Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace

by Angel Kyodo Williams

There truly is an art to being here in this world, and like any art, it can be mastered. 

In this elegant, practical book, Angel Kyodo Williams combines the universal wisdom of Buddhism with an inspirational call for self-acceptance and community empowerment. Written by a woman who grew up facing the challenges that confront African-Americans every day, Being Black teaches us how a "warrior spirit" of truth and responsibility can be developed into the foundation for real happiness and personal transformation. With her eloquent, hip, and honest perspective, Williams—a Zen priest, social activist, and entrepreneur—shares personal stories, time-tested teachings, and simple guidelines that invite readers of all faiths to step into the freedom of a life lived with fearlessness and grace.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Race, Religion, Social Justice, Memoir

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2000

About the author

Reverend Angel Kyodo Williams is an ordained Zen priest, called "the most vocal and most intriguing African-American Buddhist in America" by Library Journal, Williams is the Spiritual Director of the meditation-based newDharma Community and founder of the Center for Transformative Change in Berkeley, California and is also credited with developing fearlessMeditation, fearlessYoga and Warrior Spirit Training. As of October 2013, she is the world's 2nd female Zen teacher of African descent. Her given Buddhist name, Kyodo, means "Way of Teaching."

Reviews

[Izetta Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this is a slim tome it took a while to read, because of the depth that Williams goes into surrounding her Buddhist practice, and how each person can incorporate Buddhist practice.

I appreciated Williams broad overview of Buddhism, her teaching of how to incorporate those principals, and the wisdome she shows by suggesting that people of color can benefit and thrive from many of the lessons of Buddhism.

The book would have been even better for me, if Williams had used real life examples, not passing examples, but real examples of how to deal with every day racism - and the rage it produces, by following the Buddha's way. Without those examples, even with Williams disavowal that practicing Buddhism is all about control and ignoring feelings, the book inadvertently suggests, "just turn the other cheek," as opposed to finding "wealth in anger" (Alice Walker). To me this is an unintended and would have made the book even better for me. I particularly appreciated the passages on mindfulness.

[Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman is amazing. Interesting take on her life, the pressures of being black, and how to reconcile your individuality.

[Vishnu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and it completely delivers what it claims to. I love the author's take on Buddhism, and in particular her efforts to make Buddhism accessible and relevant to those who have experience structural oppression in their lives. Williams also presents the Buddha's teachings in way that is incredibly inviting, making it clear that the only thing we have to lose through practice is our suffering!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to thank my son for this one: He asked me to buy a copy of the book; he unintentionally left the CD based on the book. He wound up buying the book on his own. I just got finished reading my copy.

While the book is geared to a black audience, it has resonance to all people, as all people can utilize the truths in finding oneself, and transcending the labels and boxes we all have been socially conditioned to accept as the only way to perceive ourselves, and others. That is really the key to the book.

I appreciate the outline and explanation of the Warrior Spirit. Cultivating and utilizing the warrior spirit does not mean taking up arms and fighting with people; it means that one comes from a point of wanting to, and committing to getting to the bottom of things, in order to do what is right for the collective good. Not just for oneself and certainly not at another’s expense!

I also appreciate Williams bringing in her own experiences as one learns from another’s experiences so maybe, we don’t have to learn that lesson the hard way. Nevertheless, the crucial point of the book is to ask ourselves, where we are at any given moment, and why we are there (really). Not just in physical location, but what (really) drives one to do what one does … and always invites us to see and choose what we are willing to (actually) do toward what we really want. This discernment takes honest and serious introspection, and that is what meditation provides.

Finally, the book is simply written and not preachy; it allows the reader to take away what he/she wishes, and invites and lists books for further reading … as again, the work has to start from the inside out!

[Anna Preble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that the review of basic precepts and teachings were helpful. The lecture notes on meditation poses and methods are fantastic!

