East Bay Meditation Center

ONLINE: Resilience and Renewal During Precarious Times: The Power of Beloved Community
2020-11-01 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Given the uncertainty of our social and political situation, what resources can we bring to ourselves and each other? How might catastrophe and chaos be reframed in ways that transform difficulty into resilience?

You are invited to be guided through Ceremony by EBMC’s Core Teachers to experience what collective care might look like during these times of crisis and collective trauma. We will explore how our peoples draw on collective wisdom to survive and thrive despite the uncertainties inherent in life. In doing so we will make manifest the jewel of sangha.

ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning Provided.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Mind Full of Breathing: A Four Class Series on the Ānāpānasati Sutta
2020-11-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-11-09 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-11-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-11-23 19:00 - 20:30
Mondays November 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd 7:00 – 8:30PM PST
with Vimalasara Mason John
This 4-week course will turn towards the traditional four tetrads of the Anapanasati. The Buddha was teaching us to simply breathe through the experience of the body, feelings, mental formation, and all dharmas. Together we will experience that while the world is constantly changing around us, our body, feelings, mental formations and all dharmas are constantly changing too. This ancient practice has set free and liberated many beings from the prison of their minds and body. This teaching can bring us much joy, and teach us to “cherish the dharma, radiate love and live united” Dhardo Rimpoche.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom.

ONLINE: Path of the Bodhisattva II
2020-11-04 18:30 - 20:30, 2020-11-11 18:30 - 20:30, 2020-11-18 18:30 - 20:30, 2020-11-25 18:30 - 20:30
Please read full schedule below.
with Mushim Ikeda
I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the third time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.

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

4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 1, Weds, Oct 7 – 28, 6:30 – 8:30pm* Pacific time
4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 2, Weds, Nov 4 – 25, 6:30 – 8:30pm* Pacific time
Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows, Dec 5th 10am – 4:30pm* Pacific time

*There are three parts to the Path of the Bodhisattva curriculum. Separate registration is needed for each part: (1) Path of the Bodhisattva 1 class series; (2) Path of the Bodhisattva 2 class series; (3) Receiving Bodhisattva Vows and Precepts Ceremony). Participants interested in receiving the Bodhisattva Vows in Dec are required to take Parts 1 + 2 of the class series.

ONLINE: Taming Anxiety for Black, Indigenous and People of Color
2020-11-07 09:30 - 15:30
An Online Class with Rev. Keiryu Liên Shutt
Does your mind seem to “be all over the place”? Do you find yourself worrying a lot? Do you feel easily overwhelmed and filled with anxiety? Do you obsess about “shoulds’” and “coulds’” and, therefore, find it hard to focus? Buddhist teachings and meditation practices have long addressed ways to be with such emotions and thoughts. In this one-day, we will gather and to learn ways in which we can work with worry and anxiety. You’ll learn ways to be with these emotions and be able to practice meditations, which can foster calm and ease in body and mind. Stationary and walking meditations, Dharma teachings, group discussions and experiential exercises are offered.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite Confirmation Email.

ONLINE: Kingian NonViolence Mini Workshop
2020-11-14 09:00 - 13:00
with Kazu Haga + East Point Peace Academy
Kingian Nonviolence grew out of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and is a transformative philosophy dealing with the transformation of conflict. Many forms of political resistance only deal with “fixing issues,” while ignoring the need to heal relationships. However many healing modalities do not address the systems of injustice that perpetuate trauma. How can the teachings of Kingian Nonviolence be utilized after the 2020 election to continue to push for Beloved Community?
Through interactive activities, the workshop will dispel many common myths of “nonviolence,” and explore the interconnection of personal healing and political resistance, and how to build a powerful movement that honors the dignity of ALL life. This workshop is a partnership with East Point Peace Academy.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite Confirmation Email.

