East Bay Meditation Center

IN PERSON: Silent Meditation Drop-in
2024-02-14 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-15 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-19 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-20 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-21 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-22 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-26 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-27 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 2 more dates | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
New! Mondays to Thursdays in February (1st to the 29th)
11 AM to 1 PM PT

In Person Only
You’re invited to drop in for open practice time at EBMC and sit or lie in the Main Temple. We have a variety of cushions and chairs available. Staff hosts will ring the bell every half hour. Our Library and Compassion Room will be available for use. You may also enjoy a cup of tea in our Kitchen.
In person participants are asked to use an N95 or KN95 mask. For those wishing to practice in person, space will be limited to 40 people to allow ample space for social distancing. N95 face masks will be available at EBMC. See our complete Safety and COVID guidelines here: https://eastbaymeditation.org/covid-19-updates/

To attend in person, you need to be completely free of fragranced body and clothing products — more information and a list of fragrance free products, including those that are especially good for people of color, appears on our website:
https://eastbaymeditation.org/resources/fragrance-free-at-ebmc/
East Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible.
To make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center, please do so via Paypal: paypal.me/eastbaymeditation or our website: eastbaymeditation.org/dana 100% of our programming is sliding scale and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds. Thank you for the gifts of your generosity and for supporting the work of East Bay Meditation Center and our beloved teachers who have volunteered their time.

IN PERSON: Healing the Wounds of Christianity: A Daylong for the Alphabet (LGBTQIA+) Community
2024-03-31 10:00 - 15:00
IN PERSON: Healing the Wounds of Christianity: A Daylong for the Alphabet (LGBTQIA+) Community
with Melvin Escobar & Dawn Haney
Sunday, March 31, 2024
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time
In person at EBMC (285 17th St, Oakland CA 94612)

As mindfulness practitioners learning in the United States, the cultural dominance of Christianity shapes our practice in unacknowledged ways. For those of us in the Alphabet (LGBTQIA+) Community, how have we attempted to escape the traumatic and historical wounds of Christianity with our mindfulness practice, only to find the same puritan values infused here too? Melvin & Dawn will bring together mindfulness practices and expressive art activities to directly explore Christian dominance (including its whiteness/patriarchy) and how we might collectively heal ourselves and our practices.

All registered participants will receive an EventBrite confirmation email.

For in-person participation:
For those wishing to practice in person, space will be limited to 40 people to allow ample space for social distancing. Participants will be asked to wear N95 or KN95 face masks. (N95 face masks will be available at EBMC.) Please note: Teachers may be unmasked while teaching.
To attend in person, you need to be completely free of fragranced body and clothing products — more information and a list of fragrance free products, including those that are especially good for people of color, appears on our website.
East Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible.

Teacher Bios

Melvin Escobar (he/him) is a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, licensed psychotherapist, and yoga instructor. He has walked the path of service for much of his life, drawing on his experiences as a queer man of color from an immigrant working-class background. Melvin is driven by the desire to make wisdom teachings accessible in culturally relevant ways and continues daily to learn the revolutionary potential of body-centered contemplative practices for personal and social healing.

Dawn Haney (they/she) has been organizing, coaching, teaching, and writing for 25 years, on feminism, white anti-racism, Buddhism, leadership, and liberation. They weave wisdom from Buddhism and social justice traditions, understanding identity, power, and change through their own experiences as a white, fat, queer, nonbinary femme, and through social movements from migrant justice to fat liberation. A dharma student since 2003, she is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders program, a Community Teacher at East Bay Meditation Center and the Alphabet Sangha, and has taught across the US, including as a former Co-Director of Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Cost
The teachings are regarded as priceless. So they are offered without a fee. You are invited to support the teachings and our efforts by contributing voluntary donations (the practice of “Dana”) for the expenses of the meditation center and the support of the teachers.

To support the teachings of Dawn and Melvin, please donate via:
Dawn – Paypal: dawnmarissa@gmail.com -or- Venmo: @dawnmarissa
Melvin – Paypal: melvin@melvinescobar.com -or- Venmo @Melvin-Escobar
paypal.me/PAYPALmelvinescobar; https://www.venmo.com/u/Melvin-Escobar

To make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center, please do so via:
Paypal: paypal.me/eastbaymeditation
Our website: eastbaymeditation.org/dana

IN PERSON: Healing the Healer: Cultivating Healing Within and In Community (for BIPOC and people of multi-heritage)
2024-04-27 10:00 - 16:00
Healing the Healer: Cultivating Healing Within and In Community
For BIPOC and people of multi-heritage
with Melvin Escobar and Jonathan Relucio
Saturday, April 27th, 2024
10am-4pm Pacific Time
In person at EBMC (285 17th St, Oakland CA 94612)

Healers and caregivers are invited to this workshop for a day of rest and renewal.
Jonathan and Melvin have over forty years combined experience doing social justice
work and will offer how the teachings in Buddhism and Yoga can connect us to the
healing that is possible in community. We will explore how to cultivate and build
resilience and self-compassion so that we can continue to be of service to self and
others.

All registered participants will receive an EventBrite confirmation email.

For in-person participation:
Space will be limited to 40 people to allow ample space for social distancing. Participants will be asked to wear N95 or KN95 face masks. (N95 face masks will be available at EBMC.) Please note: Teachers may be unmasked while teaching.
To attend in person, you need to be completely free of fragranced body and clothing products — more information and a list of fragrance free products, including those that are especially good for people of color, appears on our website.
East Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible.

Teacher Bios

Melvin Escobar is a core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, licensed
psychotherapist, and yoga instructor. He has walked the path of service for much of his life, drawing on his experiences as a queer man of color from an immigrant working-class background. Melvin is driven by the desire to make wisdom teachings accessible in culturally relevant ways and continues daily to learn the revolutionary potential of body-centered contemplative practices for personal and social healing.

