East Bay Meditation Center

Alphabet Sangha
2020-02-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-02-11 19:00 - 20:30, 2020-02-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
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

Embodying Karuna: Access Centered Yoga Class
2020-02-18 18:00 - 18:55, 2020-02-11 18:00 - 18:55, 2020-02-04 18:00 - 18:55
with Jess Dene Schlesinger
Karuna Flow is a Trauma-Informed and “Access-Centered” Yoga class— centering access for all bodies and minds. Connecting breath with movement, we will be invited to embody Karuna (compassion) for our complete selves, reminded that all bodies and minds are perfect and whole as is. Each class will focus on regulating our nervous systems, gentle alignment, connecting to the earth, developing resiliency, and embodying compassion for all living beings.
Drop In Format. No Advance Registration Required. Please Wear Comfortable, Fragrance Free Clothing.
Access Info:
-Wheelchair Accessible.
-Gender neutral restrooms.
-Fragrance Free. (This is a Fragrance-Free class. Please come unscented to protect those of us with environmental/chemical sensitivities.) Soap in the bathroom is fragrance free.
– There is not an ASL interpreter for the class. It may be possible to get an interpreter with prior request.
– Yoga mats, blocks, cushions, blankets, straps, provided. Chairs available.
– non-fluorescent lighting
Learn More.

Trust the Struggles: Making Peace with the Five Hindrances to Mindfulness
2020-02-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-02-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-02-03 19:00 - 21:00
with Melvin Escobar
Why’s it so hard to meditate!? This question is as old as the practice. Join us for this class series that gets to the root of our struggles: The Five Obstacles. We’ll learn ways to work with these “hindrances” guided by Buddhist teachings, contemporary psychological frameworks and an understanding of structural oppression. Through talks, interactive exercises, stationary and gentle moving meditation, and recommendations for home practice, participants will gain awareness on how to use each of the five obstacles as gateways to deepen our practice.
Attend some or all:
Week 1 – Doubt
Week 2 – Sloth + Torpor and Ill Will
Week 3 – Restlessness + Worry
Week 4 – Sensual Desire
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
2020-02-16 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-02-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-02-02 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, Mushim Ikeda and others.
For more info, visit the Every Body Every Mind Sangha Website.

Beginning Again: Introduction to Meditation
2020-02-16 10:00 - 17:00
with René Rivera and Louije Kim
We extend a special invitation to those who identity as non-binary, gender nonconforming and their allies.
Why meditate? In spite of humanity’s many differences, we all share a common wish to be happy. Yet, we often find ourselves tangled in bewilderment, stress, and disconnection. The Budda’s teachings and instructions for mindfulness meditation point to a way out of the bewilderment and grief toward a freedom and peace that is unassailable, beyond external conditions. This day of practice will introduce Buddhist mindfulness and heart practices with gentleness and an awareness of working with trauma. Come explore these beloved wisdom and compassion practices as a path to increased connection with ourselves and others.
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.

Nourishing Freedom: Finding the Middle Path to Body Liberation
2020-02-15 10:00 - 16:00
with Melvin Escobar and Marcella Raimondo
Radically accepting ourselves and our experiences is a revolutionary act. We receive many problematic messages about food that make it challenging to nourish ourselves. Our bodies, especially those of us living in larger bodies, continue to be subject to great harm and derision. By weaving the timeless Dharma with contemporary psychological frameworks, we will deconstruct aspects of structural oppression (including diet culture). We will be invited into somatic awareness practices, along with interactive and reflective exercises to explore kinder ways of relating to our bodies to create community on the middle path to body liberation for all.
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.

Kapwa Flow for Maha Sangha (Movement Class)
2020-02-14 18:00 - 18:45, 2020-02-07 18:00 - 18:45, 2020-01-31 18:00 - 18:45
Led by Jessy Zapanta
Kapwa means “togetherness” in Tagalog. Kapwa Flow invites you to embody what collective liberation might feel like, healing through self-care and energetic connection. Jessy will begin circle with a check in to support access needs and individual requests, followed by a grounding opening meditation. You will then be guided through a customized flow of trauma-releasing movements, self-focused bodywork, and stationary practices based on your personal capacity. Since class is dependent on the combined needs of participants, no two sessions are the same. All movements can be done sitting, lying down, or standing up. Friday practice is open to all bodies and minds with the intention of building Beloved Community.
Drop In Format. Please Dress Comfortably and Arrive Free of Fragrance / Scent.

ONLINE: People of Color Sangha
2020-02-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2020-02-06 19:30 - 21:00
The People of Color Sangha is a growing community of people of color waking up and getting free!
Thursdays
7:30 – 9 PM PST
Closed Captions Provided.
Zoom info: Meeting details are shared through their mailing list (subscribe on their website), and their Facebook group.

People of Color Sangha
2020-02-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-02-06 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

ONLINE: People of Color Yoga
2020-02-13 17:45 - 18:45, 2020-02-06 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.

Teen Circle
2020-02-12 19:00 - 20:45, 2020-02-05 19:00 - 20:45
with Raul Betancourt, Sarwang Parikh, Sara Oakes, Louije Kim and Anthony “T” Maes
EBMC Teen Circle is a weekly meditation group for teens, ages 14-19
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.
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.

Buddha’s 4 Big Truths: Liberation from Suffering
2020-02-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2020-02-05 18:30 - 20:30
A four class series with Mushim Ikeda
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.
Part of EBMC’s Core Buddhist Teachings: 5-month Curriculum
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.

Midday Sangha
2020-02-12 12:00 - 13:35, 2020-02-05 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:
Bang Nguyen, Darren Lee Brown, emiko yoshikami, Karen Jackson, Marge Sussman and Yvette Flores

Family Practice Class: Opening the Heart through the Buddha's Teachings
2020-02-09 10:00 - 12:00
with Eve Decker, Keisha Turner, Baruch Golden, Lev White, Jessy Zapanta, Julie Goeshe and Vickie Chang
For Children Ages 0-13 and Family / Caregivers
We invite you to come and be a part of the diverse family sangha at EBMC. We welcome families with babies, toddlers, and children up to age 12. Children under 5 will need to have a parent/caregiver stay with them. We gather to create a safe refuge to share the joys and the challenges of parenting by cultivating loving kindness, compassion, patience and generosity with the support of the sangha. It is a wonderful opportunity to have family time without digital distractions and to learn mindful practices for the whole family. Parents/caregivers and children meet together and sometimes separately during the class. Families with children under the age of 5 meet in a mindful playgroup. We are committed to creating a diverse family sangha, all families are welcomed. No prior experience is necessary.
Please note, each family only needs one registration. Thank You!

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.
