As with all forms of suffering, the Dharma offers enormous gifts to meet the ongoing reality of racial suffering. This is no less true for members of the white majority who participate, often unconsciously, in racial harm. The white person’s version of racial suffering is complex and potentially difficult to name, bound as it is in denial, guilt, hatred (even self-hatred) and overwhelm. Dharma practice affords the opportunity to turn towards this suffering and with mindful, loving attention, investigate deeply, dispel our ignorance, allow our hearts to break, and learn to respond with wisdom and compassion.

Please contact Tim Kroll or Mako Voelkel if you are interested in participating in a bi-weekly dharma study group using the WAIC UP! curriculum developed at Sprit Rock. We will hold our first scheduling meeting in early 2020. We plan to meet approximately every other week for eight 2-hour sessions, with readings, talks, and homework in between each session:

• Session 1 – Why are We Here, and Personal Experience with Race 
• Session 2 – Historical Racism
• Session 3 – Institutional Racism
• Session 4 – Using Buddhist Practice to Decolonize our Minds
• Session 5 – Developing a Practice of Seeing Racism in the World Around and Within
• Session 6 – Causes and Conditions – Structural Racism
• Session 7 – Investigating Racism in Our Own Organizations
• Session 8 – Applying Our Spiritual Practice

Other reading:

• Expanding Awareness
• Why People of Color Need Spaces without White People