Buddhist Practice and the Transformation of Racism:
A Three-Part Class: July 9, 16, and 23
At this time when a deepened commitment to address and end racism in its many manifestations is arising for many, we explore how Buddhist practice can support this commitment. We’ll work, in this series of talks, discussions, and experiential practices, with the traditional training model of developing in wisdom, meditation, and ethics, focusing in three successive weeks on each of the three. We’ll ground ourselves in wisdom perspectives applied to racism, particularly related to seeing with some depth how racism is linked to greed, hatred, and delusion, with the aim of ending racism as social dukkha. We’ll work with the meditative practices of mindfulness, compassion, and empathy in investigating and transforming our conditioning, and helping us to be more skillful with the pain and grief that arise connected with racism. And we’ll emphasize ethical practice as the foundation of skillful action—in our communication, in our communities, and in our society. Each week will include guidance for reading and experiential practices between sessions, and we’ll suggest, at the end of the three weeks, ways to continue, for those who are interested.
Part two July 16 6:30-8:30pm
The second session will focus on using mindfulness, compassion, and other meditative and reflective practices to help us understand our own conditioning. These practices play a significant role in transforming racism. There will be a brief summary of what was covered in the first session.
To deepen your experience you are encouraged to work with the “inquiry” suggested between session #1 and session #2, including a brief reading and reflection on several questions.
CLICK HERE to go to the Resource page which includes the suggested Inquiry and Reading as well as a link to last week's Dharma Talk.
Please remember to support these priceless teachings by offering dana to our special guest, Donald. (see below)
WHEN & WHERE
Thursday July 9, 16, and 23
6:30-8:30pm PST (Current Arizona Time)
On Zoom
To enter the meeting click on the button below and enter the passcode: sangha
Phone option listed below as well.
PASSCODE: sangha
COST
Dana for Donald.
May donate through paypal or by credit card on Donald’s website by clicking on the button below. Please use “Family and Friends” rather than standard “merchant” transaction. You may send a check by mail to the address below the button.
For donations made to IMT designated for the Thursday Night Meditation Group during July 9 and 16, IMT will be sending a check to Donald.
CHECK: Mail check made out to Donald Rothberg to mailing address:
Donald Rothberg
1505 Holly Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
RESOURCE LIST
Reading List
Weekly Explorations
Class Recordings
ZOOM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/629871753pwd=TTVkVzAycXRpQkVDSWVJUTFVSTAvQT09 Meeting ID: 629 871 753
Passcode: sangha
If you prefer to connect by phone, dial in with any of the following numbers, then enter the meeting ID and passcode below.
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +
1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 629 871 753
Passcode: 390024
Questions about Zoom?
Zoom video tutorial (1 min): here.
Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., a member of the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Northern California, teaches classes, groups, and retreats on concentration and insight practice, lovingkindness practice, transforming the judgmental mind, mindful communication, working skillfully with conflict, and socially engaged Buddhism. He has practiced Insight Meditation since 1976, and has also received training in Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra practice, body-based psychotherapy, and trauma work. He has helped to guide many six-month to two-year training programs in socially engaged spirituality, both Buddhist-based and interfaith, and is the author of The Engaged Spiritual Life: A Buddhist Approach to Transforming Ourselves and the World. Donald lives in Berkeley, California and has been visiting and teaching in Tucson for the last 10 years.