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SUMMARY:IN PERSON: Volunteer Training
DESCRIPTION:Hello Dear Ones\, \n\nWe are hosting an in-person volunteer training at EBMC (285 17th St\, Oakland CA) on November 22nd\, 10am-12pm.  We will show you how to set up the center\, greet people\, use our A/V equipment\, and clean up.\n \nPlease RSVP by Wednesday\, November 19th.\n\nOur volunteers are a critical part of our operations and every little contribution goes a long way. As we work toward bringing more people back to the center\, helping out in-person is much needed. Volunteering is also a form of dana (generous giving)\, a great way to deepen your practice\, and a bridge to building more connections with the EBMC sangha.\n\nThank you for your support!\n\n-EBMC Staff
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/in-person-volunteer-training/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Only
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251123T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251123T140000
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UID:10010732-1763892000-1763906400@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID: White and Awakening in Sangha
DESCRIPTION:HYBRID: White and Awakening in Sangha \nSundays from 10am to 2pm PT \nSeptember 28\, October 12 and 26\, November 9 and 23\, 2025 \nWith Crystal Johnson\, Kitsy Schoen\, and Heather Lear \nOpen to white-identified practitioners \nClosed Captioning Provided on Zoom \nThe center is fragrance-free and wheelchair accessible \nN95/KN95 masks required \n  \nPlease note; registration for this class is two steps: 1) On-Demand materials and 2) Live Class Registration.   \n  \nCourse Description \nSince 2007\, the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) has been offering courses designed for white people who want to build awareness and skills for disrupting the operation of white supremacy culture.  We began this journey by developing a  curriculum that guided white people into deeper awareness of our white conditioning\, and built intra- and inter-personal skills to support the creation of inclusive sangha.  Over time\, we have gone deeper into the dharma practices that guide us toward wise effort and wise action in our lives and communities to address the harm arising from race-based oppression.  By bringing our practice to bear our actions are guided by the Precepts and informed by the teaching of the Eightfold Path.   \n  \nThis year\, we are offering the foundations class in a revised format and adapted for a time of great conflict and violence\, and of intense political and psychological polarization around issues of race and justice and harm.  We are offering the basic curriculum in an On-Demand\, online format that participants can watch on their own time or by joining one of the hosted “watch parties” that will be offered.  The live course meetings will be focused on: \n\nBuilding a supportive community of white people to deepen our inquiries and support our efforts to grow and change\nDigesting and sharing our increasing understanding of white conditioning\, the operation of systemic racism and the psychological strategies that keep us stuck as we work to engage with the painful realities of white supremacy\nDeveloping intra- and inter- personal skills for personal and community development\nCultivating meditation practices that allow us to stay present in very difficult circumstances while staying grounded in our values\nBuilding our understanding of\, and commitment to\, wise effort and action guided by deep compassion \n\n   \nFormat \nThis course is designed to include people with a wide range of experience.  We will cover the basics of whiteness through the On-Demand materials that can be viewed privately or in one of the watch parties that we will host.  The live sessions (offered both in person and online) will offer additional materials\, including guided meditation\, dharma talks and discussion\, Q&R\, small group conversations\, and large group sharing.  Partial recordings of live sessions will be available for people who wish to review the material or who have to miss a class meeting. \n  \nPrerequisites \nPlease come to the class with an established meditation practice\, a genuine openness to learning from the teachers and other participants\, and the willingness and capacity to move through difficult emotions and psychological disruption while staying engaged.  This work requires courageous and honest self-reflection and the commitment to show up for ourselves and each other with compassion.  We rely on the strength of our community to get through the hard stuff. \nYou will get the most out of this course if you: \n\nWatch all the materials offered and complete the exercises\nDo the offered practices every day\nShow up with a wide open heart and willingness to be surprised\nCome in person\, if at all possible.  We are very happy to welcome those who join us from far away\, and we do feel there is something lost in being remote…\n\n  \nWe invite you into our practice of Gift Economics \nAt the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC)\, we practice Gift Economics\, which means\, among other things\, that we welcome you into our community\, and invite you to contribute according to your capacity and inspiration\, rather than as if you are purchasing a product/course.  By donating to EBMC\, you are supporting a community founded and dedicated to creating a dharma refuge for BIPOC\, LGBTQI2+\, people with disabilities\, other marginalized communities\, and everyone (including us white identified folks) who seeks to end suffering and cultivate happiness. Our mission is to foster liberation\, personal and interpersonal healing\, social action\, and inclusive community building.   \nWe hope that you will join us. \nFor this course\, the teachers offer their time without monetary compensation as a practice of reparation\, so that 80% of your donation for the On-Demand materials\, and 100% of your registration contributions will go to support the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC).  We will invite you to offer dana twice in this registration process (yes it’s a little clunky…).   \n  \nNext Steps \n\nFirst\, please register for the On-Demand materials through Spirit Rock.  The dana that you offer here will support EBMC (80%) who created the class\, and Spirit Rock (20%)\, who produced it.  \nSecond\, please register through EventBrite for the EBMC live class here. We invite you to contribute as generously as you can\, given your economic circumstances. \nYou may also contribute each time the class meets\, or at any time\, by going to the EBMC Donation page or through Venmo at @eastbaymeditation.   If you attend the class in person\, you may also contribute via check or cash.\n\n  \nQuestions?  Write to us at WhiteandAwakeninginSangha@eastbaymeditation.org \n  \nThe On-Demand materials qualify for 6 homestudy CE credits for $100 for psychologists and California licensed MFTs\, LCSWs\, LEPs\, LPCCs\, nurses\, and chiropractors. \n  \nA technical note: You should receive a confirmation email within a day of completing your registration.  If you don’t receive this email\, please contact us at whiteandawakening@eastbaymeditation.org so that we can troubleshoot this issue! \n  \nFor in-person participation: \nFor those wishing to practice in person\, space will be limited to 60 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: The teacher may be unmasked while teaching. \nTo 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/ \nEast Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible. \n  \nUniversal Access Requests on Zoom to help with sound and video quality. If possible… \n1. When speaking\, introduce your name\, pronouns\, and (optionally) a brief physical description of yourself. \n2. If using virtual backgrounds\, please use static\, simple\, high-contrast backgrounds. \n3. Please keep your camera still while your camera is on. \n4. Please repeat your name when you speak to help those with visual impairment. \n5. The host/volunteer will attempt to read any comments that appear in the chat out loud. \n6. Please strive for clear audio and mute when you are not speaking. Phone access is also available. \n7. If you have unmet access needs\, please send a message to the volunteer or host in the chat. If the chat is not accessible to you\, please offer them briefly in one minute or less via voice. Please do not send access requests directly to other participants. \n \nTEACHERS \n \nCrystal Johnson is a retired clinical psychologist and a Community Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland\, CA\, where she also serves on the Leadership Sangha (Board) and as a member of the Radical Inclusivity Committee. She completed the year long Commit2Dharma training at EBMC\, as well as the 2-year Dedicated Practitioner Program and the 2-year Community Dharma Leader Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. In her teaching\, she focuses on creating/co-creating programs for white dharma practitioners seeking to build awareness\, knowledge and skills to challenge the dynamics of white privilege and race-based oppression\, and create truly inclusive sangha. Her courses include White and Awakening in Sangha at EBMC\, Unpacking Whiteness: Reflection and Action at the San Francisco Zen Center\, White and Awakening Together at Spirit Rock Meditation Center\, Unpacking Whiteness for the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and Unpacking the Whiteness of Leadership for Branching Streams. She offers consultation to individuals and organizations seeking to disrupt the practices of white supremacy culture and support change toward racial equity. \n \nKitsy Schoen\, MSW\, began her mindfulness practice and was inspired to work as a hospice social worker after meeting Stephen Levine in 1979. Throughout her career she has been able to integrate mindfulness and her passion for racial equity into her work. At Kaiser Permanente\, Kitsy led the NCAL Kaiser Psychiatry’s Cultural Diversity Workgroup and was a founding member of the “Isms Collaborative”\, a group of representatives from public and private health care organizations that sought to address workplace bias in agencies committed to reducing health disparities. In 2004 she began Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader program with the specific focus of bringing insight and compassion practices to working with other white people on racism. In 2007\, she joined the Leadership Sangha (board) of East Bay Meditation Center and began offering antiracism classes to white practitioners. Kitsy has provided training and consultation to numerous mental health training programs and dharma centers on issues of racism\, power and privilege. \n \nHeather Lear (she/her) was born and raised with the Dharma in a family of Insight Meditation practitioners in the South\, and is now based on unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land in San Francisco. She studies and teaches at the intersection of heart-centered Dharma\, embodiment practices and DEIA work around white and awakening in community\, and serves as the Program Manager at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Heather has completed various study and teaching programs\, including Spirit Rock’s LEAP program\, the Sati Center’s Buddhist Chaplaincy Training\, and Radiant Heart Qigong Teacher Training with Teja Bell. She has served on the board at Insight Santa Cruz\, on the teaching team offering the 6-month White and Awakening in Sangha program at the East Bay Meditation Center since 2019\, and is part of the current Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders (CDL7) cohort.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/white-and-awakening-in-sangha/2025-11-23/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes,Hybrid