That said, what I *really* hoped for from this book was some intersection between Buddhist teachings and modern liberation/identity politics and ideology. Kyodo Sensei provides a bit of that towards the end, when she incorporates some ideas from bell hooks and Cornel West into her writings. She lists a number of world figures who inspired her (I noticed the absence of a very prominent civil rights leader from her list and am curious what *that's* all about but maybe I'm inferring too heavily).

I very much appreciate her bravery and sensibility in drawing her own personal experiences into her lessons. Some of the revelations about her past and private experiences moved me deeply and thus served as an even more effective canvas for her teaching. This bravery on her part made her lessons on emotional distance and intimacy with other humans (81) all the more effective, and her emphasis of embracing warrior-spirit with openness and emotional closeness (146).

Grace is just as essential as warrior-spirit, and that was probably the greatest reminder this book provided for me. I have closed myself off in a manner that could easily be described as defensive or even war-like; I would like to reclaim my grace as well. This book was a great start in that direction, and I will probably refer to her notes again in the future as I work to overcome that challenge.

[diwili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check what Angel Kyodo Williams is up to still: http://transformativechange.org/

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice but not special introduction to Zen - two most interesting parts are the references to how zen fits or doesn't with the author's interpretation of black American culture.

[Nikki Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking. Introspective. A great read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personalized introduction to Zen Buddhist teachings. With deep gratitude to Sensei for sharing wisdom. I am still searching for Buddhist ways to understand racial violence.

[Crystal Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous testimony. The author subtly captures the heart of being both Black and Buddhist. This is a new bedside favorite!

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BLACK WOMAN FINDS HEALING AND COMPASSION IN ZEN

Author Angel Kyodo Williams wrote in the “Acknowledgements” of this 2000 book, “This book is the result of an extraordinary amount of ‘this and that’ coming together over the years. A multitude of experiences, conversations, images, relationships, musical notes, idle thoughts, and empty spaces are all here---each experience, every second as important as the last. I am equally grateful for the moments of pain that have made me so aware of the infinite bliss that is always just one moment away.” She continues in the Introduction, “Early in my life, like many young black children, I went to a Baptist church on Sundays… At eight, I got a new stepmother and a new church… I became an admitted fan of the long-haired, blue-eyed Jesus I saw pictured in … King James Version of the Bible that my stepmother kept… Still, by the time I was twelve, I declared myself an agnostic. I stopped going to church and fell out of sync with a lot of the people around me…

“I found… a classic Zen work called… ‘Zen and Japanese Culture’ by a scholar named D.T. Suzuki who… practiced Zen as a lay person… All I knew was that it wasn’t Japanese culture that I was having a love affair with… it was the culture and sensibility that came from Zen. Most of us think of Buddhism as one big religion or philosophy with a fixed set of beliefs, views, and practices… There is no doubt in my mind that Buddhism is a religion. It has rituals, traditions, schools, and hierarchical structures. However, Buddhist PHILOSOPHY, in its purest form, is just a set of principles to help you become awake to the life that you have so that you can live it more completely… it’s no more and no less than a way of planning your life. It’s setting up your social structures and actively engaging your time on this planet by waking up and getting a fundamental grasp on what’s really important.” (Pg. 3-5)

She adds, “I originally came to write this book from a place of pain because, like so many of us, I have been wounded and still share space with that pain… sometimes it is necessary to know pain, to be intimate with it, to help others to heal… my biggest lesson has been how to open my heart and be aware of how I am feeling… From that place, my world---my capacity for compassion, gentleness and clarity---has opened itself up for me… My own great discovery about Buddhism, Zen, and meditation practice… is that there really isn’t anything very special about it at all… Spiritual practice is about transformation, but it’s also … about working with what is. All of us must learn to honor our whole selves just as we come, just as we are. We can do this by just living, just doing, just Being Black.” (Pg. 8-9)

