Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation
Product ID: 45006138
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Igniting a long-overdue dialogue about how the legacy of racial injustice and white supremacy plays out in society at large and Buddhist communities in particular, this urgent call to action outlines a new dharma that takes into account the ways that racism and privilege prevent our collective awakening. The authors traveled around the country to spark an open conversation that brings together the Black prophetic tradition and the wisdom of the Dharma. Bridging the world of spirit and activism, they urge a compassionate response to the systemic, state-sanctioned violence and oppression that has persisted against black people since the slave era. With national attention focused on the recent killings of unarmed black citizens and the response of the Black-centered liberation groups such as Black Lives Matter, Radical Dharma demonstrates how social transformation and personal, spiritual liberation must be articulated and inextricably linked. Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Jasmine Syedullah represent a new voice in American Buddhism. Offering their own histories and experiences as illustrations of the types of challenges facing dharma practitioners and teachers who are different from those of the past five decades, they ask how teachings that transcend color, class, and caste are hindered by discrimination and the dynamics of power, shame, and ignorance. Their illuminating argument goes beyond a demand for the equality and inclusion of diverse populations to advancing a new dharma that deconstructs rather than amplifies systems of suffering and prepares us to weigh the shortcomings not only of our own minds but also of our communities. They forge a path toward reconciliation and self-liberation that rests on radical honesty, a common ground where we can drop our need for perfection and propriety and speak as souls. In a society where profit rules, people's value is determined by the color of their skin, and many voices—including queer voices—are silenced, Radical Dharma recasts the concepts of engaged spirituality, social transformation, inclusiveness, and healing. Review: Amazing teachings that have given me language and changed my life. - Some time ago, I was involved with white "spiritual" communities of Eastern practices, mainly Buddhism and Daoism. However, there would come a time when I'd feel as if these teachers of these amazing spiritual teachings completely stopped at social justice issues. As a marginalized person, I felt that this lack of awareness of racial issues was offensive, insensitive, and alienating. I ended up leaving my spiritual communities, and for a while felt disillusioned by Eastern Spirituality in America as a whole. But I knew there had to be people out there who were like me -- people who felt hurt by the system, yet found a way to liberate themselves through Dharma practice. And after a short google search, I encountered this book and bought it right away. Within the first few pages, I couldn't believe it. The authors all spoke in a language that I wasn't familiar with, but still rang true to my heart. The first few pages hit me so hard that I started crying with hope, that people out there understood me, and were able to give me language for my pain. Since I finished the book, I've found my personal Dharma practice to be stronger and deeper, and I don't feel so alone. Thank you Rev angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Dr. Jasmine Syedullah for this amazing work. I'm truly grateful. Review: If at first you don’t succeed - I purchased this book in 2017. I learned that I had much to unlearn. And that the responsibility of that unlearning fell squarely on my shoulders. It’s now June 2020 and I’ve pulled it from my book shelf to read it again. I’ve learned that my intention to change in 2017 eventually gave way to seeking my own personal comfort afforded by my white privilege. So let’s try this again. Systematic change requires that I no longer remain neutral. This book is a fantastic tool for this intense lifelong process. Excellent read on race, liberation and love.
| Best Sellers Rank | #106,742 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #36 in Buddhist History (Books) #37 in LGBTQ+ Demographic Studies #192 in Discrimination & Racism |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 611 Reviews |
S**Z
Amazing teachings that have given me language and changed my life.
Some time ago, I was involved with white "spiritual" communities of Eastern practices, mainly Buddhism and Daoism. However, there would come a time when I'd feel as if these teachers of these amazing spiritual teachings completely stopped at social justice issues. As a marginalized person, I felt that this lack of awareness of racial issues was offensive, insensitive, and alienating. I ended up leaving my spiritual communities, and for a while felt disillusioned by Eastern Spirituality in America as a whole. But I knew there had to be people out there who were like me -- people who felt hurt by the system, yet found a way to liberate themselves through Dharma practice. And after a short google search, I encountered this book and bought it right away. Within the first few pages, I couldn't believe it. The authors all spoke in a language that I wasn't familiar with, but still rang true to my heart. The first few pages hit me so hard that I started crying with hope, that people out there understood me, and were able to give me language for my pain. Since I finished the book, I've found my personal Dharma practice to be stronger and deeper, and I don't feel so alone. Thank you Rev angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Dr. Jasmine Syedullah for this amazing work. I'm truly grateful.
R**Y
If at first you don’t succeed
I purchased this book in 2017. I learned that I had much to unlearn. And that the responsibility of that unlearning fell squarely on my shoulders. It’s now June 2020 and I’ve pulled it from my book shelf to read it again. I’ve learned that my intention to change in 2017 eventually gave way to seeking my own personal comfort afforded by my white privilege. So let’s try this again. Systematic change requires that I no longer remain neutral. This book is a fantastic tool for this intense lifelong process. Excellent read on race, liberation and love.
K**N
Life-changing! World-bettering!
"Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation" will change your life + help you to make your difference in creating a more loving, just + truly liberated world, free of the white supremacy, patriarchy, heteronormativity + all forms of bigotry + systemic inequalities that infect us all. Please read this book + share it widely among the people in your life + then engage with + support the amazing work that Reverend angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens + Dr. Jasmine Syedullah are doing now + everyday to guide us to where we need to go. Much love + deep gratitude to them for their teachings + the example they provide for cultivating a truly free, loving + liberated world!
M**S
I like the focus on community and the focus on discussion ...
Several different perspectives are shared within this book. There are essays and discussions. I think this is a fairly positive book. It sees hope in the future of America even with the healing that the USA still needs to do with it's people. I had a bit of a hard time relating sometimes because I'm not as peaceable as the folks in this book. I feel the book would suggest self reflection on that. I struggled also with some of the spiritual components of this book. I don't consider myself to be a spiritual person and I'm an atheist. So, I was just along for the ride on some parts of the book. I like the focus on community and the focus on discussion and on self reflection and self care. But I felt that there was more of a need for direction for this book. Quotes: "The tiptoeing around race and other forms of difference as if in fear of waking a sleeping lion is one of the most subtly toxic attributes of whiteness in our culture right now." -Jasmine Syedullah "Love is the wish for myself and others to be happy. Love transcends our need to control the recipient of love. I love not because I need something in return. I love not because I want to be loved back, but because I see and understand love as being an expression of the spaciousness I experience when I am challenging my egoic fixation by thinking about the welfare of others. I go where I am loved. I go where I am allowed to express love. In loving, I have no expectations."-Lama Rod Owens "Predatory capitalist greed has deeply ingrained a self-worth confusion into our psyche We associate our value as human beings with our financial worth. Our relationships are governed by the shadow game of acquisition. We can never have enough. The result is a devastating disconnect to a felt sense of our experience." -Rev. angel Kyodo williams If this sounds like something you would enjoy reading check it out.
L**O
Racial Justice & The Need for Collective Liberation
This book was transformative for me: as a white person who wants racial justice, as a Buddhist and mindfulness practioner, and as a human being. This book is a call for our collective liberation and is a necessary read for all spiritual people who want to live in a world where everyone is free. I strongly recommend it for fellow white people to own our history and be mindful in the present so we can move forward.
D**G
How will the Dharma take root in the west? Read this book!
This book brings all practitioners into stark recognition of the fundamental dualism of racism, which we are steeped in by virtue of our culture and the systems created to sustain it. The authors open a path which supports both inner liberation and outer liberation, understanding Black liberation as part of the fundamental ground of our Dharma practice. Refusing an "us and them" paradigm, Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Sensei, and her co-authors are long-time committed practitioners who offer us all an incredible opportunity to move through to more authentic practice and connection. As a self-identified white practitioner of Buddhist meditation, Radical Dharma continually opens me to the constrictions that otherwise keep me separate. It challenges my attempts at perfectionistic performances of "goodness," and urges me toward true liberation rather than unwittingly imagining I can protect a corner of privilege while on an enlightening path. Radical Dharma encourages us all to move together toward collective liberation in an embodied, relational way, allowing the Dharma to penetrate us and offer it's healing potential for all. It is courageous, critical work. It offers us perhaps the most potent opportunity we have for the Buddha's Dharma to take root in the West, particularly in our country, because it wholeheartedly recognizes how split we are and have been.
N**O
10/10 ⭐️
I love this book!!!
D**Y
The most important book I’ve read all year.
What to do as a sentient and somewhat conscious being on this troubled planet today? If staying stuck in rage and paralyzed by fear does not appeal to you, reading this book may be helpful. Its authors discuss the work they have done and continue to do to in Buddhist communities. They address race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and religious background both from their own life experience as well as in the wider context of US history and the history of Buddhist communities in the US. They discuss the connections between individual practice, community, and political activism. And they do so in ways that are accessible to anyone who seeks liberation from the false ideas of separate identity. I imagine that having a basic understanding of Buddhist teaching probably would be helpful for readers but I found the writing very clear, and a brief glossary is included at the end of the book. Buddhist or not, here we are. What if we practiced loving kindness? What if we lived Radical Dharma?
C**A
Good
Good quality
M**O
a must read
cant wait to readi it
S**H
Not anything-ist? Really? Read this!
Anyone who thinks they're not at all racist, sexist, homophobic or biased by gender identification; anyone who thinks they essentially don't discriminate unfairly in any way, needs to read this book. You might not agree with every opinion stated. But it will make you think. It will likely make you uncomfortable. If you have a social conscience, read it. Written from a Zen Buddhist point of view, but the Zen Buddhism is not at all overpowering or intrusive. Essential reading for any contemporary thinking person.
J**N
Wunderbar
Endlich mal ein Buch von Personen die selber qieer /poc und buddhistisch sind und schildern wie ihr Zugang beziehungsweise ihre Perspektive ist ich hab mich als queerer mensch der selber Buddhismus praktiziert sehr gesehen gefühlt aber es ist nicht nur ein Buch für queers und üpcs sondern für jeden mal zu empfehlen zu lesen auch was ist immer noch für Ausschlüsse im Buddhismus gibt
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