ONLINE: Loving the Whole Self
2020-11-15 10:00 - 16:00
A Day of Mindfulness and Inquiry for Adult Adoptees, Fostered and/or Child Welfare System Survivors
With Fresh “Lev” White and Dr. Sean Feit Oakes
This class is for us who experienced separation from birth families at early ages to explore the heart of the Buddha’s teachings: that pain and loss are built into life and are the seeds of wisdom and liberation. We’ll explore our experiences of family rupture; discuss tools for cultivating self-love, compassion, and the possibility of home in ourselves as a deep refuge.
All adult (18+) adoptees, formerly foster home or system youth, and any adult who were forced/separated from their birth family at young ages are welcome.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: The Dharma of Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad for People of Color
2020-11-21 09:30 - 12:30
for Black, Indigenous and People of Color
with Spring Washam
The time is NOW…for us to call on one of our greatest Ancestors and that is Harriet Tubman! This mini-retreat is meant to be soul food for the heart with gospel music, deep dharma, and a sprinkle of shamanic magic on top. We are in the midst of a revolution and together we will learn how to be conductors of love in our communities. The civil rights movement is a movement of the heart. It takes courage to stand up for what we believe in. As we explore different facets of Harriet’s incredible life, we will learn how to apply her wisdom to what is happening in our world today. Together we will explore how to meet the challenges of this current moment with an open heart and find the courage and wisdom to face the unknown together. This event will include periods of meditation, talks on the theme, stories, movement, small group discussions, and lots of gospel music mixed in.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom.

ONLINE: Opening the Heart Through the Buddha’s Teachings: Parents Meditation Group
2020-11-23 20:45 - 21:45, 2020-12-28 20:45 - 21:45
An Online Meditation Group for Parents
with Lev White, Ramona Lisa Ortiz Smith, Michele Ku, Baruch Golden and Lisa Fujie Parks
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 will offer a short talk, guided meditation and sharing. We welcome all parents/grandparents/caregivers of young people to join us. No prior experience is necessary.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom.

ONLINE: The Whiteness of Money: Transforming Suffering, Moving into/toward Love
2020-11-29 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday, October 25th 2020 10:00AM -12:15PM and 2:00PM-4:00PM PST
Open to White Practitioners, Limited Capacity
with Crystal Johnson and JD Doyle
“What’s in it for me?” This is a key refrain of our conditioning into racial capitalism, and white supremacy ensures that white people accrue a disproportionate share of wealth. According to the Buddha this is a recipe for suffering, isolation and unhappiness.
The Buddha teaches us renunciation and compassion as the path toward happiness and freedom for all beings. This is a day for self-identified white people to practice together, working to transform our habit-energies of craving, uproot systems of white supremacy and move toward freedom, connection and racial justice.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows
2020-12-05 10:00 - 16:30
with Mushim Ikeda
I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the third time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Tai Chi Chih – Embodying the Heart Qualities
2020-12-11 18:00 - 18:55
with Jenn Biehn and Rosetta Saunders
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.
Cultivating and embodying heart qualities such as patience, compassion, gratitude, generosity
while practicing Tai Chi Chih can bring alignment and calm to body heart mind.

No advance registration required. Instruction offered for both seated and standing positions.
Please email jenn at eastbaymeditation dot org for zoom link & password.

ONLINE: From Meditation into Life – Embodying Resilience and Possibilities*
2020-12-12 09:30 - 15:30
An Online Class Led by Paul Ciske, Ph.D and Anjali Sawhney

How can we befriend our habitual reactive patterns that arise when triggered, stressed or under pressure? How can we recover to a more centered skillful state and move forward toward what we really want? How can we take meditation insights into our daily lives? Practical solutions and practices will be offered to address these questions. However, rather than just ideas, concepts and strategies, these will be embodied approaches. Since reactivity shows up in the body first, we use the body to create a shift in our physiology which changes the way the brain functions and in turn how we interact with the world.
All this is accomplished through simple physical and non-physical interactive exercises that metaphorically represent ways we relate to others and ourselves in our life and on the meditation cushion. The result is greater embodied awareness, and embodied wise and compassionate action.
*Based on Wendy Palmer’s Leadership Embodiment
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation.

ONLINE: Creativity, Vulnerability & Power: Moving Forward Together For Self-identified Black, Indigenous, People of Color & Multiracial persons
2020-12-19 10:00 - 15:00
With Mushim Ikeda, Dr. Zahra Ahmed & Christian Howard
(ASL Interpretation & Closed Captioning Provided)
Drawing on “deep time” and Dharmic mindfulness-based practices, can we as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and Multiracial persons) see and seize the opportunities now arising to move forward together toward liberation? Is there a “magic formula” for both solidarity and emergent strategy arising from our diversity? Our teaching team consisting of a former Buddhist nun, a professor of political science, and an international organizational design specialist proposes a boldly compassionate community discussion on how Creativity, Vulnerability and Power manifest, interact, and hold the potential for transformative change. Guided mindfulness meditation, music, reflective journaling, and contemplative interactive dialogue in trauma-informed and disability-informed ways.
Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their Eventbrite Confirmation Email.

