EBEM was founded in 2011 by Debra Kerr and Charlie Johnson, two of EBMC’s founding teachers. Sangha (spiritual community) meetings are led on a rotation basis by several of EBMC’s outstanding teachers who all self-identify as people with disabilities, including chronic illness and chronic pain.
Each of our teachers leads Every Body Every Mind Sangha in their own way. A typical meeting might include a half hour of guided mindfulness meditation, community building in the form of small group and/or full group sharing, a dharma talk from the teacher, and Q&A and announcements. Beginners in meditation are always welcome to attend, and instruction is provided.
EBMC operates as part of the worldwide gift economics movement and encourages the spiritual practice of Generous Giving, dana (a word from the ancient Buddhist language of Pali). Financial contributions from the community enable all EBMC classes, workshops, retreats, and weekly groups, including EBEM, to be accessible to people of all income levels, without set fees or upfront costs. Your contributions also sustain our teachers so that they can continue to give teachings to the community.
Donate to East Bay Meditation Center
If you prefer to send a check, please make it to EBMC and mail to EBMC, 285 17th Street, Oakland, California 94612, and print "EBEM Sangha" on the memo line. Thank you.
Donate to the teachers
Our teachers generously give their time and share their wisdom. They are not paid by EBMC. Donations support our teachers’ livelihood. PayPal and Venmo links for the teacher will be listed in the chat each Sunday.
Volunteering for Every Body Every Mind
We welcome volunteers who are part of the EBEM Sangha and who can assist with Zoom event management of online meetings. Please ask any questions by emailing ebem@eastbaymeditation.org. Training is provided.
Before coming to other groups and offerings at EBMC in-person, please be sure to be fragrance-free. It is important that we maintain a fragrance free space for the health of our community. Thank you, and see you on Sunday night!
Goals for Universal Accessibility
EBMC has Goals for Universal Accessibility on Zoom to help with sound and video quality. These requests help everybody participate comfortably in sangha. If possible:
When you are speaking to introduce your name, pronouns, and (optionally) a brief physical description of yourself.
If using virtual backgrounds, please use static, simple, high-contrast backgrounds.
Please do your best to keep your camera still while your camera is on.
Please repeat your name when you speak to help those with visual impairment.
One of the volunteers will attempt to read any comments that appear in the chat out loud.
To improve hearing accessibility, please strive for clear audio and mute when you are not speaking. Phone access is also available.
Take breaks whenever you need to, as there is no formal break in our sangha.
Access needs can be in conflict with each other and are a work in progress. We continue to strive for universal accessibility.
If you have unmet access needs, please send a message to the sangha volunteer in the chat. If the chat is not accessible to you, please feel free to offer them briefly in one minute or less via voice. Please do not send access requests directly to other participants.
Update on hybrid meetings
Currently, EBEM Sangha's weekly Sunday meetings are online-only. Hybrid meetings for EBEM are on hiatus pending more demand from our sangha members.
When attending other meetings held in-person at East Bay Meditation Center, please know EBMC is a scent free/fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible. As of January 1, 2026, EBMC’s in-person masking policy has shifted from “masks required” to “masks strongly encouraged." For more information, read EBMC's fragrance-free policy and most recent COVID update.
EBEM Sangha, we want to hear from you!
Please click the link to our sangha survey here. We want to hear from you about your experience with the EBEM sangha and how we move into the future. It's quick and anonymous (unless you want us to respond).
If the above link does not work, click here for the EBEM Survey: https://forms.gle/kH2nKJuVrqyvpjfDA