◈ Homepage — http://berkeleyalembic.org/We are seeking a Managing Director. View the job description and requirements here. Skip to Content Events Recordings People Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Welcome to The Alembic A nonprofit center devoted to consciousness culture Hosting classes, events, and workshops in the core domains of meditation, movement, psychedelics, inquiry, and the creative arts. We are a community-focused spiritual learning center – and our core desire is to intensify the kindness, good, magic, and intelligence in the world. We are crafting a broad curriculum that allows individuals to explore a range of modalities, learning from the highest quality instructors in an atmosphere of discernment, play, mutual respect, and scholarly/experiential depth. Our classes, workshops, and special events are led by contemplative masters and scientists, fringe scholars and somatic wizards, imaginal artists and seasoned psychonauts. Think of the Alembic as a transformational festival, without the dust. Imagine Inquire Meditate Move Psychedelicize Integrate Our Special Brew We are hiring! The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is seeking a Managing Director – responsible for implementing our vision, building community, leading and executing marketing strategy and media presence, and building relationships. Learn more UPCOMING EVENTS*UPCOMING EVENTS*UPCOMING EVENTS*UPCOMING EVENTS*UPCOMING EVENTS* UPCOMING EVENTS * See all events Donate The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with EIN 87-3386461. Your donation is appreciated and tax deductible. Donate Stay in touch Learn about our upcoming programs, events, parties and more. Sign Up The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 ◈ Interior Pages — 12 pages crawledProgram Partnerships — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate We are honored to collaborate with many renowned programs in our space. CIIS Psychedelic Program Polaris Insight Center Medicinal Mindfulness Green Yoga Hatha Yoga Shala with Mark Horner & Judy Yu Miriam Peretz Ligmincha International The Rhythm Society Women's Visionary Conference Sacred Garden Community Berkeley Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Connect — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate There are many ways to get involved Visit Us in Berkeley The Alembic address is:  2820 Seventh St,  Berkeley, CA 94710 If you’re driving, there is a very large parking lot where you can park for free. Follow the Alembic signs to our door. For even more detail,  here is a pindrop  of exactly where the entrance is located in the parking lot. Volunteer Usually, helping people out with their spiritual journeys is a bit of a hassle. But not always. For example, you could volunteer at the Alembic, and become a heroic soldier of the neo-dharma, helping to maintain a modern crucible for spiritual transformation. In exchange for a smallish amount of your menial service, the space will remain clean and welcoming, and you’ll get to hang out with cool teachers, cool Alembic people, and anyone else who washes up on our shores. Also, we run volunteer only events sometimes, so you get to be part of an exclusive club––but it’s a good kind of exclusive club, not the kind that hatches world-destroying conspiracies.  There are volunteer opportunities available for all levels of extroversion. Some of our volunteers host events. Others scheme quietly in the dark and avoid eye contact. Choose your own adventure! And, of course, volunteers are not expected to donate to events they’re volunteers at. That would be silly, and we are never silly. If you want to join the volunteer community,  fill out this form .  Propose an Event Does we sound aligned with an event or class you want to host? Then please submit an  event proposal , we’d love to hear from you.  Alembic events are open to the wider Alembic community and shared in our newsletter. If you’d prefer a more private event, see the rental inquiry form, below. To get an idea of what we’re hosting right now, check out our current classes and events . But keep in mind that if it’s not  exactly  like anything we’re hosting right now, that is probably good. We want variety! We’re a pluralistic place, interested in integrating strands from any tradition worth exploring, from modern movement modalities to shamanic revivalism.  However, to maintain the quality of our events, we’re intentionally growing our list of offerings slowly and mindfully, not only considering each event on its own, but considering how it will fit into the whole. So we can’t work with everyone who reaches out, although we deeply appreciate your interest.  