Afrikan Wisdom: New Voices Talk Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond

Praise for Afrikan Wisdom: New Voices Talk Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond

“A celebration and a cry, a rich treasure chest and a brilliant contribution to the awakening of all.”
—Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart
 
“This unique and timely collection is a deep dive into the intersections of Black Liberation and spiritual freedom from a perspective sorely missing from the vast body of Buddhist writings. It is the inspired vision of its editor, Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara), who begins their intro with a quote from Fred Hampton, the Black Panther revolutionary, and goes on to make poignant connections between the breath too often denied to Black people (I Can’t Breathe) to the foundational breath of meditation. This compelling book is a must-read for all those seeking social, cultural, and spiritual liberation.”
—Pratibha Parmar, filmmaker and professor

“What does it mean for Black folks to be free? In this uncommon collection of essays, Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara) has gathered together a fascinating, multifaceted selection of perspectives that explore the intersection of spirituality, liberation, and Blackness. This is one of those rare books that offers a holistic experience of illumination, as it unpacks the multifold path of Black Diasporic freedom in depth—through writing that ignites our mind while enriching our spirit.”
—Andrea Thompson, author and educator

“Afrikan Wisdom is such an important offering to and for African Diasporic people as we come to understand our traditional relationship to mindfulness and Buddhadharma. This book will help us continue dreaming and living into more liberated futures.”
—Lama Rod Owens, author of Love and Rage

“This is an important undertaking; a wealth of insights and resources that reminds us that contemplative practice must find unique expression within each culture and identity. To be truly liberatory in modern lives, ancient wisdom must also meet head-on the most pressing challenges of our times. This collection is a vital part of that work, and a gift to us all.”
—Jamie Bristow, author and clerk of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mindfulness

“This fascinating volume examines the topic of Black Liberation from a wide range of perspectives. Since it arose from a recent and historic gathering of Buddhist teachers and scholars of African descent, most of the contributions have a Buddhist slant but there are also essays from Christian, Muslim, and Rastafarian viewpoints. It is rich with eye-opening history and with different authors’ takes on such challenging issues as nonviolence, the balance between mediation and external activism, the whiteness of American Buddhism, spiritual bypassing, and how to deal mindfully with systemic racism. This is an important book that comes at a time when the influence of racism in the US has rarely been more overtly supported and new voices on Black Liberation more needed.”
—Richard Schwartz, PhD, developer of the Internal Family Systems psychotherapy and adjunct faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

“Detailed liturgies for Buddhists of color appear amid the rich theorizing and individual reflections. These bite-size and profound essays are a powerful introduction to the overlooked possibilities of Black Buddhism.”
—Publishers Weekly

"The variety and breadth of offerings in this anthology will inform and inspire those who seek true liberation for all."
—Lion's Roar