East Bay Meditation Center

ONLINE: Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
2022-11-28 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
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: Parents Meditation Group with Lisa Fujie Parks
2022-11-28 20:45 - 21:45 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
An Online Meditation Group for Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers
Monday, November 28th 8:45PM – 9:45PM PST
with Lisa Fujie Parks
Closed Captioning Provided.
EBMC’s Family Practice Class teaching team will be offering a monthly parents’ meditation group for restoration, support and connection during these challenging times. We will offer a short talk, guided meditation and sharing. We welcome all parents/grandparents/caregivers of young people to join us. No prior experience is necessary.
Please note: This group is not intended for children’s participation.

Please note: Registered participants will receive a zoom link to join us online with their EventBrite confirmation email. Thank you for your support.

ONLINE: Alphabet Sangha with Rev. Daigan Gaither
2022-11-29 19:00 - 20:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Tuesday, November 29th Teacher: Rev. Daigan Gaither
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
Please email: alphabetsangha at eastbaymeditation dot org to request Zoom link to join online.
For more information, visit the ALPHABET SANGHA WEBSITE

Finding Liberation in Relationship
2022-11-30 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-12-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2022-12-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Finding Liberation in Relationship: Accountability, Conflict, Boundaries and Feedback
with Dawn Haney and René Rivera
4 Wednesdays evenings: November 30, December 7, 14, 21
6:30-8:30 pm PT (Time Zone Converter)
ASL Interpretation and Closed Captioning Provided
In this time of so much conflict, division 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. We will practice feedback, boundaries, 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 we will build resource and resilience and create space to be our most authentic selves.
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100% of our programming is sliding scale and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds. Thank 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. You are invited to make donations directly to the teachers to support their Dharma service.

ONLINE: People of Color Sangha
2022-12-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-15 19:30 - 21:00 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
The People of Color Sangha is a growing community of people of color waking up and getting free!
Thursdays
7:30 – 9:00 PM PST
Closed Captions Provided.
Zoom info: Meeting details are shared through their mailing list (subscribe on their website), and their Facebook group.

ONLINE: People of Color Sangha
2022-12-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-15 19:30 - 21:00 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
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.

ONLINE: Maha Sangha with Arisika Razak and Ramona Lisa-Ortiz Smith
2022-12-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2022-12-09 19:00 - 20:30, 2022-12-16 19:00 - 20:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Friday, January 7th Teachers: Arisika Razak and Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith
Maha Sangha for All People & Communities
Creating Freedom in Community
Every Friday night at EBMC, 7:00 – 8:30pm.
Zoom Info: email mahasangha at eastbaymeditation dot org to ask for a Zoom link.
The EBMC Maha Sangha for All People and Communities is a meditation and dharma group with an emphasis on radical inclusivity and social justice.
Maha 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.
The EBMC Maha Sangha’s leadership team of teachers, dharma leaders, and sangha members includes: Arisika Razak, Baruch Golden, Chinh Nguyen, Crystal Johnson, Fresh! Lev White, Jd Doyle, Lisa Moore, Shahara Godfrey, Syra Smith, Shay, and Anni Mackin.
Contact: mahasangha at eastbaymeditation org

ONLINE: Maha Sangha
2022-12-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2022-12-09 19:00 - 20:30, 2022-12-16 19:00 - 20:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Maha Sangha for All People & Communities
Creating Freedom in Community
Every Friday night, 7:00 – 8:30pm.
Hybrid, every 4th Friday of the month
Event 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
The EBMC Maha Sangha for All People and Communities is a meditation and dharma group with an emphasis on radical inclusivity and social justice.
Maha 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.
The 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.
Contact: mahasangha at eastbaymeditation org

Every Body Every Mind Sangha
2022-12-04 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-12-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-12-18 18:00 - 19:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
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

ONLINE WITH SPECIAL HYBRID DATES
March 23rd 2025 with Arisika Razak
April 20th 2025 with Anne Finger
May 18th 2025 with Mushim Ikeda
June 22nd 2025 with Anne Finger
No registration needed to attend these meetings in person. More hybrid dates may be announced in the future.

To join online, please email: ebem at eastbaymeditation dot org to request a Zoom link.
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!
EveryBody, EveryMind Teacher Group: Debra Kerr, Kenji Oshima, Anne Finger, Master John W. Ellis IV, Beth Smith, Mushim Ikeda, Victor Jih, & Zac Krohn
For more info, visit the Every Body Every Mind Sangha Website.

