Ruth King

Mindful of Race

"Racism is a heart disease," writes Ruth King, "and it's curable." Exploring a crucial topic seldom addressed in meditation instruction, this revered teacher takes to her pen to shine a compassionate, provocative, and practical light into a deeply neglected and world-changing domain profoundly relevant to all of us. With Mindful of Race, Ruth King offers: Tend first to our suffering, listen to what it is trying to teach us, and direct its energies most effectively for change. Here, she invites us to explore: Ourselves as racial beings, the dynamics of oppression, and our role in racism • The power of paying homage to our most turbulent emotions, and perceiving the wisdom they hold • Key mindfulness tools to understand and engage with racial tension • Identifying our "soft spots" of fear and vulnerability—how we defend them and how to heal them • Embracing discomfort, which is a core competency for transformation • How our thoughts and emotions "rigidify" our sense of self—and how to return to the natural flow of who we are • Body, breath, and relaxation practices to befriend and direct our inner resources • Identifying our most sensitive "activation points" and tending to them with caring awareness • "It’s not just your pain"—the generational constellations of racial rage and ignorance and how to work with them • And many other compelling topics Drawing on her expertise as a meditation teacher and diversity consultant, King helps readers of all backgrounds examine with fresh eyes the complexity of racial identity and the dynamics of oppression. She offers guided instructions on how to work with our own role in the story of race and shows us how to cultivate a culture of care to come to a place of greater clarity and compassion.