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251123T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251123T193000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20220102T001510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250214T034417Z
UID:10008902-1763920800-1763926200@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:Every Body Every Mind Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Every Body Every Mind Sangha is a weekly practice group for people living with disabilities\, limitations\, differences and chronic illnesses. \nSundays \n6:00 pm – 7:30 pm \n  \nONLINE WITH SPECIAL HYBRID DATES \nMarch 23rd 2025 with Arisika Razak \nApril 20th 2025 with Anne Finger \nMay 18th 2025 with Mushim Ikeda \nJune 22nd 2025 with Anne Finger \nNo registration needed to attend these meetings in person. More hybrid dates may be announced in the future. \n  \nTo join online\, please email:  ebem at eastbaymeditation dot org to request a Zoom link.  \nPlease come and take part in this time to meditate\, share our lives and support with each other\, and learn more about the dharma. There is no need to register for these weekly meetings\, just come and share this path together! \nEveryBody\, EveryMind Teacher Group: Debra Kerr\, Kenji Oshima\, Anne Finger\, Master John W. Ellis IV\, Beth Smith\, Mushim Ikeda\, Victor Jih\, & Zac Krohn \nFor more info\, visit the Every Body Every Mind Sangha Website.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/every-body-every-mind/2025-11-23/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251124T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251124T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251017T025519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T192824Z
UID:10010987-1764007200-1764016200@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation
DESCRIPTION:ONLINE: Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation \n4 week course \nMondays on November 3rd\, 10th\, 17th\, and 24th 2025 \n6:00 – 8:00PM PT (Time Zone Converter) \nWith Imee Contreras\, Janet Roos and Rebekah Eppley \nOnline only \nAll are welcome \n  \nThis 4-week introductory course invites you to explore the foundations of mindfulness while nurturing compassion\, joy\, and ease in daily life. Drawing from both Buddhist teachings and contemporary science\, we will practice the Four Foundations of Mindfulness alongside guided meditations on the Brahma Vihāras — loving-kindness\, compassion\, appreciative joy\, and equanimity. \nEach session combines guided meditation\, short talks\, and group reflections to deepen understanding and connection. Participants will also receive resources and practices to support mindfulness during the week\, helping to establish or strengthen a regular meditation practice. \nOur aim is to create a safe\, inclusive space for: \n\nLearning practical mindfulness tools for everyday life\nCultivating steady presence and emotional balance through weekly practices\nConnecting with Sangha — a supportive community of practitioners\n\nOpen to beginners and experienced meditators alike. No prior meditation experience is needed. \n  \n\n\n\n\nCost \nThe 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. \nThe ticket prices are listed as different tiers with suggested donations based on income ranges. For those who wish to give more\, you may choose an “add-on” to your ticket. For those unable to give\, there is an option for that. \nNote that all Eventbrite ticket sales go to EBMC and not the teachers. \n  \nTo support our dear teachers\, \nVenmo: @Rebekah-Eppley \nPayPal: raeppley@gmail.com \n(Please reference “Intro to Mindfulness” and the teachers will share the gifts with each other) \n  \nOther ways to give: \nTo make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center\, you may 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. \nThank 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. \n  \nFor Zoom participation\, these are our Universal Access Guidelines: \n1. When speaking\, introduce your name\, pronouns\, and (optionally) a brief physical description of yourself. \n2. If using virtual backgrounds\, please use static\, simple\, high-contrast backgrounds. \n3. Please keep your camera still while your camera is on. \n4. Please repeat your name when you speak to help those with visual impairment. \n5. The host/volunteer will attempt to read any comments that appear in the chat out loud. \n6. Please strive for clear audio and mute when you are not speaking. Phone access is also available. \n7. If you have unmet access needs\, please send a message to the volunteer or host in the chat. If the chat is not accessible to you\, please offer them briefly in one minute or less via voice. Please do not send access requests directly to other participants. \n  \n \n  \n\n\n\n\nTeachers\n \nImee Contreras \nImee is recognized as a leading mindfulness teacher in the Philippines and across Asia.  She is the founder of Mindfulness Asia and Nibbāna Forest Refuge.  She is a co-founder of Philippine Insight Meditation Community and Katahimikan; Philippine Day of Mindfulness. She is a mentor for Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program and the Power of Awareness at Sounds True\, an authorized teacher at UCLA Health\, a Cross-Cultural Mindfulness Teacher and Board Member of Braided Wisdom\, and a visiting teacher at East Bay Meditation Center. She is a founding Advisory Council member of the Global Compassion Coalition. \nShe graduated from Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leadership Program\, UCLA’s Training in Mindfulness Facilitation program\, and is an IMTA-Certified Mindfulness Teacher. She develops and facilitates mindfulness programs for companies\, schools\, and events; both locally and internationally.  She volunteers to teach incarcerated women serving life imprisonment and also supports abused women and children in the Philippines. \n \nJanet E. Roos (she/her) CMT-P \nJanet serves as the Chief Financial Officer\, Teacher/Mindfulness Facilitator\, and Consultant for non-profit Braided Wisdom. She is a UCLA-Certified Mindfulness Facilitator\, a graduate of the Braided Wisdom Leadership Training Program\, and a certified Mindfulness Mentor (Banyan). \nWith a passion for integrating mindfulness into daily life\, she has introduced mindfulness best practices to corporate employees\, athletes\, and diverse communities. \nWith a leadership journey spanning decade\, she began as a co-captain in athletics and went on to lead more than 35 years of innovation in business technology\, driving change across diverse industries from Financial Services\, Information Technology\, Consultancy and Health Care. A four-time Hall of Fame inductee and recognized elite athlete\, Janet has learned through both triumphs and challenges that true resilience comes from within. She deeply honors the value and love of family and community. As well as\, a daily mindfulness practice in everyday life as a gentle path to reconnect with ourselves and to nurture deeper connection with one another and with the living earth that sustains us. \nShe draws inspiration from time spent in nature\, where she finds balance\, renewal\, and a reminder of the deep interconnectedness of all life. She is grateful to offer service to community through volunteer work and brings her experience and open-heart as a member of the board of two nonprofit organizations. \n \nRebekah Eppley \nRebekah is a writer and worked as a librarian at Oakland Public Library for 18 years. She was introduced to meditation and the Dharma through a Mindful Writing course in 2013 by her late teacher Chris Malcomb. She started a more formal meditation practice with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel at her Still Breathing Center in 2014 and found her way to the East Bay Meditation Center in late 2014 where she has been practicing since. She made her Bodhisattva vows with Mushim Ikeda in 2017 and renewed them in 2024. She’s a member of EBMC’s Program Committee and volunteers and teaches with EBMC’s Maha Sangha. In 2023 she graduated from EBMC’s Spiritual Teacher and Leadership program and is currently part of the Community Dharma Leaders Training at Spirit Rock.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-introduction-to-mindfulness-and-meditation-2/2025-11-24/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes,Online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251124T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251124T200000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20161201T214713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250103T214832Z
UID:10005117-1764009000-1764014400@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
DESCRIPTION:Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group\nFourth Mondays (online over zoom)\n6:30-8pm PM PST \nThis deep refuge group is by and for trans/gender-expansive people. Our goal is to provide a welcoming community space for trans/gender-expansive folks who are interested in exploring meditation and other aspects of Buddhist practice. Both beginners and experienced practitioners welcome! \nTo be added to the email list\, please email tgedeeprefuge@eastbaymeditation.org with a quick note about your interest in the group. We look forward to practicing with you!