Also, it will be  much easier  for us to evaluate your event if you communicate your idea as clearly as possible. If you’re doing “Bodies in Motion at the End of Time,” super cool, but if you don’t tell us whether it’s a meditation course, or a talk, or an art class, we won’t know whether it’s the right fit. Tell us about some of the physical attributes of the situation: who, specifically, will be doing what, specifically. Private Rentals Also! We’re not just for shamans, people also rent the Alembic for parties, weddings, and other human activities. Learn more about our rental opportunities here . Donate The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with EIN 87-3386461. Your donation is appreciated and tax deductible. Make your tax deductible donation here. Show Your Art Details coming soon! Have questions, thoughts or comments? Connect with us Stay in touch Learn about our upcoming programs, events, parties and more. First Name Last Name Email Address Sign Up Thank you! The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Instructors — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Our high quality instructors craft an atmosphere of discernment, play, mutual respect, and scholarly/experiential depth. Tsultrim Allione Sravana Borkataky-Varma Erik Davis Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton Eve Ekman Christian Greer Kathleen Harrison Krisztina Lazar Mariavittoria Mangini Ken McLeod Anne-René Petrarca Tina Rasmussen Henry Shukman Loriel Starr Michael Taft Christopher "Hareesh" Wallis Sam Webster The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Events — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate upcoming events We foster an organic and diverse community of open-minded and open-hearted practitioners committed to curiosity, discernment, mutual discovery, and play. When it comes to worldview, the old motto of the Esalen Institute comes to mind: “no one captures the flag.” Dear Alembic Community Member, We use Momence to manage our calendar of events and ticketing. You can start from scratch here: https://momence.com/sign-up/visitor Or, if set up already, Log in here: https://momence.com/sign-in Once you get in, you can supply a payment method and check your communications settings for your preferences. One convenience is to use the Momence app available through your phone’s app store: Android:  https://momence.com/android-app Apple:  https://momence.com/ios-app Please let me know if this gives you difficulty so that we can support you: [email protected] The Alembic presents Events, Workshops, & Courses our offerings may be sorted by type or, press “ Show All ” to see everything The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Recordings — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate streams Stream a class here, we’ve got tons! in gratitude to our instructors ( who freely offer their recorded teachings ) and our donors ( who make all things possible ). The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Donate — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Support our physical space and programming opportunities We operate as a 501(c)3 and your donations are integral to our organization. $10.00 $25.00 $50.00 $100.00 Custom Amount Please enter an amount $ One-Time Donation Weekly Donation Monthly Donation Quarterly Donation Annual Donation Support us by covering the fees we have to pay 3% Cover the Fee Donate Donate The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with EIN 87-3386461. Your donation is tax deductible. Why give? ✽ Support Spiritual Transformation Your donation helps us maintain a physical space for spiritual transformation for people of all ages, races, genders and income levels. ✽ Fund Kindness, Good & Magic Our core goal is to intensify the kindness, good, magic, and intelligence in the world. Your donation makes you a part of this. ✽ Champion World Renowned Programming Your donations enable us to offer programs with some of the most renowned teachers in the psychedelic and spiritual spheres. Frequently Asked Questions Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes! Absolutely! The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with EIN 87-3386461. Your donation is appreciated and tax deductible. You will receive a receipt of your donation via email. Where does my donation go? Your donation goes to securing our space, contributes to our operating costs and promotes our mission by providing access to space and programming to anyone. Can I volunteer or get more involved? We are always looking for volunteers. Visit our Connect page to learn more. Can I donate in honor or in memory of someone? Yes, please let us know if your donation honors someone special. The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Press — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate The Alembic in the News Lucid News , August 30, 2024, A Community Harvest of Visionary Art Lucid News , June 12, 2024, Tram Day Celebrates Female LSD Pioneer Susi Ramstein Lucid News , November 18, 2023, Looking Beyond the Psychedelic Renaissance Berkeleyside , October 6, 2023, Brain Researcher heads a spiritual center whose programs hail from many traditions The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Welcome to The Alembic A nonprofit center devoted to consciousness culture Hosting classes, events, and workshops in the core domains of meditation, movement, psychedelics, inquiry, and the creative arts. We are a community-focused spiritual learning center – and our core desire is to intensify the kindness, good, magic, and intelligence in the world. We are crafting a broad curriculum