

"love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters."
That’s not entirely surprising, since she also seems to enjoy shattering them. She’s a black queer woman in an American Buddhist tradition often steered by white men; a Buddhist operating in activist circles of mostly Christians and Jews; a leader of the Religious Left who doesn’t use the word “God.”
And while Williams — whose first and last name isn’t capitalized — is known as a hard-charging activist for racial justice, she also has a knack for mixing difficult conversation with easy laughter.
When the author and Buddhist teacher agreed to be interviewed for this story, for instance, she invited me not to a meditation center or sacred locale, but to her upscale apartment along the river in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The decor was something akin to minimalist Buddhist chic, but also included trace elements of whimsy, such as the shiny, skull-shaped candle holder that sat atop her coffee table. Reclining on her couch for our interview, Williams spoke slowly and deliberately, choosing her words carefully as the sun reflected off the river and onto the nearby wall.
“The first time I got arrested many years ago was here in New York—it was over by the Hudson River,” she told me. “I frankly can’t even remember what it was about.”
Read the full interview here: https://thinkprogress.org/angel-kyodo-williams-0357aa186187/
by aboutangel
In this profound conversation, Tami Simon and Rev. angel take a deep look at how society shapes our sense of belonging—and how we can all take back the power to belong for ourselves.
by aboutangel
A companion conversation in the On Being episode that has been re-aired for the third time — Krista catches up with Rev. angel Kyodo Williams on how she’s keeping her fearlessness alive through pandemics and rupture.
by aboutangel
This prophetic conversation, which Rev. angel Kyodo Williams had with Krista in 2018, is an invitation to imagine and nourish the transformative potential of this moment — toward human wholeness.
by maria
The Auburn Senior Fellows represent six religions and many Christian denominations, dozens of organizations, and pulpits with global reach; the fellowship convened by Auburn Seminary in New York City.
Rev. angel is partnering with MNDFL to bring a monthly Virtual Sound Bath, which you can enjoy every half/day SIT Saturday, between 1st & 2nd SIT sessions.
Give yourself a moment to slow down, return to yourself and mindfully set intentions for how you want to BE in the New Year.