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Statement from East Bay Meditation Center regarding White Supremacist Violence in Charlottesville and throughout the U.S.

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Hatred never ends through hatred.
By non-hate alone does it end.
This is an ancient truth.
— from the teachings of the Buddha, The Dhammapada, trans. Gil Fronsdal

August 20, 2017

For over ten years EBMC has been co-creating a culture of strongly-rooted resistance, resilience and well-being that is financially accessible to all. This is our ongoing and steady and committed response to the violence and injustice and turmoil we witness in society. Our commitment, now as it has been from our beginning, is to cultivate the ground for deep systemic change, to seek to end multigenerational patterns of oppression, and to uphold a spiritual vision supported by on-the-ground strategies for a life in community that contains well-being, profound freedom, and joy for everyone.

At East Bay Meditation Center we have been taking refuge in liberatory, resilience- and community-strengthening mindfulness practices for over ten years. We have also been making refuge for people of color; members of the LGBTQIQ/same-gender loving community; people with disabilities and chronic illness; and folks from other underserved communities. This taking refuge and making refuge has always been and still is our entire purpose, our reason for being since we first opened our doors.

In the midst of the recent white supremacist, anti-Semitic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia and elsewhere, EBMC continues to do what we have always done. Our weekly practice groups and other programs continue, attended by an empowered, social justice activist spiritual community, and taught and led by an extraordinarily diverse and skilled group of teachers and facilitators who understand the role that mindfulness-based practices can play in grounding and growing resilience and in helping to heal trauma for entire communities. Our shared leadership model demonstrates our commitment to transparent, empowered spaces in which creativity and innovation can flourish. We are determined not merely to survive; we want everyone in our Sangha (spiritual community), including our children and our elders, to thrive.

At EBMC, our Black Lives Matter altar pays daily tribute to those who have lost their lives due to structural violence in the U.S., and the entire meditation center offers a space of healing for those who are grieving and in pain. Our response to the recent and grievous white supremacist, terrorist events in Charlottesville and beyond is that East Bay Meditation Center’s doors remain open on a gift economics basis; we continue to offer programs and practices of liberation, justice, and healing; and we persevere in providing leadership development based in Courageous Compassion, Wisdom, and Loving Kindness.

Want to increase diversity in the neuroscience of meditation?

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Participate in the first community-based neuroscience study between EBMC and UCSF called the EMBODY study.  We are looking for diverse meditators who 1) are 25-65 years old, 2) have consistently practiced meditation for 5 years in their lifetime, and 3) are interested in brain activity during meditation measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participation would involve 1) phone interview and online surveys, 2) 3-hour visit to UCSF Mission Bay, including 2 hours in a MRI scanner, and 3) receiving a picture of your brain and $75. Travel costs are reimbursed. People of all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, and ability status are encouraged to participate. E-mail embodystudy@ucsf.edu or call 415-514-8445 for more information.

People should not participate if they have magnetic metal in their bodies, would not be comfortable in an MRI scanner, and are having difficulty paying attention to experiences (such as breath and thoughts). For an informational pamphlet on this study, click here.

Mindfulness training for activists & change agents at EBMC: Aug 6 is deadline for PiTA5 yearlong program applications!

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Now in its fifth year, this award-winning yearlong program of secular mindfulness training for social justice activists and agents of social transformation, is accepting applications. Deadline: Aug 6, 2017. For more information, click here.

 

“The Story of Us” — What EBMC’s Community Survey (Spring 2017) Tells Us

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At East Bay Meditation Center we’ve been told that, for a relatively small meditation center, we have in the ten plus years since we opened our doors created a large impact on other Buddhist and spiritual communities. Our diversity and social justice-centered mission, and our innovative strategies and policies that support our commitment to “radical inclusivity,” along with our location in downtown Oakland, California have contributed to the creation of a Sangha (spiritual community) that is deeply based in mindfulness practices from a variety of wisdom traditions, that operates by gift economics rather than charging fees for our programs, and that is fiercely committed to exploration of how beloved community manifests in day-to-day interactions and relationships of spiritual friendship, mentoring, and the development of shared leadership.
This spring we invited EBMC community members to give us the next chapter of our unfolding “Story of Us” through responding to an online survey. You can access the survey results by clicking here.
[Update as of Aug 18] Now that we’ve shared all of our yummy Baker’s Dozen infographics on social media, you can if you like download a pdf that contains all 13 infographics by clicking here.

Awakening Together, a forthcoming book by Larry Yang

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For every center, organization, or individual wishing to create a welcoming and inclusive spiritual community, this book is a must-read.