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/trans-genderqueer-peer-led-deep-refuge-group/2025-11-24/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251125T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251125T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251003T004315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T191533Z
UID:10010953-1764090000-1764097200@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:IN PERSON: Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building
DESCRIPTION:Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building \nTuesdays\, Thursdays\, and Fridays \n5-7 PM PT \nIn person only \n  \nStarting the week of July 7th\, we now have the center open every Tuesday\, Thursday and Friday from 5-7pm. The first hour (5-6pm) will be for meditation in our temple or compassion room space or to peruse our library offerings. The second hour (6-6:45pm) will be for a fun social potluck in the kitchen space. Everyone is encouraged to bring something to share with the group. We hope this effort will build some momentum and energy for EBMC and bring more people in our community together in-person. \n  \nThese new community building hours are the same evenings as our Alphabet (Tuesdays 7pm)\, BIPOC (Thursdays 7pm) and Maha Sanghas (Fridays 7pm) so we hope this effort will also encourage people to join those groups with a hope to generate enough attendance to bring them back to in-person every week! This was also based on feedback from the survey. See more info about our Practice Groups here.  \n  \nThere are so many reasons to be in community right now and EBMC wants to support this by opening our space during these times to anyone who needs it. We are stronger when we are in solidarity together to meet the moment we are in. We hope to see you soon! Come practice. Come snack. Come as you are. Feel free to bring a friend! \n  \nPlease note: During these specific hours\, masks will be encouraged\, but not required. Again\, this is a pilot effort that we are trying in this one area based on survey responses\, with a goal of expanding our circle\, but as of now\, our masking policy remains the same for all other programming and events.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/gather-ground-compassionate-community-building-2/2025-11-25/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Only
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251125T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251125T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20240307T054212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T192552Z
UID:10009987-1764097200-1764102600@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Alphabet Sangha
DESCRIPTION:A meditation group for the Lesbian\, Gay\, Bisexual\, Transgender\, Queer\, Intersex\, Same-Gender Loving\, and Two-Spirit communities. Because that’s such a mouthful\, we call ourselves the Alphabet Sangha. \nTuesdays\n7:00 – 8:30 pm \nPlease email: alphabetsangha at eastbaymeditation dot org to request Zoom link to join online.  \nFor more information\, visit the ALPHABET SANGHA WEBSITE
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-alphabet-sangha-3/2025-11-25/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251126T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251126T073000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20250107T181859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T181953Z
UID:10010429-1764140400-1764142200@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Kapwa Meditation for Filipinx/a/o Community
DESCRIPTION:We are happy to announce that a weekly Kapwa Meditation for Filipinx/a/o folks will begin on Wednesday\, Jan. 8\, from 7:00 to 7:30 AM Pacific Time. We will continue to gather every Wednesday morning\, coming together for support and practice\, on our paths of individual and collective transformation. \n  \nIn addition to our weekly meditation\, we would like to remind everyone of our monthly Kapwa Deep Refuge Group for Filipinx/a/o folks. Launched in the Spring of 2024\, we meet on the third Sunday of every month\, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Pacific Time. \nTogether\, in both spaces\, we aspire to cultivate a special community space in the intersection of Filipinx/a/o identity + culture + history and Buddhist spiritual practice. \nThe Zoom credentials are the same for both our weekly Wednesday meditation and our monthly gathering. \nIf you identify as Filipinx/a/o and would like to join\, please contact us at: kapwa.deep.refuge@gmail.com
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/kapwa-meditation-for-filipinx-a-o-community/2025-11-26/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251126T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251126T133500
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20250918T043624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T043624Z
UID:10009595-1764158400-1764164100@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Midday Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Join our peer-led multicultural sangha for silent meditation practice and community building. \nEvery Wednesday\n12:00 – 12:45pm PST   Silent sitting\, standing or lying down meditation with optional walking meditation. \n12:55 – 1:35pm PST   Facilitated conversation about our practice and being the dharma in the world \nHYBRID EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY\, ONLINE FOR OTHER MEETINGS (unless otherwise noted) \nMidday Sangha Coordinating Committee:\nemiko yoshikami\, Jennie Powe Runde\, Sakshi Uomoto\, Elese Lebsack and Robert Gavino \nemail middaysangha at eastbaymeditation dot org for zoom link and password 
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-midday-sangha-10/2025-11-26/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251126T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251126T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20250820T000354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T194252Z
UID:10010742-1764181800-1764189000@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID: Path of the Modern Bodhisattva\, Class Series 2
DESCRIPTION:Path of the Modern Bodhisattva (Class Series 2 of 2) \nwith Mushim Ikeda \n  \nWednesday Evenings \nNovember 5th\, 12th\, 19th\, and 26th \n6:30 – 8:30 PM PT (Time Zone Converter) \nHYBRID \nClosed Captioning Provided on Zoom \nThe center is fragrance-free and wheelchair accessible \nN95/KN95 masks required \n  \nI\, 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 \n  \nEmbodiment! Joy! Commitment! Strategic Action! In Mahayana Buddhism\, the Bodhisattva works and plays ceaselessly to liberate all suffering beings\, lifetime after lifetime. And – how do you and I show up\, day after day\, in the gigantic mess of our times\, to do the great work? \n  \nFor the sixth 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 Fourteenth Dalai Lama and by Thich Nhat Hanh. \n  \nSign up for Series 1 (Wednesdays\, Oct 8-29\, 6:30-8:30pm PT) \n\n\nSign up for the daylong ceremony (Dec 14\, 10am-4pm PT) \n\n\n  \nMushim (Patricia) Ikeda received Bodhisattva precepts and vows at the Zen Buddhist Temple-Toronto\, Canada in 1983. She is an EBMC core teacher\, a widely-published writer\, and a social justice activist based in Oakland\, California. Mushim has practiced as both a monastic and a lay householder. For events\, writing\, video teachings\, go to www.mushimikeda.com \n  \n\n\n\n\nCost \nThe 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. \n  \nThe ticket prices are listed as different tiers with suggested donations based on income ranges. For those who wish to give more\, you may choose an “add-on” to your ticket. For those unable to give\, there is an option for that. \n  \nOther ways to give: \nTo make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center\, you may do so at bit.ly/ebmc-give 100% of our programming on a sliding scale and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds. \n  \nPlease also consider giving a financial gift to our teachers as well\, who do not receive a salary for their work\, and give their teachings freely to all. \n  \nVenmo: @MushimPatricia-Ikeda \nPayPal: info@mushimikeda.com \n  \nPlease indicate “Bodhisattva” in the subject line. \n  \nThank 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. \n  \nFor in-person participation: \nFor those wishing to practice in person\, space will be limited to 60 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: The teacher may be unmasked while teaching. \nTo 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/ \nEast Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible. \n  \nFor Zoom participation\, these are our Universal Access Guidelines: \n1. When speaking\, introduce your name\, pronouns\, and (optionally) a brief physical description of yourself. \n2. If using virtual backgrounds\, please use static\, simple\, high-contrast backgrounds. \n3. Please keep your camera still while your camera is on. \n4. Please repeat your name when you speak to help those with visual impairment. \n5. The host/volunteer will attempt to read any comments that appear in the chat out loud. \n6. Please strive for clear audio and mute when you are not speaking. Phone access is also available. \n7. If you have unmet access needs\, please send a message to the volunteer or host in the chat. If the chat is not accessible to you\, please offer them briefly in one minute or less via voice. Please do not send access requests directly to other participants. \n \n  \n\n\n\n\nTeacher\n \nMushim Patricia Ikeda is an internationally-known secular mindfulness and Buddhist teacher working primarily with justice activists and Black\, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) meditation practitioners. A core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland\, California\, she is an author whose writing has been published in Lion’s Roar\, Tricycle\, Buddhadharma and various anthologies. She is the founding and guiding teacher of EBMC’s Practice in Transformative Action\, a yearlong program that completed its tenth cohort in July 2023\, providing secular mindfulness training for justice activists and agents of change. Mushim was selected by Lion’s Roar Buddhist media magazine as one of twenty-six “Great Buddhist Teachers” in the January 2022 issue. If you would like to make a gift to our beloved teacher\, please do so via Venmo: @MushimPatricia-Ikeda or PayPal: info@mushimikeda.com
