Dr. Pamela Ayo Yetunde is a pastoral counselor, writer, instructor and speaker.

Her articles appear in Buddhadharma, Lion's Roar, Journal of Buddhist-Christian Studies, Religions and Feminist Theology. She is an interfaith pan-Buddhist practitioner.

Pamela Ayo Yetunde, J.D., M.A., Th.D., did her post-doctoral work at Harvard Divinity School, earned a Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, earned her M.A. in Culture and Spirituality from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA and her law degree from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington. She is a Community Dharma Leader certified by Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA.

Learn more about Pamela Ayo Yetunde: https://www.pamelaayoyetunde.com/
Follow Pamela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-ayo-yetunde-j-d-th-d-11b76657/

00:21: Sean introduces Ayo
03:55: An overview of today’s agenda
05:12: Ayo’s personal history with advocacy and why justice means so much to her
13:16: Participants introduce themselves and mention one thing that concerns them about being mindful, as it relates to justice.
47:22: Myth busting around mindfulness and social justice
50:00: Mindfulness comes out of a tradition that is deeply rooted in ethics and taking care of ourselves and others
51:52: Ethics as choosing the action that minimizes harm and produces the best outcome for all
56:00: Governmental ethics that the mindfulness teachings come from
(From the book: An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics, by Peter Harvey, 2002)
1:05:00 5-minute break during which Sean recommends Sharon Salzberg’s book: Real Change and this interview with Sharon on the topic.
1:06:00: The comfort found in ancient wisdom teachings that present us with what a mindful government can be
1:07:04: What’s coming up for you?
1:26:30: How to respond to the tired, exhausted voice within
1:28:30: Ayo shares several resources:
The Inner Work of Racial Justice by Rhonda McGee
Sattipathana Sutta, translation by Analayo
Thich Naht Hanh’s 14 mindfulness teachings, especially the following:
9th mindfulness training – truthful and loving speech
10th training – protecting and nourishing the sangha
1:39:00: Comments on the resources shared?
1:43:56: Two questions to sit with:
1) As a mindfulness teacher, will you teach your students about the ethics of justice, from the perspective of mindfulness?
2) How will your mindfulness pedagogy serve the privileged oppressed?
1:46:29: Getting deep down into the tissue of our defensiveness
1:48:15: A call for self-compassion