About this Event
HYBRID: Growing the Gift Economy: We Embody Interdependence
Sunday, November 15th, 2026
1 - 5PM PT ()
With Patrick Brown and JD Doyle
In-person at EBMC and online via Zoom
Open to all
The center is fragrance-free and wheelchair accessible
N95/KN95 masks strongly encouraged.
Building around EBMC's Dana practice of the "Gift Economy", together we will explore the dimensions of giving freely with an open heart. Teachings and conversation will explore the ways we decolonize the racial economy by participating in the thousands-of-years-old Buddhist practice of generosity.
Practicing interdependence allows us to lean into our values of mutuality and reciprocity. We grow and flourish towards collective liberation when we remember the delight of giving with an open heart. Join us in discovering ways to overcome our conditioning to transactional resource exchange and discover what abundance looks like.
Public Transportation/Parking:
- We strongly encourage public transportation/biking/walking since parking in the neighborhood is limited.
- EBMC is 4-5 blocks from 19th Street Bart (about a 7 minute walk).
- EBMC has bike parking inside the center.
- Meter parking: Requires payment Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 12-6pm.
- There are also paid lots/garages on Harrison at 15th and on Harrison between 17th and 19th. If you are planning to drive, please allow extra time for parking.
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.
Patrick Brown
Venmo: @mistercakes
Zelle: [email protected]
JD Doyle
Venmo: @JD-Doyle-3
https://www.venmo.com/u/JD-Doyle-3
Paypal: @DoyleJD
http://paypal.me/DoyleJD
For in-person participation:
For those wishing to practice in person, space will be limited to 60 people to allow ample space for social distancing. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear N95 or KN95 face masks. (N95 face masks will be available at EBMC.) Please note: The teacher may be unmasked while teaching.
To attend in person, you need to be completely free of fragranced body and clothing products -- more information and a list of fragrance free products, including those that are especially good for people of color, appears on our website:
https://eastbaymeditation.org/resources/fragrance-free-at-ebmc/
East Bay Meditation Center is a scent free / fragrance free space and is wheelchair accessible.
Teachers
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.
JD Doyle is a Core Teacher at EBMC and helped found the Alphabet Sangha. JD is in the Spirit Rock teacher training and completed the Dedicated Practitioner program and the Community Dharma Leader program. They’ve practiced Buddhism since 1995 in the U.S., Thailand, and Burma. For over twenty-five years, they worked as a public school teacher focusing on issues of equity and access. They are committed to celebrating the diversity of our human sangha, addressing the impact of racism on our communities, expanding concepts of gender, and living in ways that honor the sacredness of the Earth. To offer a gift to support JD's teachings, please do so via Venmo: @JD-Doyle3
Event venue & nearby stays
285 17th St, 285 17th Street, Oakland, United States
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