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/hybrid-path-of-the-modern-bodhisattva-class-series-2-2/2025-11-26/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes,Hybrid
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251127T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251127T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20250117T235140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250117T235140Z
UID:10010535-1764270000-1764275400@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: BIPOC Sangha
DESCRIPTION:The BIPOC Sangha is a growing community of Black\, Indigenous\, and People of Color waking up and getting free! \nThursdays\n7 – 8:30 PM PT \n**Online on Second\, Fourth (and the possible Fifth) Thursdays \n**Hybrid on First and Third Thursdays \n**Potluck in the EBMC kitchen on the Third Thursday meeting\, from 6-7 PM PT! Bring a dish or beverage to share. \nClosed Captions Provided.  \nZoom info: Meeting details are shared through their mailing list (subscribe on their website)\, and their Facebook group.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-bipoc-sangha/2025-11-27/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251128T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251128T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251217T193217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T193217Z
UID:10010703-1764354600-1764361800@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: BIPOC Write Action Deep Refuge Group
DESCRIPTION:The BIPOC Write Action Deep Refuge Group gathers monthly to pause\, ground ourselves and practice writing as a form of creative self-expression and mindful reflection. Modeled on the EBMC Daylong event\, the exercises are guided by prompts and participants are welcomed\, but not required\, to share their work with the group. \nThe Write Action Group is peer-led and members take turns facilitating and offering guiding prompts each month. Meetings are held on 4th Fridays\, from 6:30-8:30pm PT over Zoom. Join us! Please email for more information: bipocwriteactiongroup@eastbaymeditation.org \nNote: We acknowledge the history of the name “Write Action”\, which was created by Kenji Liu and Mushim Ikeda.  It was originally called Write Action for POC when they led the first workshop at EBMC on April 10\, 2011.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-bipoc-write-action-deep-refuge-group-2-2/2025-11-28/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251128T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251128T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20161201T205931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220408T081426Z
UID:10007183-1764356400-1764361800@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Queer Leather Peer-Led Deep Refuge Group
DESCRIPTION:The Queer Leather Meditation Deep Refuge Group is a peer-led meditation group for those of us who have a meditation practice and are queer and leather/kink-identified. We meet on the 4th Friday of every month from 7–8:30 p.m. We are open to and welcome new drop-in participants\, whether this is your first sit or your 10\,000th! For upcoming meeting details or to join our mailing list or online groups\, please visit http://www.queerleathermeditation.org/. If you have questions please contact admin@queerleathermeditation.org. \n 
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/queer-leather-peer-led-deep-refuge-group-2020-02-28-2020-04-28/2025-11-28/
LOCATION:Off Site Venue
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251128T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251128T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20230416T180913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230416T184155Z
UID:10009420-1764356400-1764361800@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID: Maha Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Maha Sangha for All People & Communities\nCreating Freedom in Community\nHybrid\, every 4th Friday of the month\, 7:00 – 8:30pm. \nEvent Details: Meets weekly on zoom\, and starting to meet once a month in person\, email mahasangha at eastbaymeditation dot org for more info and get on our newsletter \nThe EBMC Maha Sangha for All People and Communities is a meditation and dharma group with an emphasis on radical inclusivity and social justice. \nMaha is a Pali word meaning whole\, great\, larger/largest\, deepest\, and Sangha is a Pali word for community\, or community of practitioners. Together\, these words represent a place where all people and communities are warmly invited to explore the Dharma together in keeping with East Bay Meditation Center’s core mission to foster liberation\, personal and interpersonal healing\, social action\, and inclusive community building. We hope that you will join us. \nThe EBMC Maha Sangha’s leadership team of teachers\, dharma leaders\, and sangha members includes: Arisika Razak\, Fresh! Lev White\,  Rebekah Eppley\, Sarwang Parikh and Shay. \nContact: mahasangha at eastbaymeditation org
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/hybrid-maha-sangha/2025-11-28/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251129T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251129T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20200406T020139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T225121Z
UID:10006703-1764410400-1764415800@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: 8 Step Buddhist Recovery Deep Refuge
DESCRIPTION:Every Saturday from 10AM – 11:30AM PST / PDT ONLINE \nCompassionate Dharma Deep Refuge Buddhist meetings focus on ways to heal addiction. Based on the Eight Steps to Recovery developed by Dr. Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) and Dr Groves\, we believe this inclusive approach can build a solid foundation for those at any level of recovery and for those who have yet to seek help. \nThrough these practices we hope you gain a practice that can sustain you in your recovery. \nWe are a multi-recovery space. Whether you are navigating addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol\, or process addictions\, such as disordered eating\, codependency\, or sex and love addiction–you are welcome here. \nAdvance Registration is not required. \nFor additional information\, please contact: ebmcrecovery at gmail dot com.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/8-step-recovery/2025-11-29/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251130T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251130T193000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20220102T001510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250214T034417Z
UID:10008903-1764525600-1764531000@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:Every Body Every Mind Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Every Body Every Mind Sangha is a weekly practice group for people living with disabilities\, limitations\, differences and chronic illnesses. \nSundays \n6:00 pm – 7:30 pm \n  \nONLINE WITH SPECIAL HYBRID DATES \nMarch 23rd 2025 with Arisika Razak \nApril 20th 2025 with Anne Finger \nMay 18th 2025 with Mushim Ikeda \nJune 22nd 2025 with Anne Finger \nNo registration needed to attend these meetings in person. More hybrid dates may be announced in the future. \n  \nTo join online\, please email:  ebem at eastbaymeditation dot org to request a Zoom link.  \nPlease come and take part in this time to meditate\, share our lives and support with each other\, and learn more about the dharma. There is no need to register for these weekly meetings\, just come and share this path together! \nEveryBody\, EveryMind Teacher Group: Debra Kerr\, Kenji Oshima\, Anne Finger\, Master John W. Ellis IV\, Beth Smith\, Mushim Ikeda\, Victor Jih\, & Zac Krohn \nFor more info\, visit the Every Body Every Mind Sangha Website.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/every-body-every-mind/2025-11-30/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251201T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251201T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251107T025816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T231540Z
UID:10010996-1764613800-1764621000@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE CLASS SERIES: Finding Liberation in Relationship
