Sellassie: The Unconscious Whiteness of Being

The Work of Diversity: A Deeper Engagement If you haven’t already, join our mailing list to receive monthly articles in your inbox. Learn more about Sebene’s upcoming course at BCBS this May on Buddha’s Teachings and Issues of Cultural Spiritual Bypassing. IJ: What’s most essential for a deeper engagement with the work of diversity and inclusivity? SS: To… Read More Sellassie: The Unconscious Whiteness of Being

Local Hero Clive McFarlane, Worcester MA

“Worcester MA is the largest refugee resettlement destination in the Northeast” Clive McFarlane: Social activism still needed, still works By Clive McFarlane Telegram & Gazette Staff Earlier this month I wrote about Carolyn Latino, a college student and a Worcester native who spent her Thanksgiving break at Standing Rock, North Dakota, in support of the Sioux… Read More Local Hero Clive McFarlane, Worcester MA

Ken Jones: Buddhism as Ideology

Can we imagine a space of really radical freedom? Buddhism as Ideology: Ken Jones identifies five characteristics of ideology: Solidifies the objectivity of mere ideas into subjectively freighted articles of faith shaped to serve the believer’s aspiration. Inconsistencies are smoothed out in seamless certainty. Thus for many Buddhists the various orders of cause-and-effect presented in… Read More Ken Jones: Buddhism as Ideology

For Noisy People Who Think Too Much: Electronic Kirtan

I uploaded a new track produced on my iPad with Novation’s brilliant Launchpad. I soloed over the track with my “electric ukulele”, a cheap guitar synth that was designed as a controller for video game consoles .($189.00 cheap. The Roland GR 500 guitar synth cost over $5000.00 when it first came out in 1977.)  It’s my first venture… Read More For Noisy People Who Think Too Much: Electronic Kirtan

Althusser and the Ideology of Buddhism

Matthew over at Post-Traditional Buddhism is running a great series on Non-Buddhism, and Buddhism as ideology. https://posttraditionalbuddhism.com/2016/12/07/warming-up-with-non-buddhism/ [To Matthew ] I’m interested in following up on your invitation to explore Buddhism as an ideology. About the best explanation of ideology I have read is Althusser’s “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses” (1970, 56 pages). (I tried… Read More Althusser and the Ideology of Buddhism

Massive survey paints bleak picture for transgender Americans

Discrimination and destitution defines this vulnerable community. by Zack Ford, published in thinkprogress.org Trans activist Madison White stands with others advocating for change in North Carolina. CREDIT: Brian Gomsak/AP Images On Thursday, the National Center for Transgender Equality revealed the results of the most massive survey of transgender people ever conducted. The picture is not rosy,… Read More Massive survey paints bleak picture for transgender Americans