that allows individuals to explore a range of modalities, learning from the highest quality instructors in an atmosphere of discernment, play, mutual respect, and scholarly/experiential depth. Our classes, workshops, and special events are led by contemplative masters and scientists, fringe scholars and somatic wizards, imaginal artists and seasoned psychonauts. Think of the Alembic as a transformational festival, without the dust. Imagine Imagination is a core feature of consciousness, whether we regard it in psychological, aesthetic, or esoteric terms. Imagination is how we dream ourselves into the world with others, human and nonhuman, earthly and cosmic. Without the richness and surprise of the imagination, our practice is also likely to be dry, dogmatic, and not much fun. A commitment to the imagination means a commitment to creative innovation, to the arts, and to cultivating and expressing our own visionary capacities. Inquire Perhaps our favorite term for the path is inquiry. Inquiry implies a curious and courageous enjoyment of experiment and investigation, whether we are probing our feelings, assessing claims made by spiritual teachers, deconstructing the self, or encountering the world around us. Inquiry respects both the mystery — the koan of reality — and the amazing fact that sometimes we get answers and know stuff. Inquiry is open, but it is also discerning. Meditate Our approach to meditation is largely rooted in Eastern traditions but makes room for Western contemplative practices, contemporary innovations, and discoveries drawn from neuroscience. We know that meditation can provide healing and pleasure, and even a distinct cognitive edge in our increasingly complex world. We understand these gifts within a deeper framework that embraces awakening, insight, visionary encounter, and transformative compassion.  Move Alchemy teaches that spirit and matter are deeply intertwined. At the Alembic, physical movement is as important as meditation, and our programs aim for variety and experiment. So while we offer popular practices like vinyasa yoga and qigong, our program stretches to include dance, somatics, energy work, and interactive movement practices. Psychedelicize The Alembic is actively shaping the conversation about psychedelics as a “skillful means” of awakening and transformation. The Chalice, our popular monthly psychedelic salon, is devoted to the cultural, historical, poetic, ancestral, and spiritual dimension of visionary plants and medicines. We have hosted the University of California Berkeley’s Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program, training sessions of the California Institute of Integral Studies, and the Polaris Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program. We also are happy to host the Sunday Night Dinners, a gathering of thought leaders in the psychedelic community. We also maintain a strict policy against the use of scheduled substances in the space. Integrate The Alembic is devoted to a pluralistic, open-ended, and open-hearted approach to human consciousness. The extraordinary varieties of religious, spiritual, and secular experience all contribute to a broad and discriminating “consciousness culture.” We are inspired by earlier centers that celebrate eclectic exploration and the diversity of human bodymind practices, including the New York Open Center, the Omega Institute, the Ojai Institute, and the Esalen Institute, whose core motto we take very seriously (and very playfully): no-one captures the flag . The path is not to find the “right" path, but to explore and integrate as much as possible the many sides of the beings and creatures and cultures we are.  Our Special Brew We are hiring! The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is seeking a Managing Director – responsible for implementing our vision, building community, leading and executing marketing strategy and media presence, and building relationships. Learn more UPCOMING EVENTS * UPCOMING EVENTS * UPCOMING EVENTS * See all events Donate The Berkeley Alembic Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with EIN 87-3386461. Your donation is appreciated and tax deductible. Donate Stay in touch Learn about our upcoming programs, events, parties and more. First Name Last Name Email Address Sign Up Thank you! The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Advisory Board — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Meet the people who imagined this space and keep it focused on its values and goals. Danielle Engelman As Director of Programs for The Long Now Foundation , Danielle Engelman pro duces the monthly Seminars About Long-term Thinking series as well as Long Now’s other public programs and events such as Brian Eno’s 77 Million Paintings, Jem Finer’s Longplayer; 1,000 years in 3 simultaneous acts and The Mechanicrawl. Danielle developed Long Now’s membership program which was launched in 2006 and now includes 4500 members in more than forty countries. She continues to oversee the program and also edits the Quarterly News for Long Now members. Prior to Long Now, Danielle was Project Manager for the installation of Sa n Francisco’s beloved site-specific sculpture Defenestration by artist Brian Goggin. She has worked with the Burning Man Project, the SF Fringe Festival, and numerous other arts organizations in the Bay Area. She co-created and co-produced the long-running living artist series The Tentacle Sessions with Laughing Squid. A lifelong resident of the San Francisco-Bay Area, Danielle studied Ancien t Near Eastern Art and Architecture at U.C. Berkeley, is a trained jeweler and metal-worker, and worked as a teacher and school administrator in Montessori education.  