Mei Elliott introduces this six-week series called Conflict, Power, and Practice. In this first class, she discusses how our personal power, role power, and status power supports us in following the Zen precepts.
Details about the Conflict, Power and Practice series:
In spiritual communities, power can often be seen as an unwelcome source of inequity which can trump the spiritual value for humility, equality, and selflessness. However, this view fails to acknowledge that we all have power, whether we know it or not, and to live with it without recognizing our influence can itself be a misuse of power.
In a time of significant abuses of power, this series will help us identify our power and explore how it can be used ethically and compassionately. Throughout the series we will integrate Zen teachings on the precepts, while investigating themes such as conflict resolution, dual-role relationships, power differentials, boundaries, and skillful feedback. The series is designed to help participants find greater freedom and ease in relationship to power, and in doing so, to support the well-being of others.
This curriculum is largely inspired by the book Right Use of Power: The Heart of Ethics by Cedar Barstow, which is an innovative and comprehensive resource. The reading is not required, though the book is recommended for anyone interested in the theme.