Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation

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.

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.

"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!

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.

I love this book!!!

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.

Good quality

cant wait to readi it

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.

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