Board of Trustees Michael Taft  Michael W. Taft is a meditation teacher, author, and podcaster. Michael teaches meditation courses, retreats, and individuals worldwide, and is the author of several books, including the bestselling The Mindful Geek . He is the founder and host of the Deconstructing Yourself podcast. From Zen temples in Japan to yogi caves in India, Michael has been meditating for over thirty five years and has extensive experience in both Buddhist and Hindu Tantric practice. Michael is a co-founder of the groundbreaking Alembic center in Berkeley. He was previously editor-in-chief of Being Human, and was the long-time editorial director of Sounds True . Michael lives with his family in the Bay Area. Erik Davis Erik Davis is an author, award-winning journalist, sometimes podcaster, and popular speaker based in San Francisco. He is the author of five books, including High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the 70s ; Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica ; The Visionary State: A Journey through California’s Spiritual Landscape ; and the 33 1/3 volume Led Zeppelin IV . His first and best-known book remains TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information , a cult classic of visionary media studies that’s still in print. Erik’s scholarly and popular essays on California, music, technoculture, drugs, and spirituality have appeared in scores of books, magazines, and journals, and his writing has been translated into over a dozen languages. Davis has spoken widely at universities, conferences, retreat centers, and festivals, and has been interviewed by CNN, the BBC, NPR, and the New York Times. He graduated from Yale University in 1988, and earned his PhD in religious studies at Rice University in 2015. He currently writes the Substack publication Burning Shore . Learn more about Erik  Our Advisory Board Sravana Borkataky-Varma, Advisory Board Member Allyson Grey, Advisory Board Member David Presti, Advisory Board Member Michael Ziegler, Advisory Board Member Shamil Chandaria, Advisory Board Member The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Instructors — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Our high quality instructors craft an atmosphere of discernment, play, mutual respect, and scholarly/experiential depth. Tsultrim Allione Sravana Borkataky-Varma Erik Davis Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton Eve Ekman Christian Greer Kathleen Harrison Krisztina Lazar Mariavittoria Mangini Ken McLeod Anne-René Petrarca Tina Rasmussen Henry Shukman Loriel Starr Michael Taft Christopher "Hareesh" Wallis Sam Webster The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Rent the Alembic — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Room Rentals 🚪 Room Rentals 🚪 Room Rentals 🚪 We’re not just for shamans, people also rent the Alembic for parties, weddings, and other human activities. We have four spaces for rent, or can rent out the entire venue. View individual room details and a site walkthrough below. Perks: Use of our shared welcome lobby and tea station. Plentiful cushions and chairs available upon request. Ample parking lot for attendee use. Request Rental SOL (1232 total sq ft) Sol provides a large, warm, airy space with soft, indirect light. A wall of windows above our prop storage area provides ample light. A riser at one end of the space offers a raised area for intructors, decorated with art and plants. View the full spec sheet here. Wood flooring East facing windows and an emergency exit door to outside studio Props available: Backjacks, zabutons, zafus, chairs, tables Built in sound system and setup for video streaming, 1 handheld mic and 2 headset mics No shoes in studio 1 hour minimum $210/hr, $890 daily View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize LUNA (1274 sq ft) A long, rectangular large studio with an intimate vibe. With a lovely skylight and sprung floors, this space is perfect for movement, dance or ritual. View the full spec sheet here. Sprung wood flooring Skylight Emergency exit door to outside studio Props available: Backjacks, zabutons, zafus, chairs, tables Coat closet and cubby storage outside studio door for personal belongings PA system No shoes in studio 1 hour minimum $150/hr, $650 daily View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize MERCURY (650 sq ft) This is a mid-size classroom for intimate events – a space for focused gathering and projects. Without windows, but well lit by a skylight. Wood flooring Skylight Props available: Backjacks, zabutons, zafus, chairs, tables No shoes in studio 1 hour