The Koan of Systemic Racism

In Zen, we work with koans as a teaching tools. The word ‘koan’ comes from the Chinese and originally meant ‘public case’ – the brief of a legal case that was traditionally posted in the public square. Koans are very short stories of encounters between teachers and students. They are used in Zen training to help the student cut through delusion and waking up to the fullness of life itself. In working with koans, students are encouraged to become all the different characters, to penetrate the essence of the story which is beyond words and explanations, and then to present their understanding to their teacher in a private meeting

One well-known koan, Case 38 in the Mumonkan collection, goes roughly like this: A monk asked Zhaozhou, “What is the essence of Zen?.” Zhaozhou said, “That oak tree in our courtyard.” On first reading, many koans may seem rather opaque—like some kind of clever riddle designed by the teacher to test the student. As we go deeper into them, however, these enigmatic stories can become quite clear and luminous. The problem becomes the entry-place and we are grateful for everything.

I mention all this because the real koan is life itself. Like a traditional Zen koan, we are faced with a situation (our life) where we don’t have all the information. We only see that small part of the world that is visible from where we are yet we are required to make decisions and take actions that have important implications for ourselves and those around us.

Statue of Lee in Richmond, VA, surrounded by tributes to the victims of police violence

The current life koan that I am sitting with is the systemic racism and racial violence of our culture that has been exposed with the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks. Though I have had some awareness of my white privilege since I was in college, these days I am deeply troubled by my continuing complicity in the violence and anguish of it all. What is my part in all of this and what actions I can and should take to help resolve this terrible stain that is woven into the fabric of our county?

And it’s not just racial oppression, but also the daily insults and even violence encountered by those around me based on class, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, and country of origin. The relational system that treats me with respect (mostly) and offers me the safety and comfort, functions only through a cruel disregard for the humanity of so many.

My bubble of privilege is becoming psychologically untenable, yet I am unwilling to simply give everything away. Indeed, my white privilege and the privilege that comes with being well-spoken and well-educated is something I can’t give away. Somehow I have to find a new way to use what I have been given to continue to help shift the balance.

Right now, my strategy is to continue to listen and talk and write from this very uncomfortable place right where I am. This is the instruction offered to Zen students—to stay with the confusion and discomfort of not knowing until the next step reveals itself. Determination, faith and curiosity are required. Determination to keep going when you don’t know what to do. Faith that there is something unfolding that is not based on your own power or cleverness. And curiosity—the willingness to look for what is beyond anything you could have imagined.

May we all open our eyes and hearts to the stories of those around us. May we allow what we see and hear to touch us and to inspire us. May we transform this terrible problem into an entry point into a deeper connection with each other and with our shared humanity and with the source that animates us all.

Personal Practice – Take time today to turn your mind and heart toward the stories and pictures of racial violence. Know that the men and women on both sides of the violence are our sons and daughters, our sisters and brothers. Don’t try to do anything, just see how it is when you let your guard down. You don’t have to understand or hold a position or know what to do. Just notice how it is for you in the middle of all this. Then share what arises within you with someone else.