Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness: Using the Dharma to Dismantle Oppression

Opening Orientation Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024

2 p.m – 4 p.m. Pacific Time, online

“Without inner change there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.”
― angel Kyodo williams

• This orientation is required to attend Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness, which begins January 26. We’ll record the orientation in case you can’t attend live.

• ADW classes will be held online. They’re once a month for six months: January 26 – June 22, 2025, 2 to 4 p.m. Pacific time.

• Signup for the six-month course closes January 15, 2025.

WHAT IS IT?

This session is an introduction to Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness, being offered in 2025 for the ninth year by Zen Community of Oregon.

Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness is structured as an affinity group for white people to investigate their karma and explore the elements that have contributed to the often unconscious identity as “white.” We explore in this way with an understanding that our own liberation/awakening is intimately bound to one another. Participants in the ADW affinity group will learn about whiteness, privilege, and racism as well as turn inward to engage in deeply reflective spiritual practice.

Affinity groups are one way to lay groundwork to enlarge our understanding and prepare us to build authentic relationships and alliances. Buddhist author and educator Ruth King eloquently describes the value of affinity groups for white people as follows:

“White people need to see race and understand themselves as racial beings with roots and a collective history of power and privilege. In a racial affinity group, white people can discover together their group identity and discern its privileges and impact without the aid of and dependence on people of color. Together, whites cultivate racial solidarity and compassion for themselves and support each other in sitting with the discomfort, confusion, and numbness that often accompanies racial awakening.”

This course is not limited to Buddhists. It’s guided by volunteers who are practicing members of the Zen Community of Oregon as well as graduates of Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness.

WHEN & WHERE?

The course itself will be held monthly on Sundays, via Zoom. Sessions are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time. The complete schedule is as follows (all times are Pacific time zone):

• December 15, 2024, 2 to 4 p.m. Required online orientation

• January 26, 2025, 2 to 4 p.m.

• February 23, 2 to 4 p.m.

• March 23, 2 to 4 p.m.

• April 27, 2 to 4 p.m.

• May 18, 2 to 4 p.m.

• June 22, 2 to 4 p.m.

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR THE ORIENTATION?

Please click on this link to RSVP for the required orientation, Sunday, December 15, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. Pacific time. (You’ll receive the zoom link the day of the event.)

The orientation is important to help you understand the structure and guidelines for the course that help create a strong container for what can be deep personal work.

Before the December 15 orientation, if possible please read:
– Healing the Broken Body of Sangha
– White Anti-Racism Affinity Groups: I Used to Be a Skeptic, But Now I’m an Evangelist

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR THE FULL COURSE?

After attending the orientation or watching a recording — it will be sent out to those who RSVP’d as soon as possible after December 15 — you decide whether to make the commitment to participate in the six-month curriculum. You’ll be able to register for the full course by signing up via this form.

Sign up closes January 15, 2025.

If you have questions about the course, please email the facilitators at adw.zco@gmail.com.