applying mindfulness to investigate our conditioned tendencies and positionality in power relations. Through turning towards the difficulty in our relationships we will build resource and resilience and create space to be our most authentic selves.

All registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings:Parent's Meditation Group
2022-05-23 20:45 - 21:45
Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings
An Online Meditation Group for Parents
with Lisa Fujie Parks
Monday, May 23rd 2021 8:45PM – 9:45PM PST (Time Zone Converter)
Closed Captioning Provided.
EBMC’s Family Practice Class teaching team will be offering a monthly parents’ meditation group for restoration, support and connection during these challenging times. We offer a short talk, guided meditation and sharing. We gather to create a safe refuge to share the joys and the challenges of caring for young people by cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, patience and generosity with the support of the sangha. We welcome all parents/grandparents/caregivers of young people to join us. No prior experience necessary.

ONLINE: How Have the Buddha's Teachings Helped Me?
2022-06-01 18:30 - 20:30
Wrap-up class for EBMC’s Core Buddhist Curriculum Jan-May 2022
with Mushim Patricia Ikeda
Wednesday June 1, 2022
6:30 – 8:30PM PST (Time Zone Converter)
ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning Provided
For those who have taken either some or all of EBMC’s 5-Month “Buddhist Core Teachings” in Jan – May 2022, this is a wrap-up class where you can bring your “biggest” Buddhist practice questions, meet Dharma companions on the path, and rejoice in the merit that you have generated! Please note: The focus of this Class is on what you are doing to deepen your spiritual practice and to transform your life through these wisdom teachings. In place of our usual potluck, have your favorite beverage near your computer to toast one another in virtual sangha!

Nourishing our Spirits: A Sanctuary for Sex Workers
2022-06-02 11:00 - 14:00
An Online Half-day Retreat For Sex Workers

With emiko yoshikami and Ariana Waynes
Thursday, June 2nd 2022 11AM – 2PM PST
Time Zone Converter
Closed Captioning Provided
During this gathering we will be welcoming in all parts of ourselves and exploring how to invite loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity to support us in our work and in our lives. There will be a welcoming circle, opportunities for reflection, possible journaling, and teachings on the Brahmaviharas. There will also be guided meditation and practices to open our hearts to the nourishment that is always abundantly available.

Current and former sex workers of all genders and job titles are welcome. For privacy, participants are free to use any name they wish for registering, and during the retreat.

All registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Weaving Our Ancestral Roots and Stories Together: A Healing Half-Day Retreat for *AAPI Community
2022-06-11 10:00 - 13:00
An Online Half-Day Retreat with Phoenix Song and Michele Ku
June 11th 2022 10AM – 1PM PST

Time Zone Converter – Closed Captioning Provided
*An Online Offering for Pan Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander and South Asian American Identified People
Come gather in a safe space with other AAPI kin to tap into our connection to each other and our ancestors. As a member of the Asian diaspora, many of us have a painful or broken connection to our ancestral lineages, families and traditions. Acculturation in the US and white supremacy also negatively impact our relationship to ancestral traditions. Through guided meditation, interactive sharing and voice work, we can connect to ancestors of blood, spirit, and land who are here to offer us support, resource, and guidance.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Celebrating Summer Solstice Tai Chi Chih - Embodying the Elements
2022-06-21 09:00 - 10:30
An Online Class with Jenn Biehn, nialla rose, and Rosetta Saunders
Tuesday, June 21st
9:00AM – 10:30AM PST (Time Zone Converter) –
Closed Captioning Provided
Tai Chi Chih is an easy-to learn, accessible and non-strenuous moving meditation. A form of Qi Gong, Tai Chi Chih circulates and balances the chi or energy of the body. Embodying the elements while practicing Tai Chi Chih – we bring healing to body-heart-mind. Movement will be taught standing and seated. Join us in this offering as we welcome the season of summer.

All registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Celebrate Pride Mindfully: A Focus on Self-Compassion
2022-06-25 10:00 - 16:00
An Online Retreat for the LGBTQIA+ Community

With Andrés González, Ramón Honea and Phoenix Song
Saturday, June 25th 2022 10AM – 4PM PST
Time Zone Converter
ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning Provided

As an alternative to large and potentially unmasked crowds, we invite you to join us for what will be a fully-virtual Pride gathering focused on mindfulness & self-compassion through a multigenerational lens. We have a queer and multi-gender panel of teachers: Ramón Honea and Andrés González will guide you through a queering of ceremony and meditation on self-compassion. Phoenix Song will play healing, soulful music and help us free our voices with sound and song—together, we will move and stretch our bodies throughout the day. Additionally, there will be a Teacher Panel where we will share Pride-inspired, Dharmic stories, followed by a Q&A, and Dance Party. We will also have spaciousness for whole group discussions and smaller break-out groups to allow community connection and sharing. BIPOC and those that identify as LGBTQIA2S+ are highly encouraged to attend—however, this daylong is also open to our allied friends to join us with mindful presence and awareness of positionality. We look forward to celebrating 2022 Pride with you!

All registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Trauma, Mindfulness and Dharma
2022-06-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-07-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-07-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-07-25 19:00 - 21:00
An Online Class Series with Louije Kim
*Mondays, June 27th, July 11th, July 18th & July 25th (No class on July 4th)
7:00 – 8:30PM PT
8:30 – 9PM PT Optional Q+A
*Each class builds on one another. Please do your best to attend the entire series.
Mindfulness and meditation have been touted as powerful tools for healing trauma, so why does it sometimes feel so bad to meditate? With the amount of information about trauma available at our fingertips, it can be overwhelming to try to make sense of it all. This 4-part series aims to provide you with clear, relatable information about how trauma can look and feel and how it can show up in meditation. It will equip you with knowledge to make informed choices about how you engage in dharma practice, as well as teach you skills for gently inclining your mind, body and nervous system toward healing through mindfulness. This series is open to all, and is appropriate for people who have just started meditating or are considering going on their first silent retreats. It will also support those who are curious to learn basic information about trauma to support their engagement in personal therapy.

All registered participants will receive a link to join us via zoom with their Eventbrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Liberation from Suffering: Buddha’s Four Noble Truths for BIPOC
2022-07-06 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-07-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-07-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-07-27 18:30 - 20:30
An Online Class Series with Mushim Ikeda
Wednesdays July 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th 2022
6:30 – 8:30PM PST (Time Zone Converter) Closed Captioning Provided
What do the basic teachings of Buddhism have to offer BIPOC? The Buddha’s first teaching after his Enlightenment is called the Four Truths for Noble Ones. Together we’ll explore how “The Four Noble Truths” have been and continue to be a deep and empowering way for Black, Indigenous and People of Color and multiracial persons to understand human suffering and oppression, analyze their root causes, and engage as individuals and collectives in moving towards profound spiritual liberation, ease and joy. Dharma talks, mindful journaling, meditation, community building and optional readings. Beginners in meditation are welcome.

ONLINE: Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings:Parent’s Meditation Group
2022-07-25 20:45 - 21:45
Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings
An Online Meditation Group for Parents
with Lisa Fujie Parks
Monday, July 25th 2022 8:45PM – 9:45PM PST (Time Zone Converter)
July’s Theme: Mudita (Joy)
Closed Captioning Provided.
EBMC’s Family Practice Class teaching team will be offering a monthly parents’ meditation group for restoration, support and connection during these challenging times. We offer a short talk, guided meditation and sharing. We gather to create a safe refuge to share the joys and the challenges of caring for young people by cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, patience and generosity with the support of the sangha. We welcome all parents/grandparents/caregivers of young people to join us. No prior experience necessary.

Online: Equanimity: Finding Our Balance in Difficult and Challenging Times
2022-08-13 10:00 - 16:30
An Online Retreat with Arisika Razak
Saturday, August 13th 2022
10AM – 4:30PM PT
Closed captioning will be provided.
Just as the Buddha sought a Middle Way between body-denying asceticism and total sensual indulgence, many of us are searching for balance. In the face of rapidly escalating attacks on our bodies, our communities, and our civil and human rights, we may find ourselves overwhelmed by anger, fear, anxiety and despair.
The Buddha taught that freedom is found when we dwell in the present moment and cultivate loving-kindness for all beings. But how can we do this in a world so saturated with greed, hatred, and delusion?
The practice of equanimity invites us to rest in our heart’s wisdom, even in the midst of struggle and pain. It supports our bodies’ well-being, and allows us to accept the world as it is – without being overwhelmed by the feelings that blow through us and without compromising our willingness to take transformative action to heal the world.
In this day-long retreat, we will actively engage in practices that promote equanimity. We will use movement, meditation, small and large group sharing, dharma teachings and writing to relax our bodies, calm our minds and face our difficulties with renewed hope and acceptance.
We invite you to bring art supplies, as well as something to write with.

