The Backstory

At Thom’s recent retreat in Mexico, some of us got to talking at dinner about how we shared a desire for more in person connection with other meditators Me and Melissa who both live in the Bay Area decided to be proactive about it, and to try and get a monthly-ish bay area meditators meetup going. On the shuttle to the airport, we talked through a simple format, and Melissa offered up her home as a venue to hold our first meetup.

Who We Are

Gabriel lives near Santa Cruz, and has been organizing gatherings to bring people together around good vibes and good food for over twenty two years.

He lived in Asia for about 3 years, and has cooked professionally for over twenty years. He has been a passionate student and practitioner of Ayurveda since 2011. He loves to share his global Ayurvedic cuisine with an appreciative audience and has done a lot of cooking for retreats and other health or spirituality focused events.

Melissa lives in Oakland and (lets insert a blurb about you here Melissa)

Our Intention

Our intention is to organize a regular meetup where meditators in the bay area can connect, socialize, support one another, and enjoy each other’s company.

We intend to hold a meetup roughly once a month.

We have spoken to all the initiators we know in the Bay Area, and everyone has demonstrated enthusiasm to support this endeavor! Jai Guru Dev!

In the future, we hope that people will step up to help organize as needed and keep the meetup going. For example, Gabriel may go to Initiator Training in India next year and be gone for 3-4 months.

The Format

The format may evolve over time, but to start with our idea is basically the format described above:

• Arrivals and social time

• Group Meditation (self practice)

• A communal meal either cooked by a chef from the community or as a potluck

• Social time and goodbyes

The most important piece to begin with is having a space to gather. Several people have already expressed interest in hosting future meetups, and if you’d like to offer a space please contact me or Melissa.

The next natural piece is having meditatiors come to attend. That means you! We’d love it if you’d come and join us, and put the word out to other meditators in the bay area.

For first meetup we will be meeting up for dinner, and we may also consider having future meetups at lunch time depending on people’s interest and availability. Lunch is Ayurveda’s preferred time to eat the largest meal of the day, so sometimes that might be nice for more celebratory occasions.

More Details on the Format

Arrivals and Social Time

Arrive any time you’d like within the specified window, and enjoy the company of other meditators!

Group Meditation (Self Practice)

We’ll meditate together with everyone following their own program at their own pace in silence. We ask that if you finish your practice before everyone else is done that you offer noise privacy to anyone who is still practicing.

We have space for ~5-8 people to meditate comfortably with back support using the furniture Melissa has in her home.

Melissa has limited back supports so we ask that if you have a backjack please bring it!

Please arrive at least 5 mins before group med starts so as not to disturb anyone or be rushed :)

Communal Meal

For this first meetup, Gabriel be offering a very delicious seasonal Ayurvedic meal at a cost of 20-30$ sliding scale. You can pay the day of at the venue with Zelle, Venmo, cash, or credit or debit card. If for any reason you are unable to easily pay 20-30$ please come anyway and contribute whatever you can. Gabriel greatly appreciates your support in this regard, as it is likely he will be going to Initiator Training in 2026 and this will help him pay for it.

For future meetups, there will likely be times when Gabriel or another chef will be offering a meal at a reasonable price and times where we will do a potluck.

Socializing and Goodbyes

After dinner will be free time for people to relax and enjoy with hot tea until the gathering naturally peters out or it gets too late and we need to vacate Melissa’s home for her.

See you on November 2nd around ~4pm!

Jai Guru Dev

Gabe & Melissa