She explains, “Some 2,500 years ago, a warrior-prince who felt the same sense of unease left his comfortable, wealthy life, his place and his clan behind him… After a lot of effort, this prince who would become known as the Buddha, meaning ‘the awakened one’… saw clearly the truth about life. From that point on, he made it his life’s work to create a map that others could use. He broke his directions down to Four Simple Truths that go something like this: 1. Life is uncomfortable… 2. Desire causes discomfort… 3. It is possible to end discomfort… 4. Meditation and the eightfold path can end discomfort.” (Pg. 16-25)

She recounts, “My own interest in Zen made me find my way to an American Zen monastery… For a couple of years I had been checking out different meditation centers in both San Francisco and New York… but [I] still felt that I wanted to have a more ‘complete’ experience… I knew about a monastery right outside New York City that I could go to get the whole experience… I signed up for a weekend retreat… Of course I felt completely foreign when I got there. Not only was I the only black person (there were two Asian women) but quite a few of the other people were fully dressed in monks’ gear… These were not mysterious Tibetan or Japanese monks looking foreign and exotic. They were plain old Americans, just like men and women that you had seen on the street earlier that day…

”I fell in love! I decided right then that what I wanted was to become a monk… I went to the teacher and told him now convinced I was that I wanted to be a monk… The next day, the teacher talked about monks and how they led a life of service to the community. Monks, he said, were ‘home-leavers.’ … it was essential for them to leave their homes behind and not have responsibilities to anything else. I was confused… I couldn’t do this… I could leave my job in a hot minute, but at home I had a life that I felt I couldn’t walk away from no matter how much I wanted to study Zen. After I returned home I thought about it and talked about it a lot… My partner was very understanding… The funny thing is that what really made me give up the idea was my dogs… no one else would take care of my two big Rottweilers for an unspecified amount of time… and I couldn’t possibly give them away. They were like my own children.” (Pg. 29-31)

She recalls, “I spent my first two years as a Zen student meditating alone… after a while, I went searching for a Zen teacher who could help me… I found Sensei Pat Enkyo O’Hara, who leads a meditation group in Greenwich Village… About a year later I came to a very, very hard place in my life… The business that I had put all my heart into had failed… The roommate that I have moved upstate with … moved out and she took some of my things with her and left some of her bills behind. And finally, my relationship fell apart. At first, I was so depressed that I stopped eating for nearly three weeks… My life was like a bad dream…” (Pg. 42-43)

She goes on, “Then one day I received a calendar from the Village Zendo in the mail. In just a few days, the week-long summer … retreat, would begin… I was desperate to get out of the hole I was in… Thankfully, the retreat would be silent, so I wouldn’t have to talk to anyone. When I got to the retreat I kept to myself and didn’t talk to anyone… I finally went to the private interview to talk with my teacher face-to-face. As soon as I sat down, I blurted out how screwed up I felt my life was… and couldn’t stand my own self anymore… she looked at me and said, ‘You have to be gentle with Angel.’” (Pg. 43-44)

She continues, “Pat Enkyo … is a middle-aged Irish-American woman… we were not black and white or even teacher and student. We were just two human beings acknowledging suffering… for the first time in weeks, I felt my despair lighten… That retreat was the beginning of not just healing the pain I was dealing with … but of opening my heart wider… I had taken refuge in my teacher and my sangha… [Pat] taught me that I had to have compassion for myself in order to have compassion for others… For the first time, I understood Community… While I was the only black person in the group… it was not about people looking the same, doing the same things with their lives… It was an agreement to be mutually respectful and supportive no matter who you were… And we all benefited.” (Pg. 44-45)

She outlines, “I engage in the spiritual practices of: 1. Recognizing that I am not separate from all that is. This is the precept of non-killing. 2. Being satisfied with what I have … 3. Encountering all creations with respect and dignity… 4. Listening and speaking from the heart… 5. Cultivating a mind that sees clearly… 6. Unconditionally accepting what each moment has to offer… 7. Speaking what I perceive to be the truth without guilt or blame… 8. Using all of the ingredients of my life… 9. Transforming suffering into wisdom… 10. Honoring my life as an instrument of peacemaking.” (Pg. 102) Later, she recounts her healing from an incident of sexual abuse when she was ten. (Pg. 149-150)

