Waking Up White

Doing Work So Needed in the World

A Class Series

The spiritual path we follow in this life calls us to act on our beliefs and aspirations.  As we strive to become more mindful through the fundamental practices of lovingkindness and compassion, we grow in our awareness of the attachments that hold us back from attainment of the spiritual goals of peace and freedom.  Our journey challenges our deep-rooted learning and unconscious beliefs.  Privilege and our unconscious assumptions and behavior around privilege result in harmful actions to communities of color who do not share the same benefits and privileges of being white in this society.  Insight Community of the Desert is committed to creating and all-inclusive meditation community in the Coachella Valley.  With over three-quarters of the population in Palm Springs identifying as white, we become increasingly aware of the work that needs to be done to create an all-inclusive and welcoming meditation community. 

These are difficult and challenging times in our nation and community.  We have seen the political fueling of racial tensions through the overt actions of a variety of white supremacist organizations and groups.  The path of the Buddha calls us to become aware – aware of our thoughts and actions that are not mindful of ourselves and others.  Furthermore the Buddha called us to a life of compassion and loving kindness through the development of awareness.  This is not a path of separateness or exclusivity.  It is a path of inclusion- a path that is open and welcoming to everyone. 

Waking up White is a 7 part course of commitment and dedication to understanding ourselves as white members of society.  The course challenges us to examine how our position of privilege impacts the lives of others who do not share that same privilege.  The course will challenge our fundamental beliefs in an open, transparent and safe environment of learning and change.  The course will offer readings and interactive exercises which will stimulate the mind and enable us to wake up together in our efforts to build an inclusive community for meditation, care, and loving support.

Open to all ICD sangha and UUCOD congregants, this in-depth program meets seven Saturday mornings (9:30-12:00), on the following dates:  Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 15, Jan 12, Feb 2, Feb 23, Mar 16.  The fee is $75.00 for the course.  There is a sliding scale and scholarships available.  Please click on Register Now! to see the lsiting of the entire fee schedule.