Sarah O’Gara shares how she became a racist; learning these habits of mind from her family and the white supremacist culture into which she was born. She reflects on how her Buddhist practice supports and informs her efforts to live now as an anti-racist. She invites others to share reflections on their own path.

After the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, sangha members Doralee Grindler Katonah and Linda Dekker created a curriculum, arising out of Buddhist practice, to explore an appropriate response to the continuing violence against people of color in America. The first step was “to study the self”, and also the causes and conditions that created and perpetuate a culture of white supremacy, white privilege, and structural racism embedded in our laws. It was with the support of her sangha sisters that Sarah started on this journey. Download class syllabus here: White Privilege and the Dharma

Sarah O’Gara has been a member of Valley Streams Zen Sangha since 2007 and currently serves on the Board of Directors, the Practice Committee, and the Dōan-ryo.

Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo in the Wind Zen Center in Sunnyvale, California. She was lay ordained in 2008 and priest ordained in 2019. She served as head student for the Spring practice period at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in May 2022. She offers Practice Interviews upon request.

*Zoom link to program

We offer a Well-Being Ceremony on the third Monday of every month to remember friends, family, neighbors, pets and people of the world who are ill, facing a recent loss, or struggling with some difficulty in their lives. Please send the names of those you wish to be remembered to: Parāvrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (Ino@valleystreamszen.org) by the Sunday evening prior.

Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk, group discussion, or practice circle. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us. If this is your first visit please arrive at least 15 minutes early for a brief orientation.