In this session of Awareness in Action and speaking from her farm in Alexandria, Louisiana—unexpectedly located at the center of America’s deportation operations—dharma teacher and social justice activist Konda Mason explores the powerful connection between inner and outer equity. Drawing from her transformative move from Oakland California’s progressive bubble to rural Louisiana, Mason shares her appreciation for her practice to cultivate equanimity in the face of her own covert biases. Mason weaves together Buddhist teachings with insights from Hannah Arendt’s concept of “The Banality of Evil” and John Paul Lederach’s “Improbable Dialogue” to demonstrate how contemplative practice enables meaningful engagement across deep political divides. We are encouraged to make the leap beyond polarization toward genuine connection. Referencing Dr. Cornel West’s “Justice is what love looks like in public” Mason adds “Equity is what equanimity looks like in public,” sharing the importance of building authentic democracy rooted in our shared humanity.
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