She concludes, “Accessing the skills we need to master life isn’t instant, and I can’t promise you that they will be easy for you to get to. I can promise that no matter who you are or where you come from, they are there and they are available to you and always will be. With time, patience, and the spirit of desire to realize your own truth, you’ll find them just where they’re been all along. Inside you.” (Pg. 180-181)

This wonderful book will be of great interest not just to those interested in Buddhism as a spiritual path, but as a means of self-healing.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a Buddhist book (i.e. 90%) with a little bit of context around Buddhism as it is experienced and practised by people of colour. I loved the Buddhism practice content (as usual). I love the perspective from different teachers/teachings as it always gives new ways of thinking and being. I was uncomfortable with some of the language that felt a bit like victim blaming when it came to the race content. However, I think the point was that we need to work on ourselves first in order to be able to do the warrior work in the world. Directly from the book: "It is the separation from our true selves that keeps us from enjoying personal happiness, just as it is separation of the races that divides us from the promise of an America that can begin to meet our hopes and dreams"

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book twice. The first time I gobbled it up like a famished guest at a fancy dinner that embarrasses everyone watching the spectacle. The second time I read it slowly and highlighted the pieces I wanted to savor. Now I’m going to read it again. This pandemic is messing with my spirit and this book feels like a long, non-judgmental hug that doesn’t let go until I let go. I always hang on a little too tight and a little too long - as if it is the last hug I will ever get. And who is to say it won’t be? I want to live gracefully and fearlessly. I don’t. But I want to.

[Jalisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like an extended version of the four agreements. It provides simple, yet deep truths about living your life fully present and turning inward for answers and guidance. Williams provides a buddhist offering that does not get stuck in the mechanics of meditation and mindfulness (though it does offer strategies for that), and instead focuses on simple tactics for coming home to yourself.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I am not a Black person, I wouldn't have picked up this book if I hadn't heard Angel Kyodo Williams speak and been very impressed. Although addressed to Black people who might not pick up a book on Buddhism written by a white person, the information applies to everyone. It is a lay person's guide to Buddhism and its application to daily life. Many examples are from the author's experience and experiences of Black people, but the messages are universal.

[Tiff · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was underwhelming. It was more about the practice of Buddhism rather than the intersection of the practice and being Black. I believe the author had an excellent opportunity to go where none have gone before and provide a Zen perspective to race and Black American culture and it just stopped short of doing that. I think this was a missed opportunity.

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Includes some really clear, compelling explanations of warrior spirit, right thought and right action, etc which I'll return to again and again. Some of the language around progressive politics is a bit dated. Sometimes stopped short of calling out white supremacy, where I wanted those connections to be clearer.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible in reconciling a meditation practice with the fear, anger and expectation that comes from being part of a marginalized group in America. This book isn't just for minorities, but it does discuss issues present in many POC that many of us don't realize is holding us back. I got so much from this book. I will be gifting this book over and over again in the future.

[Andres D'Elia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is full of learnings for everyone. I recommend it for anyone who's in a journey to grow, independently of their race. The author provides the key to resolving the issue of racism as well as all other problems in the world: awareness, love and compassion.

[Cyndie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read as this book is a way of life, not a story. Every time I picked it up to read, it gave me a little better perspective. The ebb and flow of brain life (in my head) flowed.

[Nikkita Mcpherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. It allows you space to tap into a level of healing that feels like a hug while also giving space for you to fall deeply into yourself and want to attend a meditation retreat!

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW for this book: domestic abuse, sexual abuse

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

read

[Naadiya Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having previously red Radical Dharma I feel like this book is a great complement and provides a really solid foundation for starting a meditation practice, as well as Buddhist values.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off as being really approachable and relatable. Unfortunately it didn't quite stay that way. I had this book on my list to read for quite awhile and had meant to complete it for Black History Month. Unfortunately maybe other people had the same thought and I didn't get the book until afterwards. No matter, no reason to not to read it.
 
