Calendar and Events

This page lists special events, the schedule of teachers and dharma talk topics for our Thursday evening meetings, and the Activities Newsletter.

Scroll down or click on a topic for more information:

• Special events
• Schedule of teachers and topics for Thursday meetings
• Activities Newsletter

Special Events

Events such as daylongs and retreats produced or sponsored by the Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley will be listed here. If no such events are currently scheduled, please see the websites of affiliated local meditation communities for a wealth of dharma events and practice opportunities.

Scroll down or click on an event for more information:

• Benefit daylong for East Bay Meditation Center with Jack Kornfield
• Daylong retreat with James Baraz
• Disaster relief for the people of Burma
  
  

Dignity, Compassion and Freedom

A daylong benefit retreat with Jack Kornfield, Charles Johnson, and Mushim Ikeda-Nash for our close dharma friends at East Bay Meditation Center. Please support this event with your attendance.

Saturday, September 6, 2008, 10 am to 4:30 pm

Historic Sweet's Ballroom
1933 Broadway (at the 19th Street BART station)
downtown Oakland

Beginning meditators welcome!

Visit the East Bay Meditation Center website for more information and to register.

Wheelchair accessible.

(special events)

James Baraz will lead a daylong retreat in the East Bay on Saturday, October 11. Please mark your calendars and watch this site as the details unfold.

(special events)

Our meditation practice is deeply rooted in the Theravada Buddhist practices of the monasteries of Burma and Thailand. The recent cyclone has devastated many parts of Burma including Rangoon, its largest city, as well as the populated lowland areas of the Delta region. Recent reports claim the death toll may exceed 10,000 and early reports believe tens of thousands more have been left homeless after the 120 mph winds and pounding rain wreaked havoc on the city of already substandard housing, poor sewage and limited infrastructure.

Spirit Rock Meditation Center supports the work of The Foundation for the People of Burma (FPB) which has been working closely in specific communities in Rangoon and southern Burma for many years. FPB is positioned to quickly address people’s needs in these areas. Read the Spirit Rock statement for more information.

Donations can be made on the FPB website or by check or money order to Foundation for the People of Burma, 225 Bush Street Suite 590, San Francisco, CA 94104.  For questions please call (415) 217-7015.

(special events)

(top of page)

Weekly Schedule of Teachers for 2008

Following is a list of teachers and topics for our Thursday evening meetings. You can also receive email notification of the teacher and topic for the following Thursday by subscribing to our email lists. Visit the Recorded Dharma page to download or listen to these dharma talks.

(top of page)

Activities Newsletter

Following is a list of the activities the IMCB planning committee scheduled for the current month to encourage a sense of community in our sangha. In addition to viewing the Activities Newsletter here, you can pick up a copy at the greeter table on Thursday evening, receive it by email by subscribing to our Announcements or Bulletin Board email list, or view or print a PDF. (If you need a free copy of Acrobat Reader to view the PDF, you can download it here.)

August 2008

*** Our Thursday meetings will be in a new location during July and August ***

While the Monastery is being renovated, we will be meeting at the
Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda between Solano and Marin.

SPIRITUAL FRIENDS (KALYANA MITTA) GROUPS. Generally consisting of 8-10
members, these groups usually meet every two weeks for about two hours
to meditate and discuss a reading about Buddhism. They are a rich way to
maintain and expand your practice and study of the dharma, and connect
with like-minded spiritual friends. To join an existing group, to form
your own, or to find new members for your group, contact Michael
Bergeisen at mb50_00@yahoo.com.

BOOK GROUP. The book group is not meeting in August. We are reading Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree: the Buddha's Teaching on Voidness by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and will meet again in September. Newcomers are welcome. Email Jennifer or call her at 525-5617.

1. MONTHLY POTLUCK. Thu, Aug 7, 6 pm at the church before the sitting. Since we are not at the Monastery, no restrictions on onions or garlic. It is ok to come late, there is usually plenty of food.

2. MOVIE NIGHT. Sat Aug 9, 7 pm potluck dinner, 8 pm movie. The movie is “The Cup”, about some young monks in a monastery in Bhutan who get entranced by the World Cup of soccer. At Charlotte and Liam’s house, 534 Grandview Ct, Pt. Richmond. Take 580 West towards Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, exit Richmond Parkway. Stay in the left lane and turn left at the first light, go back under the freeway. Go through a signal under the freeway and turn RIGHT (hard right up a hill) onto Tewksbury. Go LEFT on Vacca, RIGHT on Golden Gate, LEFT on Clarence to Grandview. The house is to the LEFT, and park where you can. 231-1900.

3. COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING. Sun, Aug 10, 6 pm potluck, 7–9 business. At Gay’s house, 525 Woodmont, 527-8999. Help plan and execute these Sangha activities. All are welcome, come and be part of the group.

4. SF MIME TROUPE. Sat, Aug 23, 12:30. The Mime Troupe is bringing “Red State”, their annual performance, to Live Oak Park, on Shattuck two blocks north of Rose St. Bring some snacks to share before the music starts at 1:30. Suzy, 527-6854.

5. UPCOMING. In October, a picnic for the community, date and location TBA.

(top of page)