Opening the Heart Through the Buddha's Teachings: Family Practice
2018-11-11 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
with Keisha Turner and Shahara Godfrey
Assisted by Julie Goshe
We invite you to come and help create the diverse family sangha at EBMC. We welcome families with babies, toddlers, and children up to age 13. Children under 5 will need to have a parent/caregiver stay with them.
This class features training on “Family Tea Time” and how mindful practices can bind the family together. We will also explore how meditation and meditative movement can contribute to successful family life. Parents/caregivers and young people will meet together and separately during the class. We are committed to creating a diverse family sangha. No prior experience is necessary.
Please bring a snack (without nuts) to share.

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
2018-11-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2018-11-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2018-11-25 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.

Dharma in Motion: Embodying Metta
2018-11-13 18:00 - 18:50, 2018-11-20 18:00 - 18:50, 2018-11-27 18:00 - 18:50
Embodying Metta: Yoga with Jess Dene Schlesinger
Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 6:50 pm / October 2 – November 27

Embodying Metta is a Trauma-Informed and Access-Centered Yoga class— invitational, consensual, and variations for differing abilities and access need are offered. Connecting breath with movement, we will work on developing lovingkindness for our complete selves, reminded that all bodies and minds are perfect and whole as is. Each class will focus on the accessing the vagus nerve (closely tied to our sympathetic nervous systems), gentle alignment, and embodying resiliency and lovingkindness.
Dharma in Motion is a weekly offering of access-centered movement practices for all ages and abilities. Teachers and modalities will rotate every 5-6 weeks. Drop in format, no experience necessary. Please wear clothing that allows for gentle movement.
Jess Dene Schlesinger began practicing yoga and meditation 17 years ago but found that most classes she attended were not accessible for her needs. With the support of Disability Justice activists, she created Access-Centered Movement, a trauma-informed framework that attempts to dismantle the hierarchy of bodies and minds. She uses her vast knowledge of physical therapy and holistic health, her lived experience as a disabled queer, and her intuitive and empathetic abilities to offer relief for trauma and pain. Aware that the ancestors of the spiritual traditions she practices are not her own, she is committed to decolonizing her practice and works to organize anti-racist white yoga teachers to do the same.

Alphabet Sangha
2018-11-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-11-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-11-27 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
2018-11-14 12:00 - 13:35, 2018-11-21 12:00 - 13:35, 2018-11-28 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

Teen Sangha: Fall Session
2018-11-14 19:00 - 20:45, 2018-11-21 19:00 - 20:45, 2018-11-28 19:00 - 20:45
EBMC Teen Sangha
Fall 2018
Wednesdays, September 5th to December 5th 7:00 pm – 8:45PM pm
EBMC Teen Sangha is a weekly meditation group for teens, ages 14-19
Led by Syra Smith, Nirali Shah, Anthony Maes, Raul Betancourt 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
2018-11-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2018-11-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2018-11-29 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
2018-11-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-11-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-11-29 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: Restorative Yoga
2018-11-16 18:00 - 18:45, 2018-11-23 18:00 - 18:45, 2018-11-30 18:00 - 18:45
Restorative Yoga is a system of supported poses designed to calm the nervous system completely, inviting a state of deep relaxation. Students rest and restore themselves mentally and physically from the fast and ongoing demands of modern life. During the class, we unwind completely and allow ourselves to drift on the continuum between wakefulness and sleep. This is a class for anyone in need of a rest, including beginners to yoga and people with injuries and illness. Multiple expressions of each pose will be offered and participants are invited to practice lying down, seated, or standing, according to their own body wisdom and access needs.
Satya de la Paz offers Yoga as a means of collective and personal liberation and decolonization: accessing our innate healing capacity through therapeutics and compassion, meeting media-driven body shame through mindfulness and affirmation, freeing the heart of resentment and blame, and healing the mind of patriarchal ways of moving and acting. Satya is deeply grateful for her mentor, Abby Tucker, as well as all of her dharma and movement teachers, Sally Kempton, Rob Preece, and Sianna Sherman. Drawing from the traditions of Anusara Yoga, Buddhism, and Tantra, she empowers students to mindfully and compassionately while exploring their edge.
No Advance Registration Required, Drop In Only

Got FOMO? The Contentment of Renunciation
2018-11-18 10:00 - 16:30
A daylong retreat open to all
with Mushim Ikeda
Do you have Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)? If you commit to making progress in your meditation practice, what about the vacation you could be taking, the movies you could be watching, or the parties you could be going to? Because modern life involves constant stimulation to do, see, and buy things, how can we experience “nekkhamma,” the pleasure of renunciation? Meditation, interactive exercises, Dharma talks, and discussion.
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.

Compassionate Dharma Deep Refuge: 8 Step Recovery Buddhist Meeting
2018-11-24 13:00 - 15:00
The last Saturday of every month at EBMC, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Beginning Saturday, February 24th, 2018, and continuing on the last Saturday of every month, EBMC offers a Recovery, Deep Refuge Buddhist meeting with a 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.
Through these practices we hope you gain a practice that can sustain you in your recovery.

We ask that you attend sober on the day with respect for others that may be active in recovery. Open to all in Recovery.

Advance Registration is not required.
For additional information, please contact:
Shahara Godfrey slgvibing@earthlink.net

ONLINE: Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
2018-11-26 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!

Practicing Well-Being in Illness and Disability
2018-12-01 10:00 - 16:00
Spiritual Tools for Nurturance and Ease
Open to people living with disabilities, limitations, differences and chronic illnesses
with Shahara Godfrey and Deb Kerr
When facing health challenges, differences or disabilities, how can we find well-being? This class will look at ways to cultivate ease and nurturance with mindfulness and compassion practices. We’ll be using stationary and moving meditation, interactive and reflective exercises to explore how we might invite and experience well-being, in the midst of whatever challenges we face.
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.

Getting Back in Charge: Mindfulness-based Skills for People with Depression
2018-12-02 10:00 - 16:00
with Mushim Ikeda and Kitsy Schoen
Mindfulness-based practices can help put a spacer between us and the negative symptoms of depression. With that bit of breathing room, we can begin to make small changes that, when practiced over time, can help manage downward mood swings and negative thinking. This introductory workshop will include mindfulness meditation with guidance, information-packed talks, skill-building exercises, and a supportive community environment to get you started in these helpful practices.
Open to anyone with depression.
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.
