About me:
I'm Eli Ryn Brown - a Black, queer, and nonbinary communal healing practitioner. My practice is grounded in meditation as an act of abolition, and communal healing as part of the radical rest that helps sustain revolutionary action. I use my martial arts and meditation experience to bring accessible community healing options to marginalized groups and people in need, especially queer and trans people of color.
I am a certified sound healer and have been a Zen practitioner and martial artist for 20 years, instructing in Aikido and community self-defense for the past 10 years. I am currently offering facilitation through the Bhumisparsha Sangha (bhumisparsha.org), certified in teaching the 7 Homecomings practice under Lama Rod Owens, and am a facilitator/instructor for Rest For Resistance (restforresistance.com). I also led the Zen Shin meditation program and was a Certified Minister’s Assistant at the Midwest Buddhist Temple from 2017-2023. I guide various community and martial arts groups and provide sliding-scale sessions to folks seeking guidance and collaboration as they deepen their meditative practices.
TESTIMONIALS
Erik P. - June 2022
"Being a part of Eli’s patreon community has been so grounding and insightful. As a beginner to breathwork and meditation it can be tough to know where to start, but Eli’s sits are always what I come back to. Having such an expansive catalogue of exercises and talks has been such a gift to my practice, I especially enjoy the Guided Sleep Meditation sit. Eli has always made me feel comfortable and heard in our sessions, and answered any questions I’ve had. They are an absolute joy to practice with!"
Kean O. - May 2022
"I cannot express enough how my time working with Eli has impacted my physical, mental and spiritual self. The care and sweetness they bring to each session offers such expansive space for me to drop deeper into my heart. I leave our time together feeling more clear and grounded. I highly recommend them as a spiritual facilitator."
Lee F. - May 2022
"I attended Ryn's Spring Equinox Mind-Body Seminar in March. This was only a few weeks after my father passed away, and the space that Ryn held was healing and full of love. They guided the group through meditations and breathwork that helped me process my big grief. Mourning during a season of growth and rebirth is difficult, and Ryn was able to cultivate a safe space to connect with each other and with our ancestors. I love the newsletters and weekly breath breaks they send through Patreon, the posts they share on Instagram, and the liberation work they do for their communities. There is no shortage of wonderfulness with Ryn and I am delighted to keep learning from them."
Rev. CJ Sokugan Dunford - May 2022
"I had the enormous honor of co-creating Berkeley Buddhist Temple's fourth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial service with Ryn, and I am so grateful for their compassionate care and attention in bringing their own authentic practice to this powerful service. Each of our organizers made a unique offering that reflected the myriad intersections of their identities, and Eli's creativity, their grounding in community healing, and dedication to Buddhist liturgy and practice provided us all with so much stability during an emotional and painful service that also allows us to come together and salve our broken hearts in the love of the Buddha-dharma."
Mary M. - 2021
“Sensei Eli has been a critical part of my daughter’s recovery from anorexia. His weekly meditation sessions have guided her through challenging emotions and improved her ability to engage in her healing. His gentle and affirming style has caused her to adopt meditation as a daily practice and has given her effective tools to reduce feelings of anxiety.”
Tim Platt - 2021
“I’ve recommended Eli’s sessions to everyone I know! Working with Eli has strengthened and deepened my meditation practice profoundly. His guidance is suffused with firm generosity and kindness. His knowledge and expertise is offered with the enthusiasm and encouragement of a friend. In both group and one on one sessions, Eli has been open, responsive, and professional. I’m grateful to have met and to continue to work with Eli!
River Ramirez - 2021
"After meeting Eli for a one on one meditation session I was extremely enthusiastic about continuing my practice with him and sharing him with everyone I know! Practicing with Eli has improved my day to day meditation practice and I often think about lessons from his sessions when I’m in a rut. I’d highly recommend this amazing individual"