Mindfulness has certainly reached market saturation. In this talk, Prof. Suh explores how contemporary mindfulness practices have continued to serve the individual at the expense of the collective and uncover how white privilege and white supremacy continues to impact and limit their potential effects. She argues that race-based trauma is socially determined and an individualized approach to healing is simply not enough. Drawing from studies in Buddhism, neuroscience, and mindfulness, Prof. Suh shares insights from trauma-sensitive mindfulness and trauma-informed yoga that have proven effective for helping survivors find safety in the body which is crucial for health and recovery.
Sharon A. Suh, Ph.D. is a Professor of Buddhism in the department of Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University where she teaches courses in Buddhist Thought and Practice, Socially Engaged Buddhism, Buddhism and Film, Introduction to Buddhism, and Buddhism, Gender, and Sexuality. Her work emphasizes the importance of trauma-sensitive mindfulness and trauma-informed yoga to increase the capacity for individual and collective resilience. She is author of several articles and book chapters on Buddhism, gender, and race including Silver Screen Buddha: Buddhism in Asian and Western Film (Bloomsbury Press, 2015) and Occupy This Body: A Buddhist Memoir (Sumeru Press, 2019). She is also President of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, the largest non profit organization dedicated to Buddhist women’s global flourishing.
Red Talks Promo – Season 2 Historically Marginalized Male Voices at the Intersection (2019-20)