Events

ONLINE: Meditation & Movement: Creating Space in Your Body & Your Life

with Mushim Ikeda and Master Ellis

Using practice, demonstrations, and discussions, this online retreat will use meditation and movement to explore how to create and maintain greater mindfulness and spiritual balance throughout the day. Simple meditation techniques are taught for a range of practitioners, especially beginners. Movements are taught standing, sitting and reclining, and are appropriate for people with diverse abilities.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email.

ONLINE: Turning Towards Our Body During a Time of Turbulence, Suffering and Fear

A four class series exploring the four foundations of Mindfulness with Vimalasara Mason John.

Wednesdays, July 15th, 22nd, 29th and August 5th   7:00-8:30PM PST 

with Vimalasara Mason John

The Buddha taught the four foundations of mindfulness as a way to gain freedom from the external and internal worlds that we live in. During times of PandemicS Covid 19, racial and social injustices it is inevitable that many of us will flee the body, switch all feelings of and run to the comfort of our thoughts, and many other distractions. The hardest thing many of us will ever do is coming back to the breath, to the body, to feelings. If we want liberation we have to find a way back to the body. During this 4 week course we will journey through the 4 tetrads of the Mindfulness of Breathing, working with the body, feelings, thoughts, the nature of all things. We will cultivate metta to access the ancient practice of the four foundations of mindfulness, to help us see more clearly during these turbulent times of pandemics and uprisings. It will be held with kindness, giving space to anyone who would like to have a compassionate inquiry into whatever arises during the course. This course is for anyone who is ready to rediscover the elixir of the breath and the salve of loving-kindness.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email. 

Cultivating Solidarity and Building Stamina for Transformative Action (for White Practitioners)

Cultivating Solidarity and Building Stamina for Transformative Action (for White Practitioners)

with Crystal Johnson, JD Doyle and Evan Hoppin

10:00AM -12:15PM and 2:00PM-4:00PM PST

This is a moment in history when awareness of the harm of systemic racism and injustice is heightened and one of the challenges for us as white people is to stay focused enough and centered enough to take wise action.  To do this, we can use our practice to build our capacity to be present to the painful and complex feelings so that we can acknowledge, investigate, and truly witness the legacy of centuries of violent oppression.  In this way, we can build the stamina necessary to transform the system of white supremacy both internally and externally, for the benefit of all beings.

Registered participants will receive a link to join us via Zoom with their EventBrite confirmation email. 

 

Path of the Bodhisattva 2 & Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony

with Mushim Ikeda 

4 class series:  Path of the Bodhisattva 2, Weds, Oct 30 – Nov 20, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows, Dec 14, 10am – 4:30pm 

*Separate registration is needed for each part of the Path of the Bodhisattva class series (Part I, Part II + Precepts Ceremony). Participants interested in receiving the Bodhisattva Vows in Dec are required to take Part I + II of the class series. 

I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the second time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.

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.

Path of the Bodhisattva I & Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony

with Mushim Ikeda 

4 class series:  Path of the Bodhisattva 1, Weds, Oct 2 – 23, 6:30 – 8:30pm

4 class series:  Path of the Bodhisattva 2, Weds, Oct 30 – Nov 20, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows, Dec 14, 10am – 4:30pm 

*Separate registration is needed for each part of the Path of the Bodhisattva class series (Part I, Part II + Precepts Ceremony). Participants interested in receiving the Bodhisattva Vows in Dec are required to take Part I + II of the class series. 

I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the second time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises.

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.

Building the Beloved Community: A Day of Radically Inclusive Movement and Creativity

with Arisika Razak and Jessy Zapanta

“Liberatory access . . . resists . . . the world we don’t want and actively builds the world we do want.”
Mia Mingus

This workshop invites participants with a variety of abilities, disabilities and preferred modes of creative expression to come together to create a one-day sangha which honors diverse bodies, abilities, and creative modalities. Using radically inclusive movement, which prioritizes the needs and abilities of all participants, we will engage in chi kung, tapping, and gentle, playful movement meditations to embody the collective liberation and sense of belonging that our Buddha-natures desire. Music, writing and art will be used to support integration and reflection, and small and large group sharing will encourage community building across difference/s to create a Beloved community. Participants are invited to bring a item to share on the community altar. 

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 & Movement: Creating Space in Your Body & Your Life

with Mushim Ikeda and Master John Ellis

This class will use meditation and movement to explore how to create greater mindfulness and maintain spiritual balance throughout the day. Movements are taught standing, sitting and reclining, and are appropriate for people with diverse abilities. Class size limited to 50.

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.

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.

Silence Emboldens-A Weekend Meditation Retreat to Reconnect and Rejuvenate Your Practice

with JD Doyle and Jonathan Relucio

This two-day retreat is dedicated to deepening your meditation practice through cultivation of mindfulness and loving awareness. Reconnect and rejuvenate with two days of silence to support the practice of going inward and focusing the mind/heart on the present moment. We will devote time to mindful movement to support the release of accumulated tension in order to identify and release body-held stressors through practices of trauma-informed and access-centered body kindness. Join a nurturing community to boost your mindfulness practice and cultivate loving awareness for yourself and for all beings.

This retreat is suitable for new and experienced practitioners.

 

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.

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.