ONLINE: Alphabet Sangha
2022-12-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2022-12-13 19:00 - 20:30 | 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
Please email: alphabetsangha at eastbaymeditation dot org to request Zoom link to join online.
For more information, visit the ALPHABET SANGHA WEBSITE

ONLINE: 8 Step Buddhist Recovery Deep Refuge
2022-12-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2022-12-17 10:00 - 11:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Every Saturday from 10AM – 11:30AM PST / PDT ONLINE
Compassionate 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.
Through these practices we hope you gain a practice that can sustain you in your recovery.
We 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.
Advance Registration is not required.
For additional information, please contact: ebmcrecovery at gmail dot com.

ONLINE: Cultivating Home in Our Hearts
2022-12-10 10:00 - 16:00 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Cultivating Home in Our Hearts: A daylong for adult adoptees and fostered, or child welfare system survivors

With Fresh “Lev” White, Sean Feit Oakes, Phoenix Song

Saturday December 10th 2022
10AM – 4PM PT (Time Zone Converter)
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 the wounds and potential gifts of adoption, and practices to support self-love, compassion, and the cultivation of deep refuge in the world.
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. Please have food, drink, or other comfort items available as needed.

ONLINE: Multiracial Peer-Led Deep Refuge Group
2022-12-10 19:00 - 21:00 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
The Multiracial Deep Refuge Group is a monthly exploratory Deep Refuge Group for and by people who identify as multiracial. Our meetings include periods of mindfulness meditation and sharing of narratives and perspectives as we come together to be seen and to see one another. By sitting and exploring our own unique stories, we can come to know and care for the common threads that bind us together. Our collective work bravely expands the narrative that informs multiracial experience today. Meets 7pm-9pm on the second Saturdays of every month. Online and occasionally hybrid (in-person at EBMC + online).
Newcomers welcome- please contact us before your first visit: mrdrcoordinators at googlegroups dot com

ONLINE: Social Justice Lunchtime Sangha - Peer Led Deep Refuge group
2022-12-13 12:00 - 13:00 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Social Justice Sangha is a place to practice and reflect with #EBMCOakland organizers and activists. Includes a 30 minute meditation and time for sharing what’s on our hearts.

Contact: socialjustice at eastbaymeditation dot org

ONLINE: Sex Workers Sangha (Peer Led Deep Refuge Group)
2022-12-13 15:00 - 16:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Meets 2nd Tuesdays of Every Month, 3:00 – 4:30PM PT via Zoom.
Closed Captions Available.
The purpose of this refuge group is to provide a space for sex workers to connect with each other, build sangha, and to deepen our spiritual practices in community. Sex workers continue to be a marginalized group in society and this sangha would be a place where we would support each other in bringing our whole selves into our spiritual lives.
For Zoom Access, Please Email: sexworkersangha AT eastbaymeditation DOT org

HYBRID: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows
2022-12-18 10:00 - 16:30 | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
Hybrid daylong with EBMC
Online on Zoom and in-person @ 285 17th St, Oakland, CA 94612
With Mushim Ikeda
Sunday, December 18, 2022
10:00 am – 4:30 pm Pacific time (Time Zone Converter)
Closed Captioning provided on Zoom

This hybrid event is a morning of meditation (instruction provided for beginners) and Bodhisattva practices, followed by an afternoon ceremony, where approved applicants will receive the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts, the Four Great Vows of the Bodhisattva, and a Dharma or Buddhist name.
Priority for in-person attendance is given to those receiving the Vows and Precepts, specifically those who have completed at least one of the preceding class series, Path of the Bodhisattva 1 (4 classes, October 2022) and Path of the Bodhisattva 2 (4 classes, November 2022) and who have submitted an application and received approval from the teacher.
Friends and family members of people receiving the Vows and Precepts are welcome to join on Zoom, for the joyful ceremony, which will run from 2:15 to 4 pm Pacific time, and can register here.
Questions: Email admin@eastbaymeditation.org or click “contact us” on the EBMC website, www.eastbaymeditation.org

Please note: Registered participants will receive a zoom link to join us online with their Eventbrite confirmation email. Thank you for your support
For those wishing to practice in person, space will be limited to 40 people to allow ample space for social distancing. Participants will be asked to wear N95 or KN95 face masks and be fully vaccinated against covid19, which at this time means having received the covid bivalent booster no less than two weeks before the event. (N95 face masks will be available at EBMC.)

To 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 HERE.
East Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible.
Cost: The 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
To offer a gift to support the teachings, please do so Venmo: Mushim Ikeda @MushimPatricia-Ikeda or PayPal: info@mushimikeda.com
To make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center, please 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. Thank 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.