“I don’t see how Awakening Together could be better. It is so wise, thoughtful, dedicated to our healthful growth, ease, and enlightenment through the Dharma, that I know I will be reading it for years to come. Larry Yang seems to have thought of everything we will need as we venture bravely forward— through racism, prejudice, ignorance—into the free spiritual beings we were meant to be. Together.”—Alice Walker

“What a gift Awakening Together gives to how we can build sanghas that represent the illuminating and joyous presence that true diversity brings.” —Gina Sharpe

“Larry Yang’s voice, heart, and insight in Awakening Together can be both trusted and radically illuminating. I highly recommend this elegant, highly personal, and hopefully profoundly influential book.” —Jon Kabat-Zinn

“For the first time—a Dharma book that is a roadmap showing collective pathways out of social suffering.”
—Mushim Ikeda

“A must read for anyone interested in understanding the integrities of belonging.”—Ruth King

“Inspiring, compelling and deeply wise, Awakening Together is essential reading as we seek to heal our own hearts, our communities and our world.”—Tara Brach

“Filled with love, clear and poignant.”—Zenju Earthlyn Manuel

Available October 2017. Pre-order now at wisdompubs.org/awakening-together

Application period now open for EBMC board of directors

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The East Bay Meditation Center’s Leadership Sangha (LSangha), or board of directors, is now seeking new members. The application period is from June 1 to 5 pm on July 7, 2017.

LSangha members serve 3 year terms, and the average weekly time commitment for an LSangha member is 5 hours per week. LSangha members are primarily responsible for stewarding EBMC and setting strategic direction for the organization within the LSangha/staff Shared Leadership model. All LSangha members are guided by the principles of Shared Leadership* for the good of the whole to move the work of the organization forward.

If you or someone you know is interested, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Read what your role and responsibilities would be if you were to join the LSangha by clicking here. (This is a position description for EBMC board members.)
  2. Next, please take a look at the 2017 LSangha Giving and Fundraising Plan by clicking here.
  3. The third step is to download the LSangha application in Word by clicking here. Fill it out and email to melissac@eastbaymeditation.org. The application deadline is July 7, 2017, 5:00 pm.

*  Shared Leadership at EBMC is both a collaborative governance system based on mutual accountability and a culture of respect and inclusion rooted in Dharmic society values.  Our shared leadership approach stewards the mission and vision of the organization through role clarity, transparency, compassionate confrontation and timely attention to areas of tension.

 

 

 

What the Sangha Said: Community Meeting Report-Back

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EBMC’s March 26, 2017 Community Meeting

Community Meeting Report Back

March 26, 2017

 

Sangha Input

East Bay Meditation Center hosted an open Community Meeting on 4/26/17. Eleven Sangha members were in attendance, including Teachers, Practice Group Coordinators, Staff, and Leadership Sangha.

 

Report Back Method

This report aims to provide a transparent summary of the questions, concerns and information raised at the meeting.

 

 

General EBMC Information

  • EBMC’s lease was renewed for 3 years. We are in year 1 of renewal. No rent increase
  • Feedback section on website has been requested
  • EBMC has a strategic development plan, but not an overall strategic plan. We are searching for a Strategic Planning consultant, aiming for the process to run from May through end of November, 2017
  • Eventbrite technical issue: registration for EBMC events is sometimes difficult on computers and phones
  • Over 300 people responded to EBMC’s Sangha Survey!
  • Keeping valuables secured helps people not to break a precept. What is the best way to language “Keep your valuables with you at EBMC” within a multicultural spiritual community?

 

Giving & Gift Economics

  • Encouragement for spiritual teachings of dana to be frame as generosity, rather than “give us money”
  • Increase transparency to the Sangha on the overhead costs for programs
  • Some people wonder: how much to give to Teachers v. EBMC at a class?
  • Education needed: Teachers & Sangha leaders could benefit from more details about staff: roles, FTE, how EBMC runs
  • Confusion persists: How to give dana to teachers other than cash and checks? EBMC currently cannot accept cards for teacher dana.
  • Sangha members who have more to give can particularly benefit from understanding Gift Economics
  • EBMC can offer more programs to discuss gift economics and money-related shame, anxiety, discomfort and other responses
  • Teachers need support to give skillful Gift Economics talks

 

EBMC in the Community

  • EBMC’s mission is even more audacious in current political climate
  • EBMC is not immune to being seen as outsiders in this particular neighborhood. In larger society, increased tensions due to gentrification and displacement create more distress. Request for Sangha leadership & members to think about ways that EBMC can be a good neighbor

