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WORK TITLE: Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: ruthking.net
CITY: Charlotte
STATE: NC
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in CA; partner of Barbara Riley.
EDUCATION:John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA, M.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Life coach, teacher, and author. Intel, organizational development and training manager; Levi Strauss, organizational development and training manager; Mindful Members Insight Meditation Community, Charlotte, NC, founder; Insight Meditation Community of Washington, guiding teacher.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Throughout most of her professional years, Ruth King has worked in the art of meditation. She is formally involved with the Mindful Members Insight Meditation Community, serving as its founder; as well as the Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Prior to launching her career, King studied at John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, California, where she earned her M.A. She is the author of two books: Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible and Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out.
Healing Rage
Healing Rage focuses on helping women learn to refocus their negative emotions—or, more specifically, their rage—into constructive energy. Before supplying women with the tools they will need to accomplish this task, King first delves into what exactly rage is as an emotion, where it stems from, and how it differs from regular forms of anger. According to King, “rage” develops as a result of traumatic experiences that have not been properly processed on an emotional and mental level; “anger,” however, stems from short-term situations, such as an inconvenience or personal slight. What’s more is rage can bury itself under other emotions and behaviors, meaning women may have to do a bit of digging to uncover whether the source of some of their more destructive behaviors in fact comes from a place of rage. King tries to help readers answer this question for themselves by offering them several questions, which they can use to evaluate their emotions toward and reactions to specific triggers in their lives. King also offers readers a look into her own personal experiences with rage, which sprouted as a result of numerous experiences while growing up in an impoverished community. To help readers cope with their rage more productively, King lends numerous mechanisms readers can work with, such as meditation and keeping a journal to document their emotions.
A California Bookwatch contributor recommended Healing Rage to “any general-interest collection strong in self-help and psychology.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer stated: “King offers a starting place for women whose lives are being distorted by unrecognized rage.”
Mindful of Race
Mindful of Race focuses on similar subject matter to Healing Rage, albeit from the lens of racial trauma rather than gender-based trauma. Again, part of King’s advice comes from personal experiences with racism, both in the workplace and beyond. Much of King’s teachings draw from the principles of Bodhisattva. King turned to meditation to deal with the frustrations and upsets that came with being subjected to constant racial-based mistreatment, and she devotes a considerable portion of the book to teaching readers the same coping mechanisms. Her assertion is that, by utilizing meditation and similar methods, both white people and people of color alike can deal with moments of racial tension in a more constructive way, as well as take the steps to try and topple the system that begets racism in the first place.
To start this process, King puts forth a series of steps. More specifically, these steps are suppressing the urge to identify during moments of racial mistreatment; recognizing the situation for what it is; conducting a personal investigation of one’s feelings toward the matter; and allowing oneself to feel their feelings in response to such a situation. This process is formally known as “RAIN.” In addition to this method, King advises readers take part in several different forms of meditation, such as Metta. King also looks into the various forms of racism people of color encounter on a regular basis, therefore offering them numerous scenarios where her teachings may come in handy. King draws a timeline of America’s history with racism and its roots, tracing all the way back to the beginnings of American slavery and how white slave owners utilized negative racial perceptions in order to exert power over their slaves. She ultimately asserts American media commonly touts Black Americans and other minorities as being dangerous to society, and it is this attitude that leads to police violence and other atrocities inflicted upon people of color on a regular basis. King concludes the book by offering other ways people can deal with the racism they counter. She encourages readers to try to lead fruitful discussions on the matter of race and similar issues; to unite with people of color and white allies as a means of combating hatred and finding solidarity; and holding conversations with younger family members on racism and how to address the issue if and when they encounter it. Ultimately, King aims to guide readers into treating those around them with a sense of love and kindness, regardless of race. A Publishers Weekly reviewer remarked that the book “will be impactful for anyone looking to deepen a meditation practice or invest further in racial awareness and justice.” A Ginae Reviews website contributor called Mindful of Race “So. On. Time.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
California Bookwatch, October, 2007, review of Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible.
Publishers Weekly, June 18, 2007, review of Healing Rage, p. 48; April 23, 2018, review of Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out, p. 80.
ONLINE
Ginae Reviews, http://www.ginaereviews.com/ (October 30, 2017), review of Mindful of Race.