Although I'm no expert in Zen or being black and often have a hard time with any kind of spiritual/religious/meditation text I thought I'd give this a shot. Initially I found the book really approachable as Williams talks about discovering Zen, her background and how it relates. While I didn't always understand her experience, I still found it to be a great "gateway" to better understand the concepts she was explaining.
 
After Part I or so, though, I ran into the same trouble I typically have. I find it tough to read books about Zen/meditation/etc. because they often become (or stay) unapproachable for me. They get too New Age-y, too much "woo" for lack of a better term. I would say the author did a pretty good job in staying away from that, but like another review on Goodreads I also wished we had more real life examples to go on. This, however, really may be just as me the reader rather than the text.
 
Still, I don't regret reading it at all. It was interesting and definitely a viewpoint I'm not sure I've ever read before, which is something I really appreciated. It was a good library book borrow. May be worth thumbing through at the bookstore or library before you decide to purchase.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time when reading this book I had discovered many things in my life which made me very nervous one thing was finishing college . I felt I needed to learn more, not necessarily in order to change my life. I fest like I needed to fix my life but the book reinforced that we must bring ourselves back to the beginning of the problem and rethink about the way it should be addressed. Look within. There is no quick fix for our lives.Nothing truly valuable happens quickly. WE don't need it. A quick fix. There's nothing to fix. We already have the skills we need to accomplish everything we truly want, to access everything we truly need," Zen-as we step into a path of change, its helpful to take a moment to consider how blessed we are to have the gift of other peoples experiences to share."

"Salvation is being on the right road, not having reached a destination" -Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King's famous dream are recalled during her book. She enlightens us on many zen ways from Japanese teaching and discusses greed, anger and ignorance which becomes generosity, love and understanding. IT was a very relaxing and peaceful book and brought me self empowerment and inner strength.

The book is broken down by chapter, like this:
Part One-The nature of our existence
Part Two- Steps for creating a Spiritual life and
Part three- Living every day with fearlessness and grace

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Williams' introduction to zen buddhism for people of color is really profound. I appreciated the way she laid out a path for positively understanding the world (and its people) without being too naive. A lot of the "truths" she wrote about seemed to be such common sense but they're things that we often miss, even though they can be right in front of us. I don't completely agree with her altruistic view of us humans, but everything she explains through her understanding and non-judgemental prose is definitely useful for personal growth and development. I'll be reading and re-reading this book for a long time...

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the words in the title that caused me to pick up this book, “the art of living” and “fearlessness” in particular because I was in a depression at the time I picked this up and I was very fearful. The author of this book was quite young and I marveled all the way through at her insight and wisdom at her age. The sections are: the nature of our existence; steps for creating a spiritual life; living every day with fearlessness and grace. The first section talks about four simple truths, three wonderful treasures and three serious poisons. An easy to read yet deep book. One I will read and reread many times.

[Dave B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Being Black” was a very enjoyable read. This book provides a light overview of Zen meditation and Buddhism and is an excellent source of reading for anyone interested in pursuing a balanced life. Williams provide a down to earth explanation of the eight noble path, the three pillars of zen and, most important, a nice explanation into developing a strong moral and ethical foundations while practicing meditation. This book was a nice read and reminds me of “Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice”. Both books are full of universal principles sprinkled with African American based analogies. I think everyone would learn how to open their heart from this book.

[GRATEFUL · Rating 5 out of 5]

From reading being black, I learned two extremely important things about lige;the first being that for "us" as a people to expeienceprogression we must view everything with an attitude that we are all in this together. THE SECOND IS THAT BRINGING DOWN EACH OTHER HURTS US MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. BOTH OF THESE HAVE GIVEN ME A NEW LOOK ON LIFE BECAUSE THESE ARE ISSUES THAT I HAVE NEEDED TO CHANGE ABOUT MYSELF FOR A WHILE. I thank Ms. Williams for being an individual and I admire her for her orginality.