For a decade, Jonathan Relucio taught trauma healing yoga, meditation, and
mindfulness in urban schools, mental health clinics and juvenile detention centers as
Senior Trainer for Niroga Institute. He completed East Bay Meditation Center’s Spiritual Teacher and Leadership (STL) Program and Spirit Rock’s Mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation Training; he is grateful to be a practitioner and teacher at both centers. Jonathan facilitates transformation in social justice movements with Rockwood Leadership Institute; integrates mindfulness with restorative circles for healing and racial equity; and is the co-founder of AllThriveEd.org. With over 20 years of experience in social services, community organizing, training, and leadership development, Jonathan values yoga and Dharma as liberation practices that heal us from oppressive systems.

To support the teachings of Jonathan and Melvin, please do so via:
–For Jonathan —
PayPal: discaya@gmail.com
Venmo: @JonathanRelucio, https://www.venmo.com/u/JonathanRelucio
–For Melvin —
PayPal: melvin@melvinescobar.com, paypal.me/PAYPALmelvinescobar
Venmo: @Melvin-Escobar, https://www.venmo.com/u/Melvin-Escobar

To make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center, please do so via Paypal: paypal.me/eastbaymeditation or our website: eastbaymeditation.org/dana 100% of our programming is sliding scale and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds.

Thank you for the gifts of your generosity and for supporting the work of East Bay Meditation Center and our beloved teachers who have volunteered their time.

2024 Open House Ice Cream Social
2024-06-02 13:00 - 16:00
Open House Ice Cream Social
Sunday, June 2nd 2024
1 to 4 PM
We are hosting a special event for our sangha to gather at our new space!
Activities

Ice cream outside from 1-3 PM (vegan and nut-free options will be available)
Short ceremony and meditation practice, led by EBMC Core Teacher Melvin Escobar, from 2 – 3 PM
Altar for Mothers, Fathers, Parents, and Caregivers of Gaza and Beyond that sangha members can add to
Writing or drawing messages of hope for the new center

This is your last chance to see the new building before we close it for renovations. Friends and family are welcome! We look forward to seeing you!
Please note:
N95 or KN95 masks are required inside unless eating/drinking.
The building is wheelchair-accessible and fragrance-free.

If you would like to volunteer for the event, please email kaiayo@eastbaymeditation.org

Center Open Hours
2024-08-13 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-15 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-20 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-22 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-27 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-29 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-03 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-05 11:00 - 13:00 and 8 more dates
We welcome you to drop by the center for unguided silent practice, our library, or a cup of tea in our kitchen.
with EBMC Staff
Daytime: Tuesday & Thursday
11 AM – 1 PM Pacific Time
EBMC is a fragrance-free center and is wheelchair accessible. N95/KN95 masks required.
Note: Due to capacity limitations of our small staff, we may occasionally need to shorten or cancel open hours. We will do our best to give as much advanced notice as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

IN PERSON: Drop-in Practice with Palestine
2024-10-06 10:00 - 13:00
Drop-in Practice with Palestine (in person only)
Sunday, October 6th 2024
10am to 1pm PT
with Ream and Kimi Mojica

Please note this event is limited to 60 attendees.

Please join the EBMC community for practice with Palestine. Our hearts are with the people of Palestine as we continue to act as a Ceasefire Sangha— a beloved community working for the liberation of all in alignment with the teachings of the Buddha.

We hear the call to Free Palestine and respond from our hearts. We know legacies of settler colonialism and racism are being undone by this freedom movement. We come together in this time of rising up for land and liberation by people across the world, inspired by Palestine, and in reverence and practice with the Land Back movement and the Ohlone, Oakland’s indigenous people.

This morning of practice will include: mindfulness, ceremony and sharing in community, as we call in the protection and support of the buddhas, elements and our ancestors for this work. There will be dharma reflection and sharing, stationary and moving meditation, and community support.
We welcome you to join us as you are, with your broken heart, your anger and your longings for a home in liberation. No registration required.

WE NEED HELP WITH SETUP, GREETING, AND CLEAN-UP!
If you are interested and available, please email Ream: ream.somatics@gmail.com

~Setup: Come at about 9:30am to help with cushions and chairs
~Greeting: Open the door and help welcome sangha members to the space (ideal if 2-3 people are available from 10am to 1pm and can switch off)
~Cleanup: Stay until about 1:30pm to help put things away and close the center

IN PERSON POLICIES:
Capacity is limited to 60 people. Participants will be asked to bring and wear N95 or KN95 face masks. (N95 face masks will be available at EBMC if you forget yours.) Please note: The teacher may be unmasked while teaching. If you are feeling unwell, please practice self and community care by staying home.
To attend in person, you need to be completely free of fragranced body and clothing products — more information and a list of fragrance free products, including those that are especially good for people of color, appears on our website.
East Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible.

COST:

Here at EBMC, we practice gift economics and our programs are offered freely without set fees. Financial gifts from our community help to sustain our teachers AND our center. Generosity is the Buddha’s first teaching, the lifeblood of EBMC, and an act of sacred reciprocity. We ask that those who have more financial means give more, in order to help balance the giving of those who have less financial means.
To offer a gift to the teachers, please do so via:
~For Ream
Venmo: @Ranger18Ream
PayPal: adelante@riseup.net
~For Kimi Mojica
Venmo:@Kimi-Mojica
Paypal:@KimiMojica
CashApp:$KimiMojica.
~Please reference “Palestine Practice”.
To make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center, please do so via our website: eastbaymeditation.org/dana. Consider becoming a monthly donor for any amount! These contributions are especially valuable to our sustainability.
