East Bay Meditation Center

Buddha’s 4 Big Truths: Liberation from Suffering
2019-02-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-02-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-02-27 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
with Mushim Ikeda
Wednesday’s Feb 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th 6:30 – 8:30PM
Part of EBMC’s Core Buddhist Teachings: 5-month Curriculum
Why do we suffer? How can we be released from suffering? The Buddha’s first teaching after his Enlightenment is called the Four Truths for Noble Ones. These form the foundation of Buddhist life and understanding. The four “big” truths address human suffering and oppression, analyze their root causes, and describe a path of liberation from human suffering that is both profound and practical. Dharma talks, interactive exercises, journaling, meditation and optional readings. Beginners in meditation are welcome.
Space is limited and registration is requested. Register HERE
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Teen Sangha: Winter Session
2019-02-13 19:00 - 20:45, 2019-02-20 19:00 - 20:45, 2019-02-27 19:00 - 20:45
EBMC Teen Sangha
Winter 2019
Wednesdays, January 2nd to March 27th 7:00 pm – 8:45PM pm
EBMC Teen Sangha is a weekly meditation group for teens, ages 14-19
Led by Anthony Maes, Raul Betancourt, Louije Kim and Sarwang Parikh
Our focus is on creating deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, having fun, getting real and supporting each other. Learn mindfulness meditation and explore the dharma (Buddhist teachings) in creative experiential ways. No experience necessary. We are committed to maintaining a sangha (community) that is welcoming to people of all identities, cultures and backgrounds.
Registration: Registration is required and space is limited. Click HERE to register.
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

People of Color Yoga
2019-02-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2019-02-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2019-02-28 18:00 - 19:00
Weekly Yoga Practice for Self Identified People of Color led by Satya de la Paz
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Build strength and flexibility while cultivating mindfulness in this all levels hatha yoga class. Each class has a unique, inspiring theme and personalized instruction that will leave you feeling joyous and rejuvenated.
No registration required. No mat or special clothes required.

People of Color Sangha
2019-02-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-02-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-02-28 19:00 - 21:00
The People of Color Sangha is a growing tribe of people of color waking up and getting free!
Thursdays
7:00 – 9:00 PM
For more information, visit the: POC SANGHA WEBSITE

Dharma in Motion - Embodying Heart Qualities through Tai Chi Chih
2019-02-15 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-02-22 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-03-01 18:00 - 18:50
with Jenn Biehn
DROP IN FORMAT, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
Please wear clothing that allows for gentle movement.
A form of qigong, Tai Chi Chih circulates, balances, and gathers the chi or energy of the body. In this class, we will embody heart qualities including lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity through easy-to-learn, accessed-centered Tai Chi Chih movements. Embodying heart qualities through mindful movement helps ground and strengthen these qualities. Qigong stretches will be practiced at the beginning of each class to prepare the body heart mind for this moving meditation.

What's Race, Skin Color, Gender and Sexuality Got To Do with Non-Self?
2019-02-16 09:30 - 16:30
with Dr. Vimalasara Valerie Mason – John and Shahara Godfrey
Open to Self Identified People of Color
This is a day for us to come together as People of Color to explore one of the seminal text in the Buddhist teachings -‘ Non-Self’. Paraphrasing the late Pat Parker – she once wrote ‘first you remember I’m a person of color and second you forget I’m a person of color’. What would it be like to be free from all our labels and not attached to the identities we give ourselves and identities forced upon us? Join senior teachers Shahara Godfrey – Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John for a day of meditation, dharma talks and compassionate inquiry.
Space is limited and registration is requested. Register HERE
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Regional Buddhist Recovery Summit: Let's Talk about 12 Step Programs and Buddhist Recovery
2019-02-17 09:30 - 17:00
with Dr. Vimalasara Valerie Mason – John and Shahara Godfrey and Guest Speakers
The daylong will include two panels including speakers from the 12-step, Buddhist Recovery and mindfulness communities. Speakers will discuss the relationship between Buddhist Recovery and 12-step programs, and also discuss what does the World need in the midst of the current addiction crisis. There will be an opportunity to attend a recovery meeting in the morning at 9:30am prompt.
Guest Speakers:
Father Tom – 12 step Programs
Enrique Collazo – Refuge Recovery
Laura Burges – San Francisco Zen Center
Dr. Vimalasara Mason-John – 8 Step Recovery
George Gomez – Heart of Recovery
Kevin Griffin – Buddhism & 12 Steps
Steve Tierney – San Francisco Zen Centre
Augusta Hopkins – Mindfulness Coach
Panels hosted by Shahara Godfrey and Walt Opie
Space is limited and registration is requested. REGISTER HERE
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Every Body Every Mind Sangha
2019-02-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2019-02-24 18:00 - 19:30
Every Body Every Mind Sangha is a weekly practice group for people living with disabilities, limitations, differences and chronic illnesses.
Sundays
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Please 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!
Teachers include Charlie Johnson, Deb Kerr and others.
For more info, visit the Every Body Every Mind Sangha Website.

