“The highest value of Buddhist practice is to shine the light of awareness on habits of mind that perpetuate prejudice and discrimination so all may wake up together. This includes learning how we are conditioned to separate ourselves by race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation and other forms of cultural identity.”  (VSZ Diversity Statement)

This season we will take up the concept of “other” and the object-seeking mind. Using our Diversity Statement, we will “study the self”, the object-seeking mind, and our human tendency to “other” that which is different, helping us to see how our practice supports the development of skillful means in turning toward, rather than away from, difficult interactions. Through talks by sangha members and guests, readings and discussion, we will explore together the “harmony of difference and equality.”