Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out

Regardless of race, we must all concern ourselves with both intent and impact and do what we can to wake up and minimize harm of others and ourselves.

In a Mindful of Race training program following the 2016 election, several white men expressed concern that they were being treated as Trump supporters when they weren’t. They didn’t want what they felt was such a negative image to be projected onto them just because they were white. I waited a few moments before responding. Then I simply said, “We

When white nationalists are the only whites talking about white group identity, it can force other whites to avoid claiming whiteness out of a fear of association. What is needed are more conscious white people to talk about themselves as a racial group.

We can strike back, or we can pause and tune into the suffering that is being displayed.

After meditating, I offer a prayer of gratitude dedicating the benefit of my practice to all conscious beings throughout the world. I then blow out my candle. I may journal what I am feeling and thinking, and I may even outline my day.

For the next week, I will not offer advice unless I am asked.

can result through the practice of mindfulness meditation: regulating the body, attuning to others, balancing emotions, being flexible in our responses, soothing fear, creating empathy, cultivating more understanding, gaining awareness of our morals, and achieving heightened intuition.

Whether we smile inward or outward, the mind and heart respond well to kindness. The power of friendliness has an immediate impact on our body, our mind, and our nervous system. Research tells us that the feel-good neurotransmitters of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine are all released when we smile. Friendliness and kindness are natural inner re

GUIDED PRACTICE FOR R: RECOGNIZE Inquiry: What’s happening? What’s obvious in this moment? Practice: Noticing and naming