Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy, and Liberation

by Kaira Jewel Lingo, Valerie Brown, Marisela Gomez

"This powerful trinity of Black authors invites us into the living room of their hearts, affirming who we are with earthy straight talk, textured diversity, and wise tenderness."—Ruth King

Real talk on living joyfully and coming home to ourselves—with reflective self-care practices to help us on our interconnected journeys of liberation

Join three friends, three Black women, all teachers in the Plum Village tradition founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, in intimate conversation, touching on the pain and beauty of their families of origin, relationships and loneliness, intimacy and sexuality, politics, popular culture, race, self-care and healing. No subject is out of bounds in this free-flowing, wide-ranging offering of mindful wisdom to nourish our sense of belonging and connection with ancestors.

Authors Valerie Brown, Marisela Gomez, MD, and Kaira Jewel Lingo share how the Dharma's timeless teachings support their work for social and racial equity and justice in their work and personal lives. The book offers insights in embodied mindfulness practice to support us in healing white supremacy, internalized racial oppression, and social and cultural conditioning, leading to a firm sense of belonging and abiding joy.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Cliey]

This book surprised me in the best way. I expected a mindfulness guide, but what I found was a deeply human conversation filled with honesty, grief, humor and hope. Each author's voice is distinct, which made the dialogue feel rich instead of repetitive.

The chapters exploring intimacy, family wounds and healing from internalized oppression stood out the most for me. Rather than speaking in abstract ideas, the authors share personal experiences that make the teachings feel grounded and accessible. I especially loved how they connected everyday struggles with the Dharma in ways that felt practical rather than overly philosophical.

The reflective exercises encouraged me to slow down instead of rushing through the pages, and I found myself returning to several passages after finishing. This isn't a book I simply read once it's one I will revisit whenever I need a reminder that healing is both personal and collective.

[Valeta Rhodes]

Informative and affirming. These women revealed so much of their souls in this book that it often felt like they were sitting around in someone's living room having deep conversation over tea. And the best part: I was invited to that tea spill. I like thinkers and thought-provoking ideas. This book was wonderful because it gave me that. Also, I was in a program that was all about self-awareness and mindfulness. This book was useful because it gave me insight into some new concepts that I had not considered or even heard of in some cases. I am giving it a 5 because it was a great read for me. It is a bit atypical in style so it may not suit everyone.

[Richard Brady]

Healing Our Way Home invites readers to listen in on profoundly tender conversations among three enlightened BIPOC sisters about their personal formation and transformation, roles played by their ancestors and racialized environments, by their communities, and their teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. I have never before heard or read conversations of this depth and breadth. I am already seeing the world differently, and I am most grateful.

A

[Nancy Zigler]

Perhaps the best start of any nonfiction book I've ever read. It was a powerhouse of knowledge, wisdom, and the journey that comes with growing up as a BIPOC person in America. Accessible, deep, reflective--it really hit home for me. And I should say that it helped. It started as a process of awareness and practical steps towards reconciling the past via love, joy, and liberation in the present.

[Frances]

what a generous gift! a dynamic and intimate invitation into practice. thank you to the authors!