East Bay Meditation Center

Tai Chi Chih – Joy through Movement
2019-10-15 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-10-22 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-10-29 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-11-05 18:00 - 18:50 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Join us for Alphabet Dharma in Motion
Tai Chi Chih – Joy through Movement
with Jenn Biehn, EBMC Tai Chi Chih teacher
Drop In Format, No Pre-Registration Required.
A form of qigong, Tai Chi Chih is a moving meditation consisting of 20 easy-to-learn, access-centered movements. Tai Chi circulates, balances, and gathers the chi or energy of the body bringing stillness and calm to the heart mind. Practiced with softness and continuity, these flowing movements can release tension, negativity and stress leading to a sense of wholeness. Qigong stretches will be practiced at the beginning of each class to prepare for this moving meditation.
A Buddha Dharma Sangha practitioner and Tai Chi Chih teacher for the past 30 years, Jenn Biehn loves including embodied awareness and healing movement as part of sangha building. She has taught and practiced Tai Chi Chih (TCC) – Joy through Movement at City College of SF and to those healing from trauma in several community-based organizations. An EBMC volunteer for the past 10 years, Jenn is a member of Alphabet Sangha, Midday Sangha Coordinating Committee and Restorative Practices for Dharma Practitioners.

Alphabet Sangha
2019-10-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2019-10-22 19:00 - 20:30, 2019-10-29 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
2019-10-16 12:00 - 13:35, 2019-10-23 12:00 - 13:35, 2019-10-30 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

Path of the Bodhisattva I & Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony
2019-10-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-10-23 18:30 - 20:30
with Mushim Ikeda
4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 1, Weds, Oct 2 – 23, 6:30 – 8:30pm
4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 2, Weds, Oct 30 – Nov 20, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows, Dec 14, 10am – 4:30pm
*Separate registration is needed for each part of the Path of the Bodhisattva class series (Part I, Part II + Precepts Ceremony). Participants interested in receiving the Bodhisattva Vows in Dec are required to take Part I + II of the class series.
I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the second time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.
Space is limited and registration is requested.

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.

ONLINE: People of Color Yoga
2019-10-17 17:45 - 18:45, 2019-10-24 17:45 - 18:45, 2019-10-31 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.

People of Color Sangha
2019-10-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-10-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-10-31 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

Mindful Yoga and Loving Awareness
2019-10-18 18:00 - 18:50, 2019-10-25 18:00 - 18:50
Reconnect and rejuvenate through the cultivation of mindfulness and loving awareness. Deepen your practice by going inward and focusing the mind/heart on the present moment. We will devote time to mindful movement to support the release of accumulated tension in order to identify and release body-held stressors through practices of trauma-informed body kindness. Join a nurturing space to boost your mindfulness practice and cultivate loving awareness for yourself and for all beings.
DROP IN FORMAT. PLEASE WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING.
JONATHAN RELUCIO
For nearly a decade, Jonathan Relucio taught trauma-informed yoga and meditation in schools, health clinics and juvenile detention facilities as a Senior Trainer for Niroga Institute. He has completed Spirit Rock’s Mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation program, co-founded AllThriveEd.org, and supports personal and social transformation through his work at Rockwood Leadership Institute. Jonathan values yoga as a healing practice of liberation to strengthen communities and social justice movements.

For People of Color: Beginning a Meditation Practice
2019-10-19 10:00 - 16:30
with Mushim Ikeda
As self-identified people of color, we will practice creating beloved community to support each other’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Are you looking for a way to start a mindfulness meditation practice, but don’t quite know how? This one-day workshop will give you the basics of stationary (sitting or lying down) and walking/movement meditation in the vipassana (insight) style, plus metta (goodwill or loving kindness) meditation. Don’t worry about “getting it right” – if you can sit – on a folding chair, on floor cushions, in a wheelchair – or lie down – and breathe, you’re off to a good start! For those seeking stress reduction.
Space is limited and registration is requested.

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.

The Power of Nonconceptual Timeless Awareness in Understanding our Conditioning
2019-10-20 10:00 - 16:00
with Margarita Loinaz
At the core of our being is a nonconceptual timeless awareness that recognizes itself. The wisdom that arises from this ground of being provides an unparalleled perspective to understand how we are conditioned. Our perception and sense of possibilities is heavily determined by the cultural narratives we live under. Where we are within the cultural context adds yet another layer that can further limit our possibilities for freedom. In this daylong, we will use meditations that reconnect us to that non conceptual ground, dharma talks and interactive exercises. The understanding gained brings greater compassion and the capacity to meet the challenges we face.
Please bring your lunch so that there is more continuity of awareness throughout the day.
Space is limited and registration is requested.

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
2019-10-20 18:00 - 19:30, 2019-10-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2019-11-03 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.

Latinx Meditation (Deep Refuge)
2019-10-26 10:30 - 12:30
Tendramos una meditación, tiempo para convivir/hablar sobre un tema budista, y si traen comida, un almuerzo informal/potluck.

No se requiere registro! Drop In’s welcome!

ONLINE: Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
2019-10-28 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!

Path of the Bodhisattva 2 & Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony
2019-10-30 18:30 - 20:30
with Mushim Ikeda
4 class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 2, Weds, Oct 30 – Nov 20, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows, Dec 14, 10am – 4:30pm
*Separate registration is needed for each part of the Path of the Bodhisattva class series (Part I, Part II + Precepts Ceremony). Participants interested in receiving the Bodhisattva Vows in Dec are required to take Part I + II of the class series.
I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the second time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.
Space is limited and registration is requested.

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.

Cultivating Home in Our Hearts
2019-11-02 09:00 - 16:00
A day of Mindfulness and Inquiry for Adult Adoptees, Fostered and/or Child Welfare System Survivors Exclusively
with Dr. Sean Feit Oakes and Fresh “Lev” White
This class is for us who experienced separation from birth families at early ages to explore the heart of the Buddha’s teachings: that pain and loss are built into life and are the seeds of wisdom and liberation. We’ll explore our experiences of family rupture; discuss tools for cultivating self-love, compassion, and the possibility of home in ourselves as a deep refuge.
All adult (18+) adoptees, formerly foster home or system youth, and any adult who were forced/separated from their birth family at young ages are welcome. Providers or family members will be given a separate opportunity to participate.
Space is limited and registration is encouraged.

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.

Love: Supported by the Four Divine States
2019-11-04 18:30 - 20:30
Open to All expressions of love: friends, partners, siblings, parent/child, roommates, etc.
with Rev. Liên Shutt
Co-Sponsored by Access To Zen

We all want love.
And, having and holding love and loving feelings can be challenging. Join us in exploring how love can be when expressed in conjunction with the qualities of the Four Divine States of Equanimity, Kindness, Compassion, and Inclusive Joy.
While grounded in these teachings and meditation practices, the course will also be framed by readings from bell hook’s All About Love: New Visions; offering a blend of fierce feminist social criticism to ask us to transform our challenges into strength, manifesting the love and caring we want in our lives here and now.

Space is limited and registration is requested.

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.
