Community Initiatives

Radical Compassion Social Justice Project

The Nalanda Institute community is dedicated to the fundamental principles of equality, justice, kindness and wisdom, and grounded in the timeless truths that each and every human being— regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, or worldview—has the natural power, right, and responsibility to become as healthy, happy, caring, creative, and free as is humanly possible.

In the clear awareness that we as a society, community, and as individuals fall painfully short of realizing and embodying these principles and truths, our radical compassion initiative is meant to help our members—old, new, and aspiring—grow to deeply understand, express, and enact them. We do this in every aspect of our communal and personal lives, and in our programs, classes, events, and offerings.

The Radical Compassion Social Justice Project is a community committed to using contemplative practice and social engagement to expose, correct, and heal these corrosive ills.

Here are a few of our current initiatives:

  • The “Radical Compassion Project at Nalanda Institute” group on Facebook. This is a “private” safe space for all to explore, openly investigate, quietly observe, and engage in shared dialogue. It serves as a kind of ‘think tank’ in which we can process what it means to be following the contemplative path, investigating our internal and embodied experiences of intersectional identity, while remaining committed to social engagement and working to alleviate forms of inner and outer suffering that manifest through systemic racism.
  • We meet in person in dialog and friendship to explore vital topics of engagement. In the fall of 2017, we began exploring Larry Yang’s book Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community.
  • The “Exploring White Privilege” affinity group, co-facilitated by Abby Eletz and Geri Loizzo meets monthly in New York City.
  • “Contemplative Practice as Social Practice Panel and Dialogue,” held twice yearly.
  • A weekly ”Contemplative Practice as Social Practice ” Lunchtime Meditation for those concerned with issues surrounding social justice. At Tibet House US, Mondays, 1:00–1:45 pm.

Co-Directors: Geri Loizzo and Helen Park, LMSW

Facilitators: Doris Chang, PhD; Nina Herzog; Pilar Jennings, PhD; Susanna Nicholson, MPhil, CICH; Tazuko Shibusawa, LCSW, PhD; and Scott Tusa

If you would like to participate in the Radical Compassion Social Justice Project, please email us at socialjustice@nalandainstitute.org