East Bay Meditation Center

"At EBMC, I found a place that was honest and authentic about the complexities of being a person of color and especially a multiracial person. EBMC has changed my entire point of view on therapy, healing and reciprocity. It’s hard to describe or encapsulate what EBMC is; its impact is so personal to each of us. It is a place of true vulnerability, a gift that has no capitalistic value." We're so thankful for Jared and all of you! Our Season of Gratitude fundraising campaign i...s still going strong. We're at $10,282 out of our $25,000 goal! To donate via website: www.eastbaymeditation.org/dana To donate via PayPal: www.paypal.me/eastbaymeditation Read Jared's full story here: https://eastbaymeditation.org//abundance-of-access-to-tru/

Sustainability, non-burnout, radical rest, collective leadership all go hand-in-hand at #EBMCOakland. It's always a work in progress, and we're happy to announce that East Bay Meditation Center's hard-working staff is going to take a second Collective Rest from December 25, 2020 through January 3, 2021. We'll be back on duty January 4, 2021. See you in the New Year!

2020 brought many challenges but also some new heights for EBMC! This year we saw an almost fivefold increase in attendance in events. We continue to prioritize the participation of BIPOC, so these numbers also include more people of color than ever. ... Another benefit to our new online Sangha is that people are joining us from all overfrom L.A. to N.Y.C. and Canada to South Africa! Huge shoutout to our event staff Candi & Shah and our operations guru Marisa, and of course all of our stellar volunteers that made our vibrant events happen this year! We are still raising funds towards our Season of Gratitude fundraising campaign. Please donate so we can keep building on these successes! www.eastbaymeditation.org/dana

Core Teacher Mushim Ikeda did a workshop with Asian Art Museum titled "Mindfulness Meditation for People with Disabilities". Check it out and please share with others! https://www.youtube.com/watch Description: "Having trouble maintaining balance and figuring out how to live daily life as a person with disabilities? You’re not alone. This one-hour online workshop will get you started on mindfulness meditation for stress reduction, grounding yourself, and increased clarity of... mind with warmth, kindness, and humor. Mindfulness meditation is said to be one of many types of meditation taught by the historical Buddha, going back at least 2,600 years. This disability- and trauma-informed approach can give you tools to help deal with the overwhelming realities of our current time. The workshop is led by Mushim Patricia Ikeda, a Buddhist meditation teacher and secular mindfulness meditation teacher based in Oakland, California. She is a core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center who self-identifies as a person with disabilities. She strives to create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible space for all in her classes and workshops. Ikeda is the recipient of a Global Diversity Leadership Award and an honorary doctorate in of sacred theology from the Starr King School of the Ministry. http://www.mushimikeda.com"

EXCERPT: "I believe in strategic political action and liberatory movement-building. I have cast my vote. And these are my Bodhisattva vows as I move with you into the coming months and years: What actions can I take to lessen hostility and extreme reactivity, and to encourage civil discourse and respectful democratic process?" Mushim Patricia Ikeda, one of #EBMCOakland's core teachers [image is Rev. Tenku Ruff, a Zen Buddhist priest, a light skin color person with a shaved h...ead, wearing glasses, looking into the camera with a serious expression, wearing black robes with a white undercollar and a saffron colored Buddhist bib garment called a rakusu. In the background one can see a Buddhist scroll painting and a small wooden table covered with a white cloth, with Buddhist ceremonial objects and a vase with colorful flowers in it on top of the cloth.] https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhists-respond-to-bidens-pres/ See more

EBMC Social Justice Sangha, Tuesday, November 10th, 12-1 PM Pacific time. This is a monthly deep refuge group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month, offering a place to practice and reflect with #EBMCOakland organizers and activists. Email [email protected] for Zoom details. [Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash]

I want to remind all the phenomenal immigrants out there to vote today if they can. Like many of you, I am frustrated by the shortcomings of our electoral system AND I see voting (especially on local issues) as one tool among many to create change in this country. Please vote! says EBMC staff member, Anchal B. We hope that our Sangha is practicing deep self care today. Take some time to rest if possible, resource yourself and remember that we are in this together.

Election Day Metta (Loving Kindness Meditation): May every ballot be counted. May all who vote in-person be protected from illness, intimidation, and harm. May all candidates be safe and protected. May the results be clear, fair, and be of benefit toward the liberation of all beings without exception.... -- Dharma teacher La Sarmiento, teacher, Insight Meditation Community of Washington (D.C.) [Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash]

Buddhist teachers in the U.S., on why voting is important to them. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CG-klT8njv-/

Please vote and help others to vote! "We the people must choose the political, economic, and moral direction of this country" Mushim Patricia Ikeda, East Bay Meditation Center core teacher, quoting The Movement for Black Lives in today's #BuddhistBallots message. #GetOutTheVote https://www.facebook.com/36763589833/videos/390271975345545

The etymology of the word vote and the word vow are the same. It is a formal wish for the change you want to see in the world. It lives in my body like a prayer. In my Buddhist practice, I vow to do my part to reduce harm in our world and in our communities and voting is one way I can show up for that change. says EBMC staff member, Candi Martinez - Carthen. You have the right to vote. If you are voting in person and someone tries to stop you, call the Election Protection ...Hotline at 1-866-687-8683. Learn more about your voting rights, early voting deadlines and how to register at VOTE.ORG

For East Bay Meditation Center Staff Member, Marisa S (pictured here with her partner Darcy) voting is an act of self love and a way to show your love for others. We have just four days until the National Election and there is still time to register to vote and cast your ballot. Learn More at VOTE.ORG #VotingAsAnActOfLove

One of the leading voices in a new generation of Buddhist teachers, Lama Rod Owens is leading a special six-week online course based on his acclaimed new book, Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger. Through video, weekly practice check-ins, and live group sessions, Lama Rod will guide participants through the core meditation practices and teachings from "Love and Rage". Beginning Monday, November 2nd, 2020, we will explore our relationship with anger and our in...dividual and collective trauma, inviting us to deeply and unashamedly come to know our rage and to accept itand learn how to use the wisdom contained within anger as ground for our liberation. For more info and to sign up with a 20% discount (with code: EBMC20) off the Course's Standard Rate for our follower, please go to: https://bit.ly/3myIvFw (This online course is *not* hosted by East Bay Meditation Center)

Interested in working with East Bay Meditation Center? Or perhaps you know someone that would the perfect candidate to help us fulfill our mission of fostering liberation, personal and interpersonal healing, social action, and inclusive community building? We are currently seeking an Event Coordinator and Practice Group Liaison. This is a P/T salaried position. Full Job Description & Application Instructions:... https://eastbaymeditation.org/2020/10/we-are-hiring/ See more