Palestine - Israel Study & Practice Group
Purpose
What is happening in Palestine and Israel continues to be heartbreaking for so many of us. We know this is a situation where words matter, so much so that even using the word conflict causes pain and disagreement. This is an illustration of the high intensity of this situation and illuminates the reason for this practice group. To support our sitting with and exploring Palestine and Israel, Gaza and beyond, Clouds in Water Zen Center is sponsoring a study and practice group. Within a context of Buddhist practice and engaged activism, this group will offer the opportunity to learn with others and to receive one another’s strengths and vulnerabilities with open hearts and minds. We will practice in the form of Bearing Witness where the world is in crisis, as we listen to and talk with one another in mutual respect. Allowing our hearts to break open as we explore with beginner’s mind, we will actualize our spiritual practice.
This study and practice group is intended to be a supportive container for people who are already called to action, or who may be moved to act, or whose response will be to support others in their actions. We wish to provide a space where our differences are heard and respected. We aspire to create an environment where SWANA and Jewish and BIPOC and white-bodied people can interact and show up for each other even in our differences.
Group Details
The Palestine-Israel Study & Practice Group will meet once per month for 6 months. All meetings will be in-person only. Each meeting will be 2 hours in length. The group will have 10 - 12 participants, with a minimum of 50% BIPOC. People with a variety of backgrounds and experiences are welcome, and we prefer that every participant has some level of understanding and self-education in the issues of Israel-Palestine. The group will take the form of a listening circle/council. It will be in-person only. Two experienced facilitators, Rev. Jinzu Minna Jain, and Dr. Felicia Sy, will moderate the discussions.
Resource materials will be recommended before the group starts meeting, and participants are expected to prepare by reviewing the materials. In addition, study materials will be proposed before each meeting, and participants are asked to review those materials before the following meeting. It is possible that some resources may be identified by members of the study/practice group. These are some of the topics that the study/practice group may discuss:
10,000 foot overview of history of Palestinian-Israeli situation
Understanding some key concepts/themes that are arising in public discourse regarding this situation: systemic racism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism, Antisemitism, Zionism and anti-Zionism, settler-colonialism, the history of the region, genocide, war-crimes
Understanding key emotional activation points and impacts of public discourse, protest and political response
Key Zen Buddhist concepts to ground/orient/contain the group: not-knowing, wholesome speech, beginner's mind
Self-regulation will be crucial when navigating emotions in the group. Yet, few of us have formal training on how to sit together in conflict in a manner that does not cause harm. We will receive instruction on how to do this early in our practice time together. Self-awareness and emotional control enable people to manage reactions, maintain empathy, and engage constructively. Through self-awareness and emotional control, people can foster dialogue, seek understanding, and contribute positively to resolution efforts, promoting peace and mutual respect amidst deeply held sentiments. We plan to provide a designated quiet room, water, blankets, and soothing music during the meetings.
Expectations/requirements of participants:
Follow the purpose of the study and practice group (above).
Read/view/listen to the recommended resources.
Have the intention to participate in every one of the meetings. (We understand that reality can disrupt plans, and we ask that participants only miss one meeting so that the group’s cohesion and trust are maintained.)
Be active participants so that all can contribute to the group’s learning.
Follow the meeting process.
Act respectfully toward all other participants and the facilitators.
Do not disparage others either in or outside of the meeting.
Participate in developing additional group norms at the first meeting (and follow those norms)
Be aware that comments/expressions may be made that are activating. Although this is not a safe-space, the facilitators will work hard to make it a safe-enough space.
Fill out this interest form. The deadline for applications is 12 pm on Sunday, May 19. The purpose of the form is to allow the facilitators and organizers to learn a little about you beforehand and to enable a variety of participants to be selected.
Time and Dates of Meetings
Sundays, 2 - 4 pm.
June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 6, November 10
In-person only.
Payment Information
Clouds in Water relies on a Gift Economics Model of resource transparency, suggested sliding scale tiers and no set fees in order to balance financial sustainability, the Buddhist practice of generosity, justice, and equity. Clouds in Water is a community-supported temple, relying primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. Teachers are paid a percentage of the net for all classes and retreats. It is our intention to pay the facilitators an appropriate sum and to defray some of the cost to Clouds in Water.
Payment is not due until after you are accepted into the group. Installment payments may be arranged.
Sliding Scale. We want you to know that your attendance is valued and important, no matter how much you contribute, and that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Level 1: $1,000 (makes it possible for more people to attend who cannot afford the full amount)
Level 2: $600 (full cost)
Level 3: $200 (reduced cost)
Level 4: You choose the amount. No one is turned away, even if the amount you can give is zero. The group facilitators will receive a portion of whatever you give.
Background Information
This group grew out of a request from the Ethics & Reconciliation (EAR) committee that Clouds offer some programming on this topic. The group planners/organizers are Sosan Flynn, Carol Busshin Iwata, and JiRin Ann Schulman.
If you have questions
Please email palestine-israel-study@cloudsinwater.org. This email goes to the group organizers (Sosan, Carol and JiRin) and facilitators (Jinzu and Felicia).
Facilitator Bios
Dr. Felicia Sy
Dr. Felicia Washington Sy (she/her) is honored to be of service as a board member at Clouds. She is a licensed independent clinical social worker and a practicing Buddhist for 15 years. As a licensed psychotherapist, she combines mindfulness-based social work practice and intercultural theory to train practitioners to work with diverse populations across the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. At Clouds, as part of a team, she also helps co-facilitate the BIPOC sitting group.
Rev. Jinzu Minna Jain | minnajain.com
Jinzu Minna Jain (they/them) is an artist, writer, and racial equity educator. They are a lifelong social justice community organizer and identify as BIPOC, disabled, queer, and nonbinary. Jinzu has over two decades of professional experience in the field of DEIA, and over thirty years of training in mindfulness and meditation. Jinzu has been practicing Sōtō Zen Buddhism since 2001 and is a priest in training at Clouds in Water Zen Center. They are also the Director of Learning & Development and a lead facilitator with Real Transformation Today, a racial equity education group. Jinzu is interested in teaching and learning about how we, as Buddhist or mindfulness practitioners, can call on our practice to help us slow down, get curious about the complexities of our lives and communities, and step into cultural humility and collective care in nuanced and genuinely helpful ways. They believe that Buddhist teachings and practice can nourish us and wake us up enough to make choices, take action, accept our mistakes, adjust our course, and keep trying.
