Session 7:
Prompts

1) “Hacking bias” though mindfulness of vedana

As far as you know, what stereotypes about people different from you in some way have you been most exposed to in your life? Do any of them have racial dimensions?

2) White delusion and its anti-dotes

McRae invites us to distinguish between delusion and ignorance, as white delusion has a dimension of willfulness. She illustrated this with a personal example. Delusion is not as “innocent” as simply not having knowledge, it takes some effort to maintain and uphold. What does this mean in your life experience?

Analayo and McRae describe the following antidotes to white delusion:

• deliberate contemplation and reflection upon causality (McRae)

• cultivation of equanimity (McRae)

• mindfulness that is internal-AND-external (Analayo)

Have you found any of these to be helpful? If so, how?

3) From (white) reactivity to creativity

Looking at the behaviors associated with white reactivity (or “fragility”), do you recognize any habits you might have on occasion?

Have you had any successes turning from reactivity to creativity? What did that take?

4) Power, privilege and intersectionality

What does it feel like to situate yourself on this map?

What dimensions are missing? Is anything revealing to you?

What are the dimensions you think these least about?