Trust the Struggles: Making Peace with the Five Hindrances to Mindfulness
2019-02-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-02-25 19:00 - 21:00
Open to all
with Melvin Escobar
This class series will explore The Five Obstacles (Hindrances) to mindfulness meditation and ways to work with them. Buddhist teachings will be interwoven with contemporary psychological frameworks and informed by an understanding of structural oppression. Through talks, interactive exercises, stationary and gentle moving meditation, and recommendations for home practice, participants will gain awareness and how to use them as gateways to deepen our practice.
Attend some or all:
Feb 4th: Doubt
Feb 11th: Sloth + Torpor
Feb 18th: Restlessness + Worry
Feb 25th: Sensual Desire and Ill Will
Space is limited and registration is requested. REGISTER HERE
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Dharma in Motion - Access Stillness in the Midst of Activity
2019-02-19 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-02-26 18:00 - 18:50
T’ai Chi Chih – Joy through Movement
with Paul Ciske
Dharma in Motion Class, Tuesdays 6-6:50
February 5 – March 26
T’ai Chi Chih® is a moving meditation consisting of 20 easy-to-learn, accessible movements. A form of qigong, T’ai Chi Chih® circulates and balances the chi or energy of the body with the intention of bringing stillness and calm to the heart mind in the midst of activity. There are variations for standing, sitting, and lying down. Please come fragrance free.
For the past 25 years, Paul has taught and practiced Tai Chi Chih (TCC) – Joy through Movement. His profession revolves around the body as a neurologic body worker, movement trainer and coach, and Conscious Embodiment facilitator. Paul was the original host of Larry Yang’s LGBTQ East Bay sitting group before EBMC existed and is a long-time member of Alphabet Sangha.

Alphabet Sangha
2019-02-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2019-02-26 19:00 - 20:30
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.
Tuesdays
7:00 – 8:30 pm
For more information, visit the ALPHABET SANGHA WEBSITE

Midday Sangha
2019-02-20 12:00 - 13:35, 2019-02-27 12:00 - 13:35
Midday Sangha at EBMC Wednesdays at Noon!
Join our peer-led multicultural sangha for silent meditation practice and community building.
Every Wednesday
12:00 – 12:45 Silent sitting, standing or lying down meditation with optional walking meditation.
12:45 – 1:35 Potluck lunch with facilitated conversation about our practice and being the dharma in the world
Midday Sangha Coordinating Committee:
Abe Doherty, Jenn Biehn, Kam McCallum, Karen Jackson, Manuel Vasquez, Preston Justice, Shawki, Yvette Flores

ONLINE: Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
2019-02-25 18:30 - 20:00
Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
Fourth Mondays (online over zoom)
6:30-8pm PM PST
This 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!
To 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!

ONLINE: People of Color Yoga
2019-02-28 17:45 - 18:45
Weekly Yoga Practice for Self Identified People of Color led by Satya de la Paz
5:45PM – 6:45PM
Build strength and flexibility while cultivating mindfulness in this all levels hatha yoga class. Each class has a unique, inspiring theme and personalized instruction that will leave you feeling joyous and rejuvenated.
To donate to the Teacher via Venmo use ID: @satyabodyworks
To donate to EBMC click HERE.

Queer (LGBTQIA2+) Resilience Daylong: Get your Heart On!
2019-03-02 10:00 - 17:00
with JD Doyle and Patrick Brown
Join us for a day of practice in LGBTQIA2+ space to connect and learn tools to support building resilience for ourselves and our communities. In these tough times, learning how to interrupt the reactive mind and learn ways to nourish ourselves, is essential for our well being and to support the healing of ongoing, intergenerational traumas. This day will include silent meditation (mindfulness and heart practices), as well as interactive small group activities and reflective journal writing.
Space is limited and registration is requested. REGISTER HERE
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.
