Meet the Manager: Overcoming Delusions of Racism

This online retreat for the Flowering Lotus community will be a powerful exploration of the ways in which Buddhist teachings can help us to transform ourselves into something beautiful.

These times are financially difficult for many of us – for Flowering Lotus and, we understand, for many members of our sangha. We ask that you support Flowering Lotus and those whose needs are greater by registering at the highest level ($75, $50, $25) with which you feel comfortable. All are welcome to participate, regardless of ability to pay. If you are unable to pay the minimum $25 registration, check “Scholarship” below, and no payment will be required. We encourage scholarship recipients to make a dana contribution in any amount, at the online event. NOTE: registration fee does not include any contribution to the teacher. You will have the opportunity to make a dana contribution at the online retreat.

About The Retreat

A recent viral photo showed a white woman carrying a sign in protest. On one side, her sign said, “Karens Against Police Brutality.” On the other, it read, “I’d like to speak to the manager of systemic racism.” Clever, Karen. Here is an opportunity to do just that.

Action is important. But the kind of meaningful, sustained action that creates change does not come from brief moments of outrage. It comes neither from yielding to racialized conditioning nor from being in denial about it.

Change arises through cultivating generosity in its deepest sense, along with regular, practical mind/heart training in good will and non-harm. These are not just nice philosophies. These are actions of body, speech and mind that replace the greed, hatred and delusions of superiority lurking in our own minds and hearts. This inner work is just one type of action, but other work has to be grounded in this reality to be effective.

This online retreat with Acharya Christie Bates is an opportunity for self-identified white women, of any religion or none, with interest in contemplative practice. We’ll meet the manager of systemic racism in our own minds and hearts, and begin the process of ousting him.

We meet via Zoom, with room in the schedule for your practice away from the computer screen but also with lots of non-judgmental support through teaching, practice and dialogue.

Teacher Bio: 

Known for her warmth and ability to “translate” between traditions, Christie was ordained a Dharmacharya (Buddhist minister) in October 2016 by Venerables Pannavati and Pannadipa after practicing a dedicated contemplative path since 1985. As spiritual director, licensed professional counselor (TN and MS), the author of Accepting Your Resurrection(2008), and host of the Deep South Dharma podcast, Christie seeks to help people find the courage to find and follow the wisdom of loving, wise Awareness.

Christie was instrumental in the establishment of Buddhist recovery circles in Nashville, TN, responsible for Contemplative Programs at The Ranch TN from 2013-2018, and was founder and teacher of Embracing Simplicity Nashville from 2014-2019. Since relocating to Oxford MS in the Spring of 2019 to play at grandmothering, Christie has co-founded Deep South Dharma, a Buddhist community with local and online offerings. Her chief interest is to help practitioners free themselves from the tyranny of preferences and see through delusions of self so as to be mirrors of truth and beauty in a hurting world.

For additional information about Acharya Bates, visit either of her websites:  www.passaticounseling.com and www.deepsouthdharma.org

Follow her on Social Media: https://www.daocloud.com/pro/christie-bates

https://www.facebook.com/deepsouthdharma

https://www.facebook.com/christiebatescounseling

https://www.instagram.com/deepsouthdharma

Links to dharma talks by Acharya Bates:

https://medium.com/@christiebates/what-are-you-trying-to-accomplish-331b8543f16d

https://anchor.fm/deepsouthdharma for the Deep South Dharma Podcast

Suggested (optional) reading in preparation for the retreat:

CASTE: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (Random House/Penguin, August 2020).

Schedule

(All times are listed in CDT)

Friday Oct 16, 2020

730-9pm ET/630-8pm CT  Opening Session & Meditation*

Saturday, October 17, 2020

8:00 – 10:00a Morning Instruction / Group Meditation & Dialogue*

10:00 – 10:30a Small Group w Christie – others have walking practice**

10:30 – 11:00a Small Group w Christie – others have sitting practice

11:00a – 12:30p Lunch and Work Meditation (limit screens)

12:30p – 1:00p Small Group w Christie – others have walking practice

1:00p – 1:30p Small Group w Christie – others have sitting practice

1:30p – 2:30p Whole Group Check-in / Q&A / Meditation*

2:30p – 3:00p Work Meditation (limit screens)

3:00p – 3:30p  Small Group w Christie – others have walking practice

3:30p – 4:00p Small Group w Christie – others have sitting practice

4:00p – 5:00p Break / Free Time

5:00p – 6:30p Dinner and Work Meditation

6:30p – 8:00p Evening Talk and Practice Together*

8:00p – 9:00p Practice at Home or Prepare for Sleep

Sunday, October 18, 2020

8:001 – 9:001 Morning Instruction / Group Meditation & Dialogue*

9:00a – 9:30a  Small Group w Christie – others have walking practice

9:30a – 10:00a Small Group w Christie – others have sitting practice

10:00a – 11:00a Closing Session*

*BOLDED are whole-group sessions on Zoom

**Size of small groups TBD

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact: 

 

Beth Herzig

Retreat Director

floweringlotusms@gmail.com

601-918-8510

Ticket Prices

We ask that you support Flowering Lotus and those whose needs are greater by registering at the highest level ($75, $50, $25) with which you’re feel comfortable.

All are welcome to participate, regardless of ability to pay. If you are unable to pay the minimum $25 registration, check “Scholarship” below, and no payment will be required.

There will be an opportunity to make a dana (generosity) contribution in any amount, to Flowering Lotus and the teacher, at the online event.