minimum $90/hr, $360 daily View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize TEA LOUNGE (600 sq ft) This warm, cozy space is covered in rugs and set up with low seating. Moroccan doorways offer small nooks to enjoy tea and conversation. Wood flooring with overlapping rugs Skylight and high windows Low tables and seating Artwork and bookshelves line the walls Emergency exit door 1 hour minimum $90/hr, $360 daily View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize ENJOY A SITE WALKTHROUGH REQUEST A RENTAL Rent the Full Space ( 5500 sq. ft) Exclusive use of the whole space is $500/hr or $1770/day. Events that go past 6pm will incur a $100 additional overnight fee added to the daily rate. Please get in touch with us for special weekday rates. BIPOC or underserved groups, please reach out for discounted rates. Ground Rules No shoes inside our studio spaces. No consumption of substances without prior approval. Candles and Incense are allowed. Please Note:   The Alembic does not advertise rentals in any way—whether in our newsletter, on the website, or within the space itself. Cancellations Cancellations made less than 4 weeks (28 calendar days) prior to the event forfeit the deposit. Cancellations must be made in writing via email ( [email protected] ). Request a Rental Have more questions about our spaces? Connect with us The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026 Advisory Board — Alembic 0 Skip to Content Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings People Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Open Menu Close Menu Events Recordings Folder: People Back Instructors Board of Trustees Advisory Board Partnerships Press Rent The Alembic Connect Donate Meet the people who imagined this space and keep it focused on its values and goals. Danielle Engelman As Director of Programs for The Long Now Foundation , Danielle Engelman pro duces the monthly Seminars About Long-term Thinking series as well as Long Now’s other public programs and events such as Brian Eno’s 77 Million Paintings, Jem Finer’s Longplayer; 1,000 years in 3 simultaneous acts and The Mechanicrawl. Danielle developed Long Now’s membership program which was launched in 2006 and now includes 4500 members in more than forty countries. She continues to oversee the program and also edits the Quarterly News for Long Now members. Prior to Long Now, Danielle was Project Manager for the installation of Sa n Francisco’s beloved site-specific sculpture Defenestration by artist Brian Goggin. She has worked with the Burning Man Project, the SF Fringe Festival, and numerous other arts organizations in the Bay Area. She co-created and co-produced the long-running living artist series The Tentacle Sessions with Laughing Squid. A lifelong resident of the San Francisco-Bay Area, Danielle studied Ancien t Near Eastern Art and Architecture at U.C. Berkeley, is a trained jeweler and metal-worker, and worked as a teacher and school administrator in Montessori education.  Board of Trustees Michael Taft  Michael W. Taft is a meditation teacher, author, and podcaster. Michael teaches meditation courses, retreats, and individuals worldwide, and is the author of several books, including the bestselling The Mindful Geek . He is the founder and host of the Deconstructing Yourself podcast. From Zen temples in Japan to yogi caves in India, Michael has been meditating for over thirty five years and has extensive experience in both Buddhist and Hindu Tantric practice. Michael is a co-founder of the groundbreaking Alembic center in Berkeley. He was previously editor-in-chief of Being Human, and was the long-time editorial director of Sounds True . Michael lives with his family in the Bay Area. Erik Davis Erik Davis is an author, award-winning journalist, sometimes podcaster, and popular speaker based in San Francisco. He is the author of five books, including High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the 70s ; Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica ; The Visionary State: A Journey through California’s Spiritual Landscape ; and the 33 1/3 volume Led Zeppelin IV . His first and best-known book remains TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information , a cult classic of visionary media studies that’s still in print. Erik’s scholarly and popular essays on California, music, technoculture, drugs, and spirituality have appeared in scores of books, magazines, and journals, and his writing has been translated into over a dozen languages. Davis has spoken widely at universities, conferences, retreat centers, and festivals, and has been interviewed by CNN, the BBC, NPR, and the New York Times. He graduated from Yale University in 1988, and earned his PhD in religious studies at Rice University in 2015. He currently writes the Substack publication Burning Shore . Learn more about Erik  Our Advisory Board Sravana Borkataky-Varma, Advisory Board Member Allyson Grey, Advisory Board Member David Presti, Advisory Board Member Michael Ziegler, Advisory Board Member Shamil Chandaria, Advisory Board Member The Alembic 2820 Seventh Street Berkeley, CA [email protected] (510) 631 -2975 ©2026