Stand Against Suffering: An Unprecedented Call to Action by Buddhist Teachers

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Thirteen leading Buddhist teachers, joined by more than 100 additional signatories, call on Buddhists and all people of faith to take a stand against policies of the new administration that will create suffering for the most vulnerable in society.
BY BHIKKHU BODHI, NORMAN FISCHER, JOAN HALIFAX, MUSHIM PATRICIA IKEDA, JACK KORNFIELD, ETHAN NICHTERN, ROSHI PAT ENKYO O’HARA, LAMA ROD OWENS, GREG SNYDER, GINA SHARPE, REV. ANGEL KYODO WILLIAMS, JAN WILLIS AND MYOKEI CAINE-BARRETT| APRIL 3, 2017 Published by Lion’s Roar.

EBMC State of the Center Report, March 2017

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To see our latest report on East Bay Meditation Center’s financial health and fundraising, please click here.

EBMC is seeking a Strategic Planning Consultant & Facilitator

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Request for Proposals
Strategic Planning Consultant & Facilitator

March 15, 2017

East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled consultant and facilitator to work with a group of EBMC staff, LSangha (board) members and core volunteers to create a strategic plan to guide the organization’s short, medium and long-term growth. This plan will be a reflection of EBMC’s values of diversity, inclusion, equity and justice, capture the skills, talents and strengths of staff and volunteers, and support long-term sustainability for the staff and the organization.

The consultation, which will include in-person meetings, phone calls and email communication, will commence upon identification of the candidate and complete no later than November 17, 2017. The project should leverage past organizational learning and development as well as existing practices and include the following deliverables:

  • Creation of a written strategic plan that:
  • supports the organization’s ability to respond  to quickly-changing needs, such as the rapid gentrification of Oakland
  • is informed by feedback gathered from key stakeholders via individual interviews, facilitated focus groups, surveys etc
  • identifies and leverages organizational strengths and opportunities as well as identifying challenges, threats and mitigating factors
  • is fully documented, including all structures, tools, processes and procedures created within the scope of the project

Background:

The mission of the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) is to foster liberation, personal and interpersonal healing, social action, and inclusive community building. We offer mindfulness practices and teachings on wisdom and compassion from Buddhist and other spiritual traditions. We operate with a commitment to diversity, transparent democratic governance, generosity-based economics, and environmental sustainability. EBMC is intentionally located in downtown Oakland to provide training in meditation and mindfulness practices to the diverse populations of the Bay Area, especially those who may not feel welcome in a traditional meditation center. Because EBMC prioritizes serving people of color, members of the LGBTQI community, people living with disabilities, and/or low-income people, we’ve been called the most diverse meditation center in the country. We provide various programs, including weekly sitting groups, day-long and weekend retreats, class series, yoga and other movement classes, and year-long trainings, most of which are geared to members of these communities.

The financial barrier presented by registration fees at most meditation centers has prevented a large segment of the community from having access to the skills and tools provided by meditation, yoga, and related training.  Our generosity-based economic model, with no registration fees, allows everyone access to our programs, regardless of socioeconomic class.

Staffing:

For the first four years of its existence, EBMC relied on the work of volunteers to run almost all of its operations, including the labor of an almost full-time volunteer who essentially functioned as an Executive Director.  In response to the demands of the rapidly growing organization and the inability of volunteers to handle all of the associated work, in 2011 and 2012 EBMC added part-time staff to facilitate operations and fundraising. In 2013 we worked with an organizational development consultant to streamline our staffing, systems, and operations, and in January 2014, we hired our first Center Director. In April 2016 that position was eliminated, and with the support of an organizational development consultant, EBMC began creating and implementing a Shared Leadership structure.

EBMC currently has five part-time staff members who are responsible for implementing EBMC programs, with support from three contract staff and over 200 volunteers. Staff includes an Director of Finance and Operations (62.5% time), a Development Director (50% time), a Community Coordinator (50% time), an Events Coordinator (50% time), and a Development & Facilities Coordinator (50% time).

Proposal Review Process:

A subcommittee comprised of staff and LSangha (board) members will review proposals. Part of the review process will include a phone and/or in-person interview with members of the subcommittee. The subcommittee will make recommendations to the full Leadership Sangha.  The chosen applicant will be notified by April 21, 2016.

 

Please submit your application to Amanda Ream at amanda@eastbaymeditation.org no later than March 31, 2017.

Please include the following with your proposal submission:

  • Resume or CV
  • Two professional references that can speak to your skills and experience in strategic planning
  • A cover letter which includes: statement of understanding of and alignment with EBMC’s mission, and statement of understanding of and commitment to be fragrance-free when attending in-person meetings