East Bay/Bay Area temple or church open late in the evenings?
October 19, 2017 10:05 AM Subscribe
Do people know of any temples, churches, or spaces of worship in the Bay Area (preferably the East Bay, but will consider San Francisco) that are open later in the evenings, around 8-9pm?
I'm looking for a church or temple space that allows for people to come sit quietly and meditatively in the evenings by themselves. I'd be going after work so places that are only open in the daytimes don't work. Something akin to the Buddhist Hsi Lai temple in Los Angeles County would be wonderful--i.e., some space that contains spaciousness, silence, and a sense of reverence, faith, and peace.
Here are some places I'm aware of in the East Bay that are in the area of what I'm looking for but don't quite fit the bill:
- East Bay Meditation Center: Is open in the evenings most nights of the week, but isn't quite on point because programming happens on most nights of the week. On nights of the week when there isn't a group meeting, the Center is closed, as far as I know.
- Berkeley Unitarian Church: This sounds like it'd be a wonderful space, but it closes at 5pm everyday, according to its website.
Thank you!
I'm looking for a church or temple space that allows for people to come sit quietly and meditatively in the evenings by themselves. I'd be going after work so places that are only open in the daytimes don't work. Something akin to the Buddhist Hsi Lai temple in Los Angeles County would be wonderful--i.e., some space that contains spaciousness, silence, and a sense of reverence, faith, and peace.
Here are some places I'm aware of in the East Bay that are in the area of what I'm looking for but don't quite fit the bill:
- East Bay Meditation Center: Is open in the evenings most nights of the week, but isn't quite on point because programming happens on most nights of the week. On nights of the week when there isn't a group meeting, the Center is closed, as far as I know.
- Berkeley Unitarian Church: This sounds like it'd be a wonderful space, but it closes at 5pm everyday, according to its website.
Thank you!
Though I've never been, the Mormon Temple in Oakland is supposed to be beautiful, with gorgeous views.
There may be restrictions on entering the Temple itself, but the website says they welcome visitors daily until 9 pm.
posted by China Grover at 11:32 AM on October 19, 2017
There may be restrictions on entering the Temple itself, but the website says they welcome visitors daily until 9 pm.
posted by China Grover at 11:32 AM on October 19, 2017
Berkeley Quakers meet in the evening a few times a month but not as late as you'd like.
posted by shoesietart at 12:02 AM on October 21, 2017
posted by shoesietart at 12:02 AM on October 21, 2017
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I believe Berkely Unitarian closes early because it rents out to other organizations; I know a couple of Pagan groups that have regular events there.
Looking around, I find a lot of "open one weeknight for meditation," but that might be too much like a scheduled event rather than open to the public for quiet personal contemplations.
Bay Zen Center - 3824 Grand Ave, Oakland; public Wednesday evening meditations; unclear whether other evenings are available for drop-ins.
Oakland Zen community - 5463 College Avenue, Oakland; Wednesday evenings and weekends.
Berkeley Shambhala Center - 2288 Fulton St. Ste 202, Berkeley; Wednesday nights (I'm sensing a theme here); Tuesday nights with Oakland Shambhala at the Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St.
Berkeley Zen Center - 1931 Russell St, Berkeley; has evening meditations that start at 5:40.
Won Buddhist Meditation Temple (of Berkeley, although it's not actually in Berkeley) - 535 61st St, Oakland; Thursday evening meditations
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 11:25 AM on October 19, 2017