ONLINE: New Years Day Tai Chi - Embodying the Heart Qualities
2021-01-01 09:00 - 10:00
An Online Class with Jenn Biehn, nialla rose, and Rosetta Saunders
Friday, January 1st 9AM – 10AM PST (Time Zone Converter)
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. Cultivating and embodying heart qualities such as equanimity, compassion, gratitude, generosity while practicing Tai Chi Chih can bring alignment and calm to body-heart-mind. Movement will be taught standing and seated. Join us in welcoming in the New Year!

ONLINE: Beginning a Meditation Practice
2021-01-06 18:30 - 20:30, 2021-01-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2021-01-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2021-01-27 18:30 - 20:30
Wednesdays January 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 2021
6:30 – 8:30PM PST (Time Zone Converter) Closed Captioning Provided
Part of EBMC’s Core Buddhist Teachings – 6-month Curriculum
Are you looking for a way to start a mindfulness meditation practice, but don’t quite know how? These classes will give you the basics of stationary and walking/gentle movement meditation in the vipassana (insight) style, and metta (loving kindness or good will) meditation. Don’t worry about “getting it right” – if you can sit – on a folding chair, on floor cushions, in a wheelchair – or lie down – and breathe, you’re off to a good start! This series is for those seeking stress reduction, or it can be the gateway to those new to Buddhism. Meditation can help you, over time, to develop a sense of increased physical well-being, mental clarity, compassionate connection, and spiritual growth.

ONLINE: Embodying the Timeless Wisdom of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr for Black, Indigenous and People of Color
2021-01-16 10:00 - 16:30, 2021-01-17 10:00 - 16:30, 2021-01-18 10:00 - 16:30
An Online Residential Retreat for Black, Indigenous and People of Color

Saturday, January 16th 2021 10AM – 4:30PM PST
Sunday, January 17th 2021 10AM – 4:30PM PST
Monday, January 18th 2021 10AM – 3:45PM PST
Time Zone Converter
ASL Interpretation & Closed Captioning Provided
with Konda Mason and Noliwe Alexander

If we cultivate the courage to walk the path of peace with loving awareness and fierce compassionate action, we can begin to manifest the dream of our collective liberation.
In these times of uncertainty and social injustice, as our values that we hold dearly are being jeopardized, realizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a Beloved Community can seem unreachable. In this 3-day online retreat we will call upon Dr. King’s wisdom, prophecy and undeniable commitment to justice and humanity. We will include honoring of our ancestral roots, mindfulness practices, silent and movement meditations, along with group dialogues.
Participants are encouraged to bring a journal or writing/drawing pad and to have small Ancestor item as a touch stone throughout the retreat.
Open to Black, Indigenous and People of Color. All levels of meditation practice welcome.

ONLINE: Honoring the Past, Writing the Future: A New Year's Ritual for BIPOC Femmes & NonBinary Folx
2021-01-23 10:00 - 13:00
An Online Class Led by shah noor hussein & Arisika Razak
Closed Captioning Provided
Join us for a half day of storytelling, dharma teachings, meditative movement, and art in which we compassionately examine our diverse personal histories, celebrate our heritage, and create new liberation stories through writing. We welcome self-identified People of Color that fall under the spectrum of cis & trans* women, gender nonconforming, gender neutral, androgynous, and nonbinary folks. Please bring writing and/or art supplies with you – as well as an object that represents your intentions for yourself in the new year or your personal power. Utilizing the writings and wisdom of cis & trans* Black feminist artists, we will set powerful intentions for the New Year and reclaiming ourselves through ritual. This interactive workshop will include guided meditations, breakout groups, writing activities, and other practices related to fostering self-exploration while deepening our self-love.

ONLINE: Opening the Heart Through the Buddha's Teachings - Parents Meditation Group
2021-01-25 20:45 - 21:45
