'In the quest for enlightenment, is being [Black or POC] a help or a hindrance, or does it not make any difference?

As you approach adulthood, uncertainty about your [Identity] followed by the realization that you are “different” from others may force you to disidentify

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from socially conditioned patterns of thought and behavior. This will automatically raise your level of consciousness above that of the unconscious majority, whose members unquestioningly take on board all inherited patterns. In that respect, being [Black or POC] can be a

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help. Being an outsider to some extent, someone who does not “fit in” with others or is rejected by them for whatever reason, makes life difficult, but it also places you at an advantage as far as enlightenment is concerned. It takes you out of unconsciousness almost by

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force.

On the other hand, if you then develop a sense of identity based on your [race/ethnicity], you have escaped one trap only to fall into another. You will play roles and games dictated by a mental image you have of yourself as [Black or POC]. You will become

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unconscious. You will become unreal. Underneath your ego mask, you will become very unhappy. If this happens to you, being [Black or POC] will have become a hindrance. But you always get another chance, of course. Acute unhappiness can be a great awakener.'

from The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

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@audubonballroon Tolle in some sense is an extremely white guy. If this question applied to me I would seek out a teacher who has a similar situation to wrestle with. I don’t think white folks are likely to have skillful things to say about letting go of fixed identities for people on the persecuted side of a societal power imbalance as much as we are likely to say really dumb things that are harmful.

@jayalane

There is an idea that white people shouln't be inserting themselves into Black threads

What made you assume I hadn't considered the above?

Assuming that I haven't already considered what you wrote is a form of racism.

Why not assume that Black People have the same knowledge as you going forward.

I'm not sure what other assumptions you've made about me based on my post above.

I'm autistic so I'm better with those who explain themselves fully in a first reply

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@jayalane

I'm mulling over what he wrote above.

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@audubonballroon Sorry when I write that I didn't realize you are Black - I thought it was just some random white Zen stuff. I would delete it but you replied so I will let the record stand with my foolish words. I personally don't find as much value in Tolle as many others do, but that would be my limitation.