DESCRIPTION:Finding Liberation in Relationship: Accountability\, Conflict\, Boundaries and Feedback \n4 Monday evenings \nDecember 1st\, 8th\, 15th and 22nd 2025 \n6:30-8:30 PM PT (Time Zone Converter) \nOnline\, open to all \nWith Dawn Haney and Regent Brown \nClosed Captioning Provided on Zoom \n  \nIn this time of so much conflict\, devastation and uprising\, how do we bring our practice to our relationships\, and how do we find freedom and choice there? Our friendships\, partnerships\, family and communities can be a source of joy and support\, and also of struggle and suffering. In this four week class we will explore concrete practices grounded in Buddhist meditation\, somatics\, and transformative justice. \nWe will practice feedback\, boundaries\, mindful accountability\, and nervous system regulation\, while applying mindfulness to investigate our conditioned tendencies and positionality in power relations. Through turning towards the delight and difficulty in our relationships\, including with Sangha\, we will build resource and resilience and create space to be our most authentic selves in our relationships and in the larger world. \n  \n\n\n\n\nCost \nThe 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. \nThe ticket prices are listed as different tiers with suggested donations based on income ranges. For those who wish to give more\, you may choose an “add-on” to your ticket. For those unable to give\, there is an option for that. \nOther ways to give: \nTo make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center\, you may 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. \n  \nTo support our teachers\, please do so via: \nVenmo: dawnmarissa or Paypal: dawnmarissa@gmail.com \nVenmo: @Regent_Brown or CashApp: $RegentBrown \n  \nThank 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. \n  \nUniversal Access Requests on Zoom to help with sound and video quality. If possible… \n1. When speaking\, introduce your name\, pronouns\, and (optionally) a brief physical description of yourself. \n2. If using virtual backgrounds\, please use static\, simple\, high-contrast backgrounds. \n3. Please keep your camera still while your camera is on. \n4. Please repeat your name when you speak to help those with visual impairment. \n5. The host/volunteer will attempt to read any comments that appear in the chat out loud. \n6. Please strive for clear audio and mute when you are not speaking. Phone access is also available. \n7. If you have unmet access needs\, please send a message to the volunteer or host in the chat. If the chat is not accessible to you\, please offer them briefly in one minute or less via voice. Please do not send access requests directly to other participants. \n \n\n\n\n\nTeaching Team\n \nDawn Haney is a teacher\, coach\, and consultant\, committed to helping communities and organizations learn how to navigate change while attending to dynamics of identity and power. They braid together wisdom from Buddhism\, social justice\, and psychology traditions\, and alchemize this with their own experiences as a white\, fat\, queer\, neurodivergent\, nonbinary femme to support individual and community change. A dharma student since 2003\, she is a Community Teacher at East Bay Meditation Center\, mentors new meditation teachers\, and offers DEIA and organizational development consulting to meditation programs and social change groups. \n \nRegent Brown (Queen) is a biracial Afro-Indigenous\, disabled\, two-spirit womxn who has been practicing the Dharma since 2016 and part of the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) community of practice since 2018. Regent’s story has had many twists including surviving cancer twice\, relocating during the pandemic\, and being married for over a decade. And these twists have only deepened Regent’s passion for liberatory practices in the dharma. Regent supports liberation and decolonization as a coach\, circle keeper\, trainer\, healer\, facilitator\, and participant in interdependent community wellness.  As a recent graduate of the inaugural Freedom Together Mindfulness Teacher Program\, and a current member of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders program\, Regent joins a bountiful group of BIPOC mindfulness teachers working to weave decolonized practices through their work\, relationships\, and communities.  Regent’s other practices of manifesting joy include karaoke\, goats\, traveling to photograph sunsets\, gardening\, and discovering small parks while walking her 7 year old Corgi mix pup\, Perkelsnertz.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-class-series-finding-liberation-in-relationship-2-2/2025-12-01/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes,Online
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251201T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251201T211500
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20240430T232031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240430T232141Z
UID:10010140-1764619200-1764623700@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Parent-Caregiver Sangha
DESCRIPTION:EBMC’s Parent-Caregiver teaching team will be offering a monthly parents’ meditation group for restoration\, support and connection.\n\nParenting often can be challenging…as well as a great practice. 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.\n\n\n\n\nMeeting time: First Mondays of the month\, 8-9:15 PM Pacific Time. On Zoom (closed captions provided).\n\nClick here for more information.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-parent-caregiver-sangha/2025-12-01/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251202T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251202T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251003T004315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T191533Z
UID:10010954-1764694800-1764702000@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:IN PERSON: Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building
DESCRIPTION:Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building \nTuesdays\, Thursdays\, and Fridays \n5-7 PM PT \nIn person only \n  \nStarting the week of July 7th\, we now have the center open every Tuesday\, Thursday and Friday from 5-7pm. The first hour (5-6pm) will be for meditation in our temple or compassion room space or to peruse our library offerings. The second hour (6-6:45pm) will be for a fun social potluck in the kitchen space. Everyone is encouraged to bring something to share with the group. We hope this effort will build some momentum and energy for EBMC and bring more people in our community together in-person. \n  \nThese new community building hours are the same evenings as our Alphabet (Tuesdays 7pm)\, BIPOC (Thursdays 7pm) and Maha Sanghas (Fridays 7pm) so we hope this effort will also encourage people to join those groups with a hope to generate enough attendance to bring them back to in-person every week! This was also based on feedback from the survey. See more info about our Practice Groups here.  \n  \nThere are so many reasons to be in community right now and EBMC wants to support this by opening our space during these times to anyone who needs it. We are stronger when we are in solidarity together to meet the moment we are in. We hope to see you soon! Come practice. Come snack. Come as you are. Feel free to bring a friend! \n  \nPlease note: During these specific hours\, masks will be encouraged\, but not required. Again\, this is a pilot effort that we are trying in this one area based on survey responses\, with a goal of expanding our circle\, but as of now\, our masking policy remains the same for all other programming and events.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/gather-ground-compassionate-community-building-2/2025-12-02/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Only
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eastbaymeditation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gather-and-Ground-845-x-321-px_png.png
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251202T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251202T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20210710T180923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T193346Z
UID:10007385-1764702000-1764707400@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID: Alphabet Sangha
DESCRIPTION:A meditation group for the Lesbian\, Gay\, Bisexual\, Transgender\, Queer\, Intersex\, Same-Gender Loving\, and Two-Spirit communities. Because that’s such a mouthful\, we call ourselves the Alphabet Sangha. \nTuesdays\n7:00 – 8:30 pm \nHYBRID on First and Third Tuesdays of the month! Meet at EBMC or online. \nPlease email: alphabetsangha at eastbaymeditation dot org to request Zoom link to join online.  \nFor more information\, visit the ALPHABET SANGHA WEBSITE
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-alphabet-sangha-2-2022-12-27/2025-12-02/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251203T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251203T073000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20250107T181859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T181953Z
UID:10010430-1764745200-1764747000@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Kapwa Meditation for Filipinx/a/o Community
