Over the last few months, the Insight LA community, and our country as a whole, have been grappling with anti-Black racism and the uncovering of a history of systemic racial injustice. Since the June TDG gathering, the importance of taking wise actions that leads to collective healing has been at the forefront of discussion in our community.
On August 30th, we invite you to join us, as a community of white-identified teachers, facilitators, staff and board members invested in the future of InsightLA, for a daylong training that will offer support during these crucial times. Facilitated by Arinna Weisman, senior Insight Meditation teacher and lifelong activist, and JD Doyle, core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center and Spirit Rock teacher trainee, we will come together and co-create a space to hold our grief, anger and other emotions that belong to all our Buddhist communities grappling with race and white privilege. We will bring our awareness to the unconscious dynamics of ignorance and how it is expressed in personal, cultural and structural ways that reinforce racial injustice and we will build stamina for wise action that decreases harm to ourselves and our community.
We recognize that it may take some effort and scheduling magic for a majority of us to be there, and we hope that you understand the urgency. Each of you is an important member of the Insight LA community and your presence will support the unfolding of our collective wisdom.
This daylong will be an opportunity to investigate our racial conditioning in an open-hearted space by calling in caring for ourselves and each other throughout the day. Our gathering will be conducted using all aspects of our practice to develop personal and organizational strategies and practical skills.
We at InsightLA sincerely hope that this workshop will catalyze the creation of a true multicultural community by addressing the changes needed to bring about true inclusion.
