“To work skillfully with divisiveness and suffering on a societal level, we must first examine these tendencies within ourselves,” says Gina Sharpe, a teacher of the annual People of Color Retreat. “In meditation practice, we learn to see the truth of suffering and separation. We learn to understand their cause and the way to freedom of our hearts and minds.”

Akin to a women’s, men’s or young adults’ retreat, the People of Color course provides a protected and quiet space for this community, allowing insight to unfold and wisdom and compassion to arise.

“Yet this course is not about separateness,”Gina continues,“The retreat was established with the intent to create a zone of ease in which people of color can meditate together. It’s about exploring and honoring the inner experience, and learning how to heal.”

Why is this zone of ease so important?“When few around you look like you, and when the cultural expressions used to teach the dharma are not your own, it can make it really challenging to practice,”says Shahara Godfrey, an African American from California who sat last summer’s retreat.

She explains that, sometimes, the language used to address a predominantly white sangha (community) fails to speak to those in a racial minority. “But practicing with a whole group of people of color, it felt more comfortable. I felt held in a different way,” Shahara adds. “When you have community, the process of insight is greatly enhanced.”

Nakawe Cuebas, a participant of Puerto Rican descent, echoes this. She found inspiration in being guided by teachers “who were able to identify with and address the many particular issues that people of color live with. We hear the teachings in our ‘language’ and can relate to and open up to them more easily.”

Jerry Jung, a Chinese-American from New York, understood the significance of the retreat in affecting positive change in the world.“My dream of world peace necessarily begins with an inner transformation,” he states. “I see my spiritual practice as a small but relevant contribution to shift the balance in favor of peace.”

The People of Color Retreat also offered Nakawe Cuebas a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s teachings on liberation. “This course is about freedom of mind, body and spirit. Taste and experience the sweet nectar of freedom for yourself. We as people of color need to let go of the ‘self oppression’ so that we can be more present to deal with the societal oppression that many of us confront on a daily basis. We have been in chains for too long; it is time to be truly free!”

The 2007 People of Color Retreat, co-sponsored by IMS and New York Insight, takes place July 7-12. It will be taught by Joseph Goldstein, Gina Sharpe & Larry Yang with Sharon Salzberg. Through the generosity of several donors, we can offer reduced rates for this course  - our wish is to make it accessible to any person of color who would like to attend. You do not have to pay to participate. Those who can contribute, however, help ensure that the community of POC meditators continues to flourish. Free transportation is provided between IMS and New York City.