Ruth King website, https://ruthking.net (August 28, 2018), author profile.
Spirituality & Health, https://spiritualityhealth.com/ (April 24, 2018), Damon Orion, review of Mindful of Race.
About Ruth King
Ruth King is an international teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition, and an emotional wisdom author and life coach. She is on the Teacher's Council at Insight Meditation Community of Washington and Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and is the founder of Mindful Members Insight Meditation Community in Charlotte, NC.
In former years, King managed training and organizational development divisions at Levi Strauss and Intel corporations where she designed diversity awareness programs and consulted to leaders on cultural change initiatives, including the behavioral implications of mergers and acquisitions. A world traveler, King’s work has been influenced by many cultures, and is often described as “ceremony.” Her intuitive methods, knowledge, and skills weave the fields of Western psychology, Buddhist philosophy, leadership development, mindfulness meditation, and fun!
Currently recognized as a trainer of trainers and consultant to consultants, King offers talks on The Racial Awareness Rubik and teaches the Mindful of Race Training and Facilitation programs, which blends mindfulness principles and meditation with an exploration of our racial conditioning, its impact, and our potential. Both dynamic and compassionate, King speaks to the heart of her audiences with authenticity and joy.
King has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA, and is the author of several publications including Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible and Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism From The Inside Out. Review other influences here.
King, African American and native Californian, living over 25 years in the Bay Area, currently resides in Charlotte, NC, with life partner, Dr. Barbara Riley, and cat, Mr. Socks.
Insight Meditation Teacher and Emotional Wisdom Author, Life Coach, and Consultant
Ruth King is an emotional wisdom author, coach, and consultant. She is a guiding teacher at Insight Meditation Community of Washington, on the teacher’s council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and is the founder of Mindful Members Insight Meditation Community in Charlotte, NC.
In former years, King managed training and organizational development divisions at Levi Strauss and Intel corporations where she designed leadership programs and consulted on cultural change initiatives, and diversity awareness, including the behavioral implications of mergers and acquisitions.
Currently recognized as a trainer of trainers and consultant to consultants, King offers talks on The Racial Awareness Rubik and teaches the Mindful of Race Training Program, which blends mindfulness meditation principles with an exploration of our racial conditioning, its impact, and our potential.
King has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA, and is the author of several publications including: Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible and Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism From The Inside Out. Visit ruthking.net
Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out
Publishers Weekly. 265.17 (Apr. 23, 2018): p80.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out
Ruth King. Sounds True, $17.95 trade paper
(280p) ISBN 978-1-68364-081-3
Meditation instructor King draws on her long experience with meditation and diversity consulting for multinational companies (such as Levi Strauss and Intel) in this helpful overview of using meditation and mindfulness to work through pain and conflict rooted in structural racism. King offers clear and specific guidelines for meditation practices intended to help both people of color and white people work through racial trauma and contribute to dismantling racism. For example, King outlines a framework for dealing with difficult emotions through four steps: recognizing, allowing, investigating, and not identifying. Her voice is expert yet soothing as she shares personal stories as well as facts about racial disparities in society to fully establish the problems stemming from racism and why they should be resolved. "Racism is a heart disease," she writes. "How we think and respond is at the heart of racial suffering and racial healing. If we cannot think clearly and respond wisely, we will continue to damage the world heart." Although the book is directed toward an audience already interested in antiracist work and meditation, King's keen advice will be impactful for anyone looking to deepen a meditation practice or invest further in racial awareness and justice. June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out." Publishers Weekly, 23 Apr. 2018, p. 80. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A536532947/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=00b3e5bf. Accessed 25 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A536532947
Healing Rage
California Bookwatch. (Oct. 2007):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2007 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Full Text:
Healing Rage Ruth King, MA Gotham Books 345 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014 9781592403141, $22.00 www.penguin.com
Ruth King, MA, is a life coach who has devoted much of her life work to understanding the power and purposes of rage: HEALING RAGE: WOMEN MAKING INNER PEACE POSSIBLE thus reflects her entire life's work and focus in teaching women how to confront personal rage and turn it into a tool for positive change. Chapters discuss the distraction disguises of rage, body and mind awareness, and more, making this a recommended pick not only for new age collections, but for any general-interest collection strong in self-help and psychology.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Healing Rage." California Bookwatch, Oct. 2007. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A169679070/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=a2bb8da6. Accessed 25 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A169679070
Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible
Publishers Weekly. 254.25 (June 18, 2007): p48.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2007 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible RUTH KING, FOREWORD BY JACK KORNFIELD. Gotham, $22 (240p) ISBN 978-1-592-40314-1
How to tell the difference between rage and plain, everyday anger? Anger, explains King, a life coach and management consultant, is primarily associated with a current injustice or disappointment. Rage, on the other hand, is accumulated anger from past traumas that is "locked in our bodies and minds." Or as they say in 12-step programs: "If it's hysterical, it's historical." This is essentially a workbook to unlock that childhood trauma. It includes ways to understand how rage can mask itself (dominance, depression, etc.), questions to locate the rage and exercises to help process it. The book may be a valuable first step in recognizing unprocessed childhood trauma, especially for women. King speaks with insight and empathy about her own rage, rooted in a harsh childhood in South-Central L.A., and the experiences of others. And the exercises, while not new (journaling, imagining an inner rage child), can perhaps help some readers become more aware of the triggers that ignite their rage. Some women might be well advised to seek professional help, too, but King offers a starting place for women whose lives are being distorted by unrecognized rage. (Aug. 2)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible." Publishers Weekly, 18 June 2007, p. 48. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A165821366/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=ff08f8c8. Accessed 25 July 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A165821366
Book Review: Mindful of Race
Understanding and Transforming Habits of Harm
by Ruth King – Sounds True
reviewed by Damon Orion
Practice
Buy Now
MEDITATION TEACHER, life coach, and diversity consultant Ruth King has been using mindfulness meditation as a catalyst for improved racial harmony for more than 20 years. The founder of the Mindful Members Practice Community and a core teacher at Tara Brach’s Insight Meditation Community and the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, she has taught a 31⁄2-day Mindfulness of Race training program since 2010.
King begins her book Mindful of Race by guiding us through our conscious and unconscious narratives and habits around race. She explores the media’s portrayal of African Americans as criminals, the ways this contributes to racial violence, and the role that factors like early trauma, ancestry, and group identity play in racial unrest. In the process, we learn about the historical roots of divisive tactics still in use, such as how 16th-century British slave owner William Lynch—the namesake of the term lynching—deliberately sowed the seeds of fear, distrust, and envy to keep his slaves submissive.
WE LEARN TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF RACIAL DISTRESS WITHOUT ABSORBING THE NEGATIVITY.
In Part 2, we learn to deal with issues of racial distress without absorbing the negativity. Among the methods that King presents are sitting meditation, walking meditation, Metta (kindness) practice, and a means of dealing with difficult emotions known as RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nonidentification.
Mindful of Race’s third and final section offers sugges- tions for how to talk to our kids about race, form racial affinity groups, and have constructive conversations about hot-button topics. Using the Bodhisattva archetype as a reference point, King discusses the relationship between economics and racism, the use of art as cultural medicine, how to handle white privilege, and practices for cultivating compassion and equanimity.
As King writes, “Racism is a heart disease—and it’s curable!”
Monday, October 30, 2017
Mindful of Race: Understanding and Transforming Habits of Harm. Ruth King
5 of 5 stars
Author Ruth King says what needs to be said. If we continue to give the very word race the power and the fear that it's had thus far, then we choose to let it pull at the American tapestry. This country was not born in a vacuum.
Unless we mention certain explorers, then we have to know that we were born of different races and we have grown in that direction. In fact, one of psychic Sylvia Browne's predictions was that one day, we would all have skin a lovely mocha color because of the mixing of races. What then organization's of hate?
King states that racism is a curable heart condition.
It's true.
King notes the importance of being mindful of the hurt that we put onto one another. So needless. So. On. Time.
Print Length: 256 pages
Publisher: Sounds True (June 1, 2018)
Publication Date: June 1, 2018
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B073ZVY4SX
About the Author:
Ruth King is a core teacher at Tara Brach’s Insight Meditation Community and the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and the founder of the Mindful Members Practice Community in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she resides. At Levi Strauss, Intel, and other organizations, she coached executives and sta? in transformative leadership and the awareness of racial wounding and its healing. She is the author of Healing Rage: Women Making Inner Peace Possible (Gotham, 2007).