Mindfulness and Implicit Bias

Black Lives Matter.  George Floyd’s tragic murder under the knee of a Minneapolis policeman has again brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront, not just in the US but around the world.  This event, along with the recent killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmoud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks, as well as the racial inequities in the impact of COVID-19, have highlighted the racial injustice, structural inequalities, and systematic biases that Blacks in this country face every day.  The widespread protests that have resulted, including individuals from many different backgrounds, seem to indicate that there now may be greater understanding of how our assumptions and actions may be influenced towards others even when we claim, often with great sincerity, that we are not racist, or not even biased.  Yet there continues to be ample evidence that systematic racial bias is widespread.  Why is this?  Why, even when we have the intention of truly viewing and treating everyone equally, with respect and compassion, is it so hard to do?  And how can mindfulness help us in this pursuit?
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Uncertainty

This is a very uncertain time.   There is uncertainty about the spread of COVID-19, and about how safe it will be as social distancing restrictions are relaxed and we can begin to move about more.  There is uncertainty about work and personal finances as well as the larger economy.  There is uncertainty about childcare and remote learning and when schools might open for in-person classes again. The list goes on and on. How do we find peace the midst of so much uncertainty?  This is a real challenge for many of us.  One thing we can do is to focus on the present moment.  Regardless of whatever else is going on, if we are able to bring our attention back to our present moment experience we can get out of the stream of thoughts regarding all the things over which we have no control.  In those moments when we are not thinking, we may find some calm.
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Finding Balance in the Disruption

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.  Victor Frankl Essentially, everything in my life, my family, friends and co-workers is different.  In the matter of just a few weeks, an unknown, little but mighty, virus has caused major disruption in our daily routines, customs and lives, most likely forever.  I was curious about the dictionary’s definition of disruption.  “Disruption”: is a noun “a major disturbance, something that changes your plans or interrupts some event or process”.  Wow, so major and so many! Social distancing Working from home Husband working from home Kids running around at home Schooling now from home Schools closed Colleges closed
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