DESCRIPTION:We are happy to announce that a weekly Kapwa Meditation for Filipinx/a/o folks will begin on Wednesday\, Jan. 8\, from 7:00 to 7:30 AM Pacific Time. We will continue to gather every Wednesday morning\, coming together for support and practice\, on our paths of individual and collective transformation. \n  \nIn addition to our weekly meditation\, we would like to remind everyone of our monthly Kapwa Deep Refuge Group for Filipinx/a/o folks. Launched in the Spring of 2024\, we meet on the third Sunday of every month\, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Pacific Time. \nTogether\, in both spaces\, we aspire to cultivate a special community space in the intersection of Filipinx/a/o identity + culture + history and Buddhist spiritual practice. \nThe Zoom credentials are the same for both our weekly Wednesday meditation and our monthly gathering. \nIf you identify as Filipinx/a/o and would like to join\, please contact us at: kapwa.deep.refuge@gmail.com
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/kapwa-meditation-for-filipinx-a-o-community/2025-12-03/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251203T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251203T133500
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20231031T215537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250716T051937Z
UID:10009646-1764763200-1764768900@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID: Midday Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Join our peer-led multicultural sangha for silent meditation practice and community building. \nEvery Wednesday\n12:00 – 12:45pm PST   Silent sitting\, standing or lying down meditation with optional walking meditation. \n12:55 – 1:35pm PST   Facilitated conversation about our practice and being the dharma in the world \nHYBRID EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY\, ONLINE FOR OTHER MEETINGS (unless otherwise noted) \nMidday Sangha Coordinating Committee:\nemiko yoshikami\, Jennie Powe Runde\, Sakshi Uomoto\, Elese Lebsack and Robert Gavino \nemail middaysangha at eastbaymeditation dot org for zoom link and password 
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-midday-sangha-2024-10-23/2025-12-03/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251204T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251204T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251003T005221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T010114Z
UID:10010980-1764867600-1764874800@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:IN PERSON: Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building
DESCRIPTION:Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building \nTuesdays\, Thursdays\, and Fridays \n5-7 PM PT \nIn person only \n  \nStarting the week of July 7th\, we now have the center open every Tuesday\, Thursday and Friday from 5-7pm. The first hour (5-6pm) will be for meditation in our temple or compassion room space or to peruse our library offerings. The second hour (6-6:45pm) will be for a fun social potluck in the kitchen space. Everyone is encouraged to bring something to share with the group. We hope this effort will build some momentum and energy for EBMC and bring more people in our community together in-person. \n  \nThese new community building hours are the same evenings as our Alphabet (Tuesdays 7pm)\, BIPOC (Thursdays 7pm) and Maha Sanghas (Fridays 7pm) so we hope this effort will also encourage people to join those groups with a hope to generate enough attendance to bring them back to in-person every week! This was also based on feedback from the survey. See more info about our Practice Groups here. \n  \nThere are so many reasons to be in community right now and EBMC wants to support this by opening our space during these times to anyone who needs it. We are stronger when we are in solidarity together to meet the moment we are in. We hope to see you soon! Come practice. Come snack. Come as you are. Feel free to bring a friend! \n  \nPlease note: During these specific hours\, masks will be encouraged\, but not required. Again\, this is a pilot effort that we are trying in this one area based on survey responses\, with a goal of expanding our circle\, but as of now\, our masking policy remains the same for all other programming and events.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/in-person-gather-ground-compassionate-community-building-3-2/2025-12-04/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Only
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251204T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251204T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20240307T054636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250117T234824Z
UID:10010049-1764874800-1764880200@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID: BIPOC Sangha
DESCRIPTION:The BIPOC Sangha is a growing community of Black\, Indigenous\, and People of Color waking up and getting free! \nThursdays\n7 – 8:30 PM PT \n**Hybrid on First and Third Thursdays (online only on other Thursdays) \n**Potluck in the EBMC kitchen on the Third Thursday meeting\, from 6-7 PM PT! Bring a dish or beverage to share. \nClosed Captions Provided.  \nZoom info: Meeting details are shared through their mailing list (subscribe on their website)\, and their Facebook group.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-people-of-color-sangha-4/2025-12-04/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251003T010625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T073309Z
UID:10010968-1764954000-1764961200@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:IN PERSON: Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building
DESCRIPTION:Gather & Ground: Compassionate Community Building \nTuesdays\, Thursdays\, and Fridays \n5-7 PM PT \nIn person only \n  \nStarting the week of July 7th\, we now have the center open every Tuesday\, Thursday and Friday from 5-7pm. The first hour (5-6pm) will be for meditation in our temple or compassion room space or to peruse our library offerings. The second hour (6-6:45pm) will be for a fun social potluck in the kitchen space. Everyone is encouraged to bring something to share with the group. We hope this effort will build some momentum and energy for EBMC and bring more people in our community together in-person. \n  \nThese new community building hours are the same evenings as our Alphabet (Tuesdays 7pm)\, BIPOC (Thursdays 7pm) and Maha Sanghas (Fridays 7pm) so we hope this effort will also encourage people to join those groups with a hope to generate enough attendance to bring them back to in-person every week! This was also based on feedback from the survey. See more info about our Practice Groups here. \n  \nThere are so many reasons to be in community right now and EBMC wants to support this by opening our space during these times to anyone who needs it. We are stronger when we are in solidarity together to meet the moment we are in. We hope to see you soon! Come practice. Come snack. Come as you are. Feel free to bring a friend! \n  \nPlease note: During these specific hours\, masks will be encouraged\, but not required. Again\, this is a pilot effort that we are trying in this one area based on survey responses\, with a goal of expanding our circle\, but as of now\, our masking policy remains the same for all other programming and events.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/in-person-gather-ground-compassionate-community-building-2-2-2/2025-12-05/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Only
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20220108T015108Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230416T181311Z
UID:10009163-1764961200-1764966600@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Maha Sangha
DESCRIPTION:Maha Sangha for All People & Communities\nCreating Freedom in Community\nEvery Friday night\, 7:00 – 8:30pm. \nHybrid\, every 4th Friday of the month \nEvent Details: Meets weekly on zoom\, and starting to meet once a month in person\, email mahasangha at eastbaymeditation dot org for more info and get on our newsletter \nThe EBMC Maha Sangha for All People and Communities is a meditation and dharma group with an emphasis on radical inclusivity and social justice. \nMaha is a Pali word meaning whole\, great\, larger/largest\, deepest\, and Sangha is a Pali word for community\, or community of practitioners. Together\, these words represent a place where all people and communities are warmly invited to explore the Dharma together in keeping with East Bay Meditation Center’s core mission to foster liberation\, personal and interpersonal healing\, social action\, and inclusive community building. We hope that you will join us. \nThe EBMC Maha Sangha’s leadership team of teachers\, dharma leaders\, and sangha members includes: Arisika Razak\, Fresh! Lev White\,  Rebekah Eppley\, Sarwang Parikh and Shay. \nContact: mahasangha at eastbaymeditation org
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/maha-sangha/2025-12-05/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251206T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251206T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20200406T020139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T225121Z
UID:10006704-1765015200-1765020600@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: 8 Step Buddhist Recovery Deep Refuge