A zoom link to join us will be included in your EventBrite confirmation.

ONLINE: Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings:Parent’s Meditation Group
2022-08-22 20:45 - 21:45
Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings
An Online Meditation Group for Parents
with Lisa Fujie Parks
Monday, August 22nd 2022 8:45PM – 9:45PM PST (Time Zone Converter)
August’s Theme: Upekkha (equanimity)
Closed Captioning Provided.
EBMC’s Family Practice Class teaching team will be offering a monthly parents’ meditation group for restoration, support and connection during these challenging times. We offer a short talk, guided meditation and sharing. We gather to create a safe refuge to share the joys and the challenges of caring for young people by cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, patience and generosity with the support of the sangha. We welcome all parents/grandparents/caregivers of young people to join us. No prior experience necessary.

IN PERSON: Meditation & Movement: Creating Space in Your Body & Your Life
2022-09-03 10:00 - 13:00
Meditation & Movement: Creating Space in Your Body & Your Life
Saturday, September 3, 2022
10:00AM – 1:00PM PT (Time Zone Converter)
East Bay Meditation Center at Snow Park, 19th Street & Harrison Street
(One block from EBMC, three blocks from the 19th Street BART station)
Using practice, demonstrations, and discussions, this retreat will use meditation and movement to explore how to create and maintain greater mindfulness and spiritual balance throughout the day. Simple meditation techniques are taught for a range of practitioners, especially beginners. Movements embodying the Five Elements are taught standing, sitting and reclining, and are appropriate for people with diverse abilities. This retreat will be held at Snow Park, so bring a water bottle, a snack and a blanket to sit on. The park is highly shaded from many trees, and bathrooms are available. Because this is an outdoor event, masks are optional, but social distancing is encouraged.

IN PERSON & ONLINE: We Belong - Heart practice for Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color (QTBIPOC)
2022-09-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-09-14 18:30 - 20:30
An In Person & Virtual Class Series with René Rivera and Patrick Brown
In Person Participation Limited to 40 people. Closed Captions available for those joining us online.
Wednesday evenings: September 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th 2022
6:30 – 8:30pm PT (Time Zone Converter)
As our world burns in conflict and violence we return to heart practice to find refuge and belonging. As Queer and/or Trans People of Color we are under attack, sometimes at multiple identity locations. This class series will create a space for us to practice together, to build community, belonging and resilience to hold our outrage, fear and grief. We will use the four divine abodes of Lovingkindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity as a foundation to resource ourselves to meet this moment.
This class is suitable for both new and experienced meditators and open to self-identified Queer and/or Trans People of Color.

For those joining us virtually: You will automatically receive a zoom link via your Eventbrite Confirmation email.
For those joining us in person: Please note capacity is limited to 40 attendees, to allow room for social distancing. We ask that participants be fully vaccinated against Covid19 and wear a N95 or KN95 mask while inside of the center. Masks will be available.

ONLINE: Refuge of the Heart: Healing and Resilience in Latinx Community
2022-09-18 10:00 - 14:00
Refuge of the Heart: healing and resilience in Latinx community
El Refugio del Corazón: curación y resiliencia en nuestra comunidad Latinx
Sunday, September 18th , 2022 – 10am-2pm, Pacific Time (Time Zone Converter)
Domingo, 18 de septiembre, 2022 – 10am-2pm, tiempo pacífico (Time Zone Converter)
Con Margarita Loinaz y Melvin Escobar
Via Zoom
Closed Captioning Provided
Open to all who identify as part of the Latin American diaspora
Bienvenidos a todos los que se identifican como parte de la diáspora latinoamericana
The Buddhist word for community is “sangha” which has also been translated as “inseparable.” Our diverse Latinx community provides a uniquely rich opportunity to practice connecting to the wisdom and compassion inherent in our experiences. Join us for a bilingual / bicultural experience of meditation, mindful movement, and interactive activities to help co-create the heart of healing and resilience.
La palabra Budista para comunidad es “sangha”- que también significa lo que es inseparable. Nuestra diversa comunidad Latinx ofrece una rica oportunidad para practicar cómo nos conectamos con nuestra sabiduría y compasión. Les damos la bienvenida a esta experiencia bilingüe / bicultural de meditación y movimiento consciente, junto con actividades interactivas que nos ayudarán a co-crear un hogar de bondad, amor y recuperación.
