Exploring “otherism” through Zen practice with Sensei Dhara Kowal
Sensei Dhara Kowal welcomed all participants from the previous day’s workshop, recalling her first workshop experience over 20 years ago.
She vividly remembered the energy and unified chanting during the Sunday morning sitting in the Zendