Recently completed a week long silent meditation retreat. The experience was wonderful, the…read moreteachers were supportive and informative. The grounds are very beautiful with views in every direction. While I didn't complete a long hike, I did take multiple shorter walks into the trials and enjoyed the exercise and beautiful nature. The food provided is healthy and delicious. I highly recommend attending a retreat if you're interested. Pro tip: bring a pair of slip on shoes, the Meditation and residence halls require you to remove your shoes. You'll do this often each day.

So... would you like an update? It's worse. I am not knocking all the amazing teachers that come…read morethrough there, or Kornfield etc... just the elitism in the way its run. I mean, they say in their mission statement they're grounded in Buddha's teachings. I'm sorry, I still don't see it in action. I suppose I have to admit that this exclusiveness approach is serving some people in the community, and so I up my stars to two, but my heart knows this is anything but Buddha like. I don't wish to be negative, but I do feel, especially in times like these, that it's important to be honest and authentic. Small "elitisms" (if you will), are part of a larger dynamic. Its time we started looking at little closer at the reasons behind our choices. Thanks for reading. May all beings know peace.

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 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....

I just want everyone to know about the new meditation center in Novato - I went on Monday evening…read moreand came out all noodly with relaxation. I highly recommend it to anyone nearby! They have a wonderfully zen yet professional set up, and a wide variety of sessions! One is only $22, but they have bundle discounts - I'm definitely in it for the long haul!

From the owner: We offer menu of theme-based, guided meditations to the North Bay community. Drop in for your…read moredaily dose of tranquility.

I've been to a meditation class and a class about Crustal Skulls and my favorite class was a…read moreCrystal Bowl Concert! I Love it that we finally have a place to come together and learn, share and grow as a spiritual community. Till now, I have had to travel in order to get this kind of community. I am grateful to Terri for bringing her vision to life for us all. I'm grateful that I have a place that will allow me to share and teach my gifts as well! Can't wait for more!

From the owner: Awakenings is the newest addition to downtown Pleasanton's wellness scene. The Center for Self­…read moreDiscovery brings tools to better your whole life. Founded by local small business owner, Terri Carlson of Milfleur, she has envisioned a place for learning and life improvement for years. However, Carlson is not the only one teaching classes, in fact dozens of practitioners from around the Bay Area are taking part in the local enlightenment. You can learn how to meditate, discover your intuition and experience spiritual awakenings in the historical Kottinger Barn of Pleasanton. 30 inch adobe brick walls, featuring rustic wooden shutters and a original redwood ceiling bring character to the oldest building in Pleasanton. 162 years of history lives in its bones and has housed many a venture, and Awakenings will breathe new life into the treasured barn.

i had been dealing with some tough stuff, and I still am, I needed to find a way to calm my mind…read moredown, so i went in search to find what could help me heal holistically. After searching, meditation and this method is what i found, and i found that this meditation ( SF Meditation) is what saved my life. What i like most about this program is that they care. They are invested in our mental health and well being. I have been apart of this program for a few years now and this is the reason i keep coming back. SF meditation, has been my saving grace. I have been experiencing mental clarity and this was my reason for signing up with this program. It has definitely given me a new outlook on life. I am so happy that I am finally in a good place after so many years of mental turmoil. This method is a God send

I am in my 50's and in a place in my life where I am the sandwich generation. I am caregiving my 2…read moreelderly parents who live in San Diego while I am in the Bay, so I travel monthly to care for them. I am raising 2 kids at the same time. One who has ADHD. Through this stage in my life, there is a lot of stress I experience from caregiving my parents and there is more conflict I have with my wife and kids. Through my life, I sought help from supportive friends and relatives. I went to therapy. I also tried yoga and Taichi. It has not been enough. I researched meditation and came upon SF Meditation and met with Emily. When I first met her, her demeanor and aura was of calm and I already felt better with her presence. I did my first session with Emily and learned the overview of the method. Going through my life cycles was revealing. Learning to meditate with my eyes open showed me I can reflect and make better choices in how I handle life's situations as I go about my day. In the last weeks, my approach with my family is calmer, more open and less rigid. My son said once, "Is this really my mom?" and we had a good laugh. My daughter was experiencing some anxiety and I shared some helpful tips I learned from Emily, and my daughter found them helpful. I look forward to learning more and more. On how the meditation center runs: it is super accessible because they have virtual sessions. In these sessions, you meet other meditation leaders and people from all over the US. I feel like I am not only part of the Bay area community, but also a larger community worldwide. If there is one thing I would change (besides wishing I found the meditation center sooner!), I would want access to weekend in person sessions. But I understand even our meditation leaders need a break :) And on weekends, there is still access to virtual meditation, so still can get support that way.

I had been listening to Pema Chodron cds and reading her books for years. Although, when I tried…read moremeditation, it was extremely difficult for me. I enrolled in a Level 1 class (called The Art of Being Human) at Tamalpais Shambhala, after moving to Marin. The kindness and warmth of the teacher and volunteer staff was a breath of fresh air. The people were so genuine and real. It inspired me to take a book class and I found I loved hearing what others had to say about the teachings and applying them to their lives. Although it was hard for me at first, because I am not the most comfortable in groups, I found that I could make the teachings more real for me by studying them with others. I began to see life in a different way. Finding this community was such a gift and a relief. I wish that for others - that they could connect with people from the heart and have these precious teachings - this precious wisdom - in their life. That they, like me, could be taught about this "discipline of gentleness" to oneself (so important) and to others. Meditation is now a different exercise for me, since now I realize that meditation is a time to practice this "discipline of gentleness" - a time of non-judgement, warmth, and kindness - so that these may be carried on to the rest of life. -Erinn

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.

Their website says they have been closed for years unfortunately. I hope they re-open!read more

I am in love with this place..it is calm and the energy is clear. I am new at yoga and have been…read moregoing here for for 3months on a regular basis. I love the way I am welcomed since day one. The people who work here are certainly practicing spirituality. I was afraid to try yoga, I thought I was too clumsy. They told me they were glad I came in and talked about it! I have been going ever since, and am getting quite good.:-) I had a car accident 4 weeks ago and everyone that has taught the class, each yoga instructor have shown concern in my healing over the last two weeks. Checking in during class just to see if I am not over doing it. I am grateful I am able to come here to be a part of such a spirit centered place. Namaste

Most advanced & deep meditation techniques are taught here. In every session The Spiritual Master…read morewill guide you & take you to a different journey for your soul. You come out very calm, relaxed and rejuvenated. Staff is very polite respectful & helpful. Ambience is so white as if you are clouds. Highly recommended for Spiritual seekers.