DESCRIPTION:Every Saturday from 10AM – 11:30AM PST / PDT ONLINE \nCompassionate Dharma Deep Refuge Buddhist meetings focus on ways to heal addiction. Based on the Eight Steps to Recovery developed by Dr. Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) and Dr Groves\, we believe this inclusive approach can build a solid foundation for those at any level of recovery and for those who have yet to seek help. \nThrough these practices we hope you gain a practice that can sustain you in your recovery. \nWe are a multi-recovery space. Whether you are navigating addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol\, or process addictions\, such as disordered eating\, codependency\, or sex and love addiction–you are welcome here. \nAdvance Registration is not required. \nFor additional information\, please contact: ebmcrecovery at gmail dot com.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/8-step-recovery/2025-12-06/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Online,Practice Groups
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=East Bay Meditation Center 285 17th Street Oakland CA 94612 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=285 17th Street:geo:-122.2660299,37.8050656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251206T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251206T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251112T232323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T232323Z
UID:10011052-1765015200-1765036800@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:Communal Grief Project for BIPOC\, Part 1 (rescheduled)
DESCRIPTION:Communal Grief Project for BIPOC\, Part 1 \nSaturday\, December 6th 2025 \n10 AM to 4 PM PT (Time Zone Converter) \nWith Mushim Ikeda and Damali Robertston \nOpen to BIPOC\, ages 18+ \nIn person only at EBMC’s NEW BUILDING (2406 Webster St\, Oakland CA) \nThe center is fragrance-free and wheelchair accessible \nN95/KN95 masks required \n  \nThis 2-part secular series\, open to BIPOC-identified folx\, offers a space for reflection and connection through communal listening circles and guided practices to help us move through grief\, with the support of a licensed therapist. Together\, we’ll look beyond grief related to death and explore how all forms of loss — from police violence and climate anxiety to threats against human rights and bodily autonomy shape our lives. \nNOTE: This program was the first of the two-part series and focuses on communal grief. We were unable to host it on the original date of October 13th\, so December 6th is the rescheduled date. The second part was already hosted on November 2nd. Participants from that day are welcome to join this one. \nThis listening circle is part of The Communal Grief Project\, a larger international project on grief in the U.S.\, Mexico\, and Tanzania. To participate you must be 18 years of older and be okay with a member of our team taking notes on the information shared during the listening circles. Information shared will be completely anonymous — your name and information will not be identifiable. We are gathering information about experiences with grief in order to develop communal grief practices to help heal ourselves and our communities. You can learn more about the project here: https://communalgriefproject.com/ \nThese daylongs will include breaks and an extended lunch period. Snacks and drinks will be provided but you are invited to bring a lunch. \n  \nNOTE: Space is limited to 25 attendees. Please sign up now to save your spot! \n  \n\n\n\n\nCost \nThe 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. \nThe ticket prices are listed as different tiers with suggested donations based on income ranges. For those who wish to give more\, you may choose an “add-on” to your ticket. For those unable to give\, there is an option for that. \nOther ways to give: \nTo make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center\, you may do so at bit.ly/ebmc-give 100% of our programming on a sliding scale and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds. \n  \nThank 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. \n  \nFor in-person participation: \nFor those wishing to practice in person\, space will be limited to 60 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: The teacher may be unmasked while teaching. \nTo 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. \nEast Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible. \n  \nPublic Transportation/Parking: \n– We strongly encourage public transportation/biking/walking since parking in the neighborhood is limited. Please avoid parking your car on the street in a metered space during this time as it will cause an interrupted retreat experience. There is an ACE parking structure on Webster St.\, right behind the YMCA. \n– EBMC is 5 blocks from 19th Street Bart (about a 7 minute walk). \n– EBMC has bike parking inside the center. \n– Please note that parking meters are enforced Monday – Saturday\, 8 am – 6 pm. \n \n\n\n\n\nTeachers\n \nMushim Patricia Ikeda is an internationally-known secular mindfulness and Buddhist teacher working primarily with justice activists and Black\, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) meditation practitioners. A core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland\, California\, she is an author whose writing has been published in Lion’s Roar\, Tricycle\, Buddhadharma and various anthologies. She is the founding and guiding teacher of EBMC’s Practice in Transformative Action\, a yearlong program that completed its tenth cohort in July 2023\, providing secular mindfulness training for justice activists and agents of change. Mushim was selected by Lion’s Roar Buddhist media magazine as one of twenty-six “Great Buddhist Teachers” in the January 2022 issue. If you would like to make a gift to our beloved teacher\, please do so via Venmo: @MushimPatricia-Ikeda or PayPal: info@mushimikeda.com \n \nDamali Robertson\, MA is a certified Resilience Toolkit facilitator\, trauma-informed leader\, and emerging filmmaker guided by three values: Love\, Liberation\, and Compassion. As a sought-after facilitator\, she recently co-facilitated a series of BIPOC grief retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She also co-facilitates a weekly forum about spirituality and social justice called Imagining Justice. As Director of Community Engagement at LifeLong Medical Care\, She has spent the last two years leading trauma-informed and human-centered work for more than 1\,000 staff and hundreds of community members. She is also currently making a film about faith and spirituality as pathways to collective liberation. Damali’s life and work are grounded in mindfulness practices\, spiritual principles\, and lived-commitments to equity\, justice and thriving. Damali holds BAs in Political Science and Literature from Africa and the Diaspora from Pitzer College\, an MA in Communications for Social and Behavior Change from the University of the West Indies\, Mona Campus\, and an MA in Social Justice and Community Organizing from Prescott College.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/communal-grief-project-for-bipoc-part-1-rescheduled/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes,In-Person Only
GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T103000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251117T224346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251206T062641Z
UID:10008518-1765098000-1765103400@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:ONLINE: Afrikan Healing and Wisdom
DESCRIPTION:ONLINE: Afrikan Healing and Wisdom \nWith Vimalasara Mason-John\, Arisika Razak\, and Aleta Toure’ \nFirst Sundays\, starting November 3rd 2024 \n9:00 – 10:30 AM PT \nClosed captioning provided over Zoom \n  \nDECEMBER 7TH: PREPARING FOR KWANZAA \nKwanzaa is a transformational time for deep reflection\, remembrance of the measure of African lineage wisdom\, and how to understand goodness that uplifts through the Swahili Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles). We ask you to join us online through East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC)with special Guest: Cuban Redd\, on Sunday\, December 7th at 9:00 am PT as we sit in deep reflection during this Kwanzaa sangha to celebrate and to reaffirm the vitality of life. Come contemplate deep critical issues (djaer) on a personal and social level through community rest and recommitment. Please bring a red\, black\, and green candle\, and Muhindi (corn). \nAnd please consider joining us for our Second\, In-Person Afrikan Healing and Wisdom Residential Retreat at Dhamma Dena Retreat Center in Joshua Tree California from February 5 – 8 2026. https://www.dhammadena.org/retreats/Afrikan-Wisdom-Retreat-Feb-2026 \n—— \nJoin us for EBMC’s first Black-led\, Black-Sangha Affinity group held on the first Sunday of every month starting on Sunday\, November 3rd\, 2024 from 9 AM till 10:30 AM. \nToday\, those of us living in the USA vibrate to the breath of our Ancestral North Star\, highest realm of guidance. Our ancestors are with us\, as we step into a seemingly repeated quantum leap of time\, during one of the most turbulent election seasons since the presidential election of 1876\, and the 1877 compromise which ended Reconstruction. We are in a sentinel moment\, echoing the situations described in Martin Luther King’s book\, “Why We Can’t Wait”. Like our Diasporan kinfolx\, we are questioning our common humanity\, as we see the age-old dream of peace\, and ecological balance distorted in the deep and seemingly bottomless pool of genocide\, war\, climate change\, ecological devastation\, poverty and global health pandemics.  \nJoin us as we bring a timely spoonful of Afrikana medicine to these challenging and difficult times. We’ll add ancestral healing traditions to the simple practice of the breath\, sharing meditations\, libations\, chanting and other embodied practices to remember our resilience\, honor our ancestors\, and support an inclusive and affirming community for all members of the Afrikan Diaspora.  \n  \nREGISTRATION LINKS – sign up now for current and future meetings! \nDecember 7th registration \n  \n  \nCOST\n\nHere 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. \nTo 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. \nPlease also consider giving a financial gift to our teachers as well\, who do not receive a salary for their work\, and give their teachings freely to all. In this way\, we practice sacred reciprocity between teachers and students. \nGiving Information: \nVENMO: @Arisika-Razak \nPAYPAL: arisikarazak@gmail.com \n(Please reference “Afrikan Healing & Wisdom” and the teachers will share the gifts with each other) \n\n  \n\nTEACHING TEAM \n \nVimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John is the author of the new revised edition of Detox Your Heart – Meditations For Emotional Trauma published by Wisdom books in 2017. She is co-author of the award-winning book Eight Step Recovery – Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction. She is a TEDx speaker and is the author of eight books including her award winning novel Borrowed Body. She is the curator of Teachings in Uncertain Times\, an online retreat by Teachers of Color for Tricycle Magazine February 2017. She is a leading African Canadian voice in the field of Mindfulness for Emotional Trauma and Addiction. \n\n \nArisika Razak\, MPH\, EBMC Core teacher\, is the former Chair of the Women’s Spirituality Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Previously a nurse-midwife\, her teachings incorporate diverse spiritual traditions\, women’s health and healing\, multicultural feminisms\, queer theory\, and diversity theory. Arisika has led national and international healing workshops and ritual celebrations for women for over three decades\, as well as embodied spiritual workshops for people of all genders. She has co-facilitated workshops with Marlene Jones at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and regularly leads workshops at EBMC. \n \nAleta Toure’ (Visiting Teacher) Aleta Toure’ bears witness as a vessel for social change through organizing\, education and healing arts. She centers healing in monastic lifestyle knowledge though Intentional Communities and Black cooperative movements. Her cooperative serves communities through Black Trauma Anonymous (BTA)\, Tai chi\, Ecstatic Healing Dance and Healing Responders. Aleta spends time within Peace Pagodas\, monasteries\, hermitages\, and dojos which have framed her work through Free Marissa Now\, “I am Troy Davis”\, University Without Walls and other Diasporic Movements. She leads the 2025 California Reparations Interfaith Healing Walk to bring healing\, theory and practice back as a Liberation tool.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/online-afrikan-wisdom-and-healing-2-2-2/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes,Online
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T213322
CREATED:20251029T050858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T022505Z
UID:10010994-1765128600-1765134000@eastbaymeditation.org
SUMMARY:IN PERSON: Toward a Just Yoga (Book Event)
DESCRIPTION:Toward a Just Yoga \nAnjali Sawhney in conversation with authors Anjali Rao and Thenmozhi Soundararajan \nFeaturing opening music from vocalist Deepti Warrier  \nSunday\, December 7th 2025 \n5:30-7:00pm PT \nIn-person at EBMC: 2406 Webster St.\, Oakland CA \n  \nMore than ever we need yoga spaces that offer solace\, community\, and healing\, that can cultivate capacity to hold complexity and disrupt ongoing and past oppressions. \nAs we look toward building these spaces\, we might consider the following questions: \nWhat does yoga have to do with caste\, gender\, and power? \nWhy is a feminist and a critical lens on yoga history relevant during these times? \nHow can we re-envision yoga spaces that are truly welcoming and liberatory for all? \nJoin Anjali Rao and Thenmozhi Soundararajan\, co-founder of Equality Labs\, for a generative discussion that explores these core questions from Anjali’s thought-provoking book\, Yoga As Embodied Resistance. This discussion sheds light on ways in which we can build authentic and embodied solidarities across differences. \nWe begin with a musical performance and a brief centering practice before diving in. The discussion will be followed by audience Q&A and a book signing\, and samosas and chai will be served before and after the event. Copies of Yoga as Embodied Resistance will also be available for purchase during the event\, courtesy of Womb House Books \nDo join us on December 7th: 5:30-7:00 pm! \n  \nPlease note the address for EBMC’s new space: \n2406 Webster St.\, Oakland\, CA \nDoors open 5:00pm\, event begins at 5:30pm \n  \nThis event will be in-person. Space is limited to the first 200 people who register. Registration does not require a donation\, but the offering of a financial contribution is deeply appreciated. People of all ages and abilities are absolutely welcomed. \nDonations are welcomed even if you’re unable to attend. \n  \nFor a list of our offerings and more information please visit our website at www.eastbaymeditation.org. \n  \nPresented in partnership with North Atlantic Books and Womb House Books. \n  \n \n  \nBIOGRAPHIES \n \nAnjali Rao brings an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens to the study of philosophy and yoga history integrating storytelling\, art and poetry. Emphasizing an embodied approach\, her work deconstructs the dynamics of caste\, gender\, nationalism and colonialism. She is on the faculty of multiple yoga teacher training programs. She is the host of The Love of Yoga podcast bridging scholarship\, activism and yoga. \nShe is currently pursuing a PhD in Philosophy and Religion in California Institute of Integral Studies.Her first book\, Yoga As Embodied Resistance: A Feminist Lens in Caste\, Gender And Sacred Resilience in Yoga History\, North Atlantic Books is available for order. \n \nThenmozhi Soundararajan\, a Dalit rights artist\, technologist\, and theorist. Currently\, Thenmozhi is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Equality Labs\, a Dalit Civil Rights organization that uses community research\, cultural and political organizing\, popular education and digital security to build power to end caste apartheid\, white supremacy\, gender based violence\, and religious intolerance. \nThrough her work across mediums she centers the voices of communities into the vital debates of our time. Her work has been recognized by the Producers Guild of America Diversity Program\, The Museum of Contemporary Art\, The Sorbonne\, Source Magazine\, Utne Reader\, The National Center for the Humanities\, The National Science Foundation\, and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. You can follow her work as a Robert Rauschenberg Artist as Activist Fellow and the Atlantic Foundation for Racial Equity. To learn more about her work around caste equity\, abolition\, and healing\, you can find her book\, The Trauma of Caste\, from North Atlantic Books. You can find her on twitter\, instagram\, and facebook at @dalitdiva and Equality Labs @equalitylabs. \n \nAnjali Sawhney (she/her/s) is a Certified Integral Life Coach and a trained international Leadership Embodiment Teacher (somatic coaching based on Aikido & Mindfulness). Anjali has coached & facilitated somatics & mindfulness workshops in the non-profit\, corporate\, and educational sectors including the Richmond Community Foundation\, California Endowment\, UCSF & City of San Francisco. Anjali also serves directly with untapped BIPOC students\, those unhoused\, and those in recovery by providing coaching\, counseling & series workshops through various non-profits as well as independently. She is currently on the EBMC Program Committee and Leadership Sangha (Board). She is passionate about rallying people through community & spirituality as well as street protests for equity & systemic change\, is in awe of nature & live music\, & on rare occasions is allowed to groove with her children\, Aanika and Jai. \n \nDeepti Warrier is a vocalist trained in the Indian classical musical tradition. She trained with Guru\, Dr. Sisirkana Dhar Choudhury in the Hindustani tradition. Deepti enjoys composing and singing ghazals\, and brings a deeply soothing melodic tone invoking visceral responses at all levels. She brings a range of vocal technique and emotion to all aspects of her artistry. She has performed and collaborated with classical dance and theater artistes in India\, Pakistan and the United States\, and is passionate about creating art that fosters conversation around social justice.
URL:https://eastbaymeditation.org/calendar/in-person-toward-a-just-yoga-book-event/
LOCATION:East Bay Meditation Center\, 285 17th Street\, Oakland\, CA\, 94612\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fundraising Events,In-Person Only
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GEO:37.8050656;-122.2660299
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