I have been attending workshops at EBMC sporadically for close to 2 years now. I am not a regular…read moremeditator, despite my intentions, I accept what is for now lol. I value EBMC so much as a learning space. The workshops I have attended always provided information for me, whether about the nature of things or about my inner world that was right on time! I have definitely grown as a result and feel helped along through life's challenges & lessons. I love the gift economics model they use, I just wish we could venmo our donations or some other way online where eventbrite doesn't charge fees. I try to pay cash on site instead when I have it, but yea I hate the fees. Tip: scent free space, and they mean it! I actually love fabric softener (it was a luxury my family did not afford when I was a kid) and now I dump it enthusiastically all over my laundry, so attending events at EBMC requires some extra planning on my part, but I appreciate that they are serious to make it accessible for everyone and it's well worth my effort.

Super welcoming, efficient and kind... Keep trying the various teachers and I find there's someone…read morefor everyone in terms of style and Dharma offerings with the various programs in wide variety of teachers... Improvement could be made with donating one portal easy like IMC Redwood City and I would really appreciate less aggressive dana talks and an easier portal /platform for donating going to each individual teachers platform and having to sign up with the platform is not a solution and I appreciate your kind attention and hope this can be made easier for all beings to donate to East Bay Meditation Center because basically I'm waiting until the teachers come to Insight Meditation Center Redwood City and donating to them at that venue because easier. Also another Meditation Center that even has an easier platform for donation is Flagstaff Meditation Center you go in pull down the teacher's name click in the donation arrives to the teacher and or Center....

A warm, welcoming, and inclusive community, ever-evolving while offering refreshing teachings and…read moreopportunities to reflectively cultivate engaged practice as applied to daily life. An oasis.

In 2007 I had the good fortune to attend a Qigong workship at the Berkeley Shambhala Center led by…read moreEva Wong. I was somewhat apprehensive about the physical demands of such a practice since I was 60 years old, overweight, and not in good physical condition. I found that the qigong was taught in a gentle way with great sensitivity to participants' physical infirmities. I was quite surprised to find that I felt better after six hours of Qigong than I did before I started and that I was not sore at all the next day. I was even more surprised to find that the second day of instruction was also invigorating and pain free. I have continued to practice this Qigong and have taken additional classes from Eva. My wife and I both have found that this Qigong practice has made us stronger, healthier, and more flexible. It has truly improved our lives at a time when we needed it. Why am I telling you about this old news? Because Eva Wong is returning to teach again at the Berkeley Shambhala Center on December 5-6, 2009. I hope that others can learn to improve their lives as my wife and I were able to.

The energy of the studio is sweet and lovely. Aviva is an…read moreamazing instructor and the focus is on healing.

I came for a drop in class from out of town. The studio is a beautiful space, however the teacher,…read morewho opened the studio, did not arrive until about 4 minutes before the class started. It is considerate, professional and standard operating procedure to have the studio and space open for 15 minutes before class. Students need time to use the bathroom, settle in, grab props, and take a few quiet minutes to themselves before beginning practice. Instead, there were 7 of us standing outside by the door waiting in the sun and it was a very odd dynamic when the teacher parked and arrived to let us all in because the teacher should ALWAYS arrive before the students if there is no open door/front desk. The teacher did not mention specifically which props to have for practice, so every time we did a movement with a new prop, about half of the students had to get up and grab them from the prop room which is very disruptive to practice. Lastly, the teacher guided students into trying Handstand without making space for alternatives like Dolphin or Headstand, and more importantly without any of the basic energetic cues for hands, elbows, and shoulders that are strictly necessary to provide students for this posture in order to protect your neck and shoulders.

Loved the center! Such beautiful people and Loved the course! Feel so rejuvenated after the SKY…read moremeditation :)

My friend and I stumbled in upon their grand opening and shared a humbling experience together…read more Very grateful for a new space like this in our neighborhood.

Enjoyed a wonderful evening of crystal bowls at Luminary Farms a few months ago. It was over way…read moretoo quickly but I was completely relaxed and refreshed. I am not good at meditating and this replaces meditation for me. After there was time to try the bowls and hear her stories. So interesting to learn about the bowls. Looking forward to attending another event soon.

I am constantly doing, going, working and find it hard to sit still. Yet, I was able to fully relax…read moreand feel present in the sound bath. It's really amazing how the sound envelopes and moves through you. Definitely something I would do again!

Mer is an amazing healer~Incredibly intuitive and musically gifted, she used the Tibetan singing…read morebowls to guide me on a journey of healing & love. The vibrations of that session left me feeling calm, grounded & energized! Highly recommended!

I have been going to Mer for over a year and a half now and she has been a profound influence and…read moreimpact on my life. She caters her healing to the individual and there's no one size fits all on her approach. I can't rave enough about how she has helped me grow as a person, as well as face the challenges of my past. In my opinion, she creates a safe space for healing, the kind of healing we all need to do before truly being able to open fully to all life has to offer. What a gift she is!

Recently went here with my uncle for a meditation program. We enjoyed a homemade osa in the…read morecommunal kitchen. Nice bookstore. We enjoyed the meditation program and fiendly Sangha here that made us feel welcome. We will be back.

The Oakland Ashram is a welcoming and lovely place to meditate and be among kind people. The…read morefamily programs are well loved by children and families. I recommend it as a place to go and experience peace and a nourished heart. The food is delicious at the Ashram also. The temple is exquisite. I have been going there and participating for many years. All are welcome.

MDZG is truly a lotus in muddy water. There are few places one can go to find refuge and support of…read morea Zen teacher whose generous spirit and depth of understanding offers encouragement to persevere in this challenging time. Baika's sitting group is both steeped in tradition and blooms with contemporary expression. Every time I meditate with MDZG I have deeply felt the tranquility of the space cultivated over the past ten years since its founding. I encourage everyone reading this to cross their threshold and experience for themselves "Plum Blossom's Complete Illumination" --Dōgen Zenji Rev Ross ULC Minister

MDZG has been wonderful. Zazen with them over zoom each morning at 8 am has helped me start off the…read moreday with a very meaningful meditation practice (just sitting). Grateful to Myosho Baika and everyone at Mount Diablo Zen Group.

I'm in Sonoma County but did my class at the Berkeley TM center which I am grateful for. I find the…read moreteachers there friendly, accessible, knowledgeable and kind. I've done several retreats thru this center and have had nothing but positive experiences. For what you receive from TM - not just in instruction but from the practice itself - I find the center invaluable.

I received my TM instruction in Seattle but am so happy to have found this community now that I…read morelive in the East Bay. I've been to one tune-up and one weekend retreat (both firsts for me) and look forward to attending more. The Zoom meditations during the week are a great complement to my practice. I always feel like I learn something new and come away feeling rested, refreshed, and reinvigorated. And it's always lovely to meditate with others, see familiar faces, and share in the experience.

I love the meditation and connection meetups offered here. I am now going twice a week!read more

Super nice people, love that they host a space for the community and hope more people can get to…read moreknow their mission. Very lowkey and have a variety of community groups that meet during the week