Events

Spiritual Friendship: “The Whole of the Holy Life” Cultivating Wise Relations for Self Identified Women of Color

for Self Identified Women of Color 

Led by Noliwe Alexander

Join us for a day of celebrating the depth of Spiritual Friendships, the Whole of the Holy Life.

Together we’ll explore this potent statement by the Buddha through the lens of our life-long, road buddies, confidants and everyday supports; our friends. While telling our stories, we’ll discover how to walk together on the path to liberation. We’ll speak our truths and unite in sister circles to connect with our divine natures. Seeing what is real for us and how to cultivate loving friendliness, compassion and appreciative joy towards our ourselves and our chosen family.

We will engage in mindful meditation reflections, walking meditation, interactive exercises and circle truth telling ~ this day long will still your minds, open your hearts and have you rejoicing in the glory of “belonging”.

Invite a friend!

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.

Karuna Flow: An Access Centered Yoga Class

with Jess Dene Schlesinger

Access Centered Yoga Class

Drop In Format

No Experience Necessary 

Wheel Chair Accessible

Fragrance Free

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 resilience, and embodying compassion for all living beings.

 

Volunteer & Facility Training

Are you interested in getting more involved in your practice group? Already an active volunteer with questions about the facility or want to know what to do in an emergency?

If so, please join us for a one hour facility and volunteer training on Saturday, June 22nd from 10-11am. Learn where to find things, what to do in an emergency, and how to set up for a practice group!

Snacks and coffee provided!

Please RSVP to Irene@eastbaymeditation.org 

(so we can be sure to have enough food…YUM!)

How Do I Hold My Grief? Exploring Grief and Loss with Tenderness

with Patrick Brown 

This daylong will focus on how to work with the suffering of grief in it’s many stages. Together we will explore and practice with the difficult emotions of grief and loss.Centering our personal experiences and drawing practices from the dharma, the group will integrate learnings about the precepts, the refuges, and mindfulness.

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.

 

 

Meditation Training: Establishing a Meditation Practice in 4 Short Weeks

with Rev. Liên Shutt

Want to learn how to meditate? Or, have you tried at different times but just can’t quite figure how to make it work for you?

In this series, specific and easy-to-follow instructions will be given in three areas – body, heart/emotions and mind/mental states – to practice with one area per week. Then, in each class, you will have an opportunity to have your specific needs and questions addressed.

Think of this class as a four-week “training camp.” Come see how the two factors of practiced-guidance and cohort-support can help you to establish a sustainable practice in just four weeks!

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.

Opening Our Hearts: A Day of Lovingkindness Practice for the Transgender, Nonbinary, Genderqueer and Gender Expansive Communities

Open to all self identified Transgender, Nonbinary, Gender Queer, Gender Variant, and Gender Non-conforming people

With Bri Barnett, Fresh! “Lev” White, Kalash Ka and René Rivera

Lovingkindness is a powerful practice that enables us to cultivate our capacity for an open, fearless, and loving heart. This day will include meditations, sharing, and discussions that nurture kindness and love.

We will join in community, as Trans* and Gender Queer/Gender Variant people to share our stories, our practice, and create a space to practice freeing our hearts, not only for ourselves, but for our communities and for the freedom of the planet.

This daylong is suitable for both new and experienced meditators and is an opportunity to practice in a space which will be lead and held by Trans* identified individuals.

Space is limited and advance 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: Dharma in Motion

Led by Jessy Kondo Zapanta

Drop in Format, No Advance Registration Required

“Kapwa” can be defined as “shared inner self”–the unity of “self” and “other.” Kapwa Flow invites you to embody what collective liberation might feel like, alongside kindred spirits. Jessy will begin circle with a restorative grounding meditation, followed by a check in to support access needs and individual requests. You will then be guided through a customized flow of dynamic 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.

With extensive education in bodywork/somatic/energy practices and deep intuition informed by their life experience as a Bay Area-born mixed person of color surviving traumas and chronic illnesses, Jessy Kondo Zapanta brings compassion, curiosity and mind-body wisdom to class. Jessy is no stranger to injuries and accessibility needs, and hopes to create a nurturing space where all bodies feel welcomed.

Pause and Relax: A Mindfulness Practice Day for Educators

with JD Doyle and Jonathan Relucio

Open to All Educators

Teachers do important work that influences all our lives. The many challenges from this path of service make it difficult to find time for self care and may lead to feelings of overwhelm. During this day for educators, we will learn practices that can be easily integrated into daily life and that benefit you and the community (both students and colleagues). The day will include meditation, mindful movement, heart practices and other resources. We will offer background in neuroscience and brain research that describes the healing impact of these practices to mitigate the effects of chronic stress and secondary trauma.

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.

Mindful Prosperity: Abundance in Community

with Fresh Lev White & Imee Contreras

What would our practice and lives look like if we believed we were worthy of living abundantly? Can the Brahma Viharas support us in acknowledging that we are deserving and help us release fear and aversion of living prosperously? Imagine equanimity as a practice of manifestation that offers a gift of non-clinging; and include love, compassion and the possibility of more ease.

Through meditation, writing, and visioning, will explore our relationship with wealth, distinguish the difference between desire and greed, and discuss the gifts of generosity. We will participate in small and large group shares, as well as offer accessible movement.

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.

Teen Sangha: Spring Session

EBMC Teen Sangha
Spring 2019

Wednesdays, April 10th to June 19th 7:00 pm – 8:45PM pm
EBMC Teen Sangha is a weekly meditation group for teens, ages 14-19

Led by Anthony Maes, Raul Betancourt, Louije Kim 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.

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.