Men of Color Meetings: Finding Ourselves (Meeting #1)

This event is a space for Men of Color to gather, connect, learn and practice together. Participants will explore dharma teachings and articles to frame our collective exploration of the divine masculine. Through storytelling, mindfulness practices, group work and ritual we will offer healing and growth in community.

All people who self-identify with their masculinity and as a person of color are welcome to join. We know that healing is available to us in community when we practice. We lean into EBMC's multicultural agreements and practices for creating inclusive spaces.

This event is a series of four daylong events with an arc of learning exploring unifying themes. Designed to build with cumulative content, each session can stand alone and available for drop in participation.

NEXT EVENTS IN 2027 - Save the Dates!

• Saturday, January 2, 2027
• Saturday, April 3, 2027
• Saturday, July 10, 2027

Patrick Brown is originally from Chicago and a graduate of the EBMC Commit to Dharma Program. He is currently practicing in the Community Dharma Leaders Training Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. He is on the Leadership Team of the EBMC People of Color Sangha, the EBMC Alphabet Sangha and the Alphabet Brothers of Color Deep Refuge Sangha.

Ramón Honea. Born 1964, Oakland, Ramón went through Oakland and Bay Area schools and Universities culminating with a Master of Science at Cal State East Bay. This parallels a career in Education and Administration. Twenty years ago, Ramón's life shifted sharply and he encountered Meditation at the East Bay Meditation Center. Since that introduction he has been on the coordinating committee of the BIPOC practice group, and served on the L-sangha. Went from volunteering to working with a multi year employment with Spirit Rock Meditation Center as a silent retreat Manager. Graduate of the Mindfulness Training Institute with Mark Coleman, Mindfulness Mentor Training Program with Jack Kornfield, and the Spiritual Teacher and Leader Program at the East Bay Meditation Center. Connected to a teacher, Carol Cano and Braided Wisdom, which exploded a creative desire to create altars to ancestors. Currently attending Deep Practitioner Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center which is a two year program studying the writings of the Buddha. Focus on holding space for the QT BIMIPOC community and Men of Color groups. Currently Staff, Facilities and Community Liaison, at EBMC .

Lev Michael Moses aka Fresh!, CPCC, is a Certified Professional, Mindfulness & Life Coach. He has been practicing Mindfulness since 2007, and is currently a student of Spirit Rock’s Dharma Leadership Program. In addition to Co-leading the Teen Sangha at EBMC, Fresh! is also a rotating teacher at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, and leads a group for Trans* and Gender Variant folks in Oakland as well. Fresh! earned his Early Childhood Education Credits at Skyline College when he committed to being a classroom assistant and volunteer back in the 90s. Since 2003, Fresh! has facilitated or co-lead over 100 discussions in San Francisco and Marin, in schools and workplaces, with a goal of ending bullying for all, with a focus on creating safety for the LBGTQI communities.

Cost

The teachings are regarded as priceless. So they are offered without a fee. You are invited to support the teachings and our efforts by contributing voluntary donations (the practice of “Dana”) for the expenses of the meditation center and the support of the teachers.

The ticket prices are listed as different tiers with suggested donations based on income ranges. For those who wish to give more, you may choose an "add-on" to your ticket. For those unable to give, there is an option for that.

Note that all financial gifts received here go directly to EBMC, and we invite you to give separately to our teachers, using the information below.

Other ways to give:

To make a gift to sustain the work of East Bay Meditation Center, you may do so at bit.ly/ebmc-give 100% of our programming on a sliding scale and no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds.

Please also consider giving a financial gift to our teachers as well, who do not receive a salary for their work, and give their teachings freely to all.

Lev Michael Moses

Venmo: freshencounter

PayPal: [email protected]

CashApp: $FreshWhite

Ramón Honea

Venmo: @ramon-honea

Patrick Brown

Venmo: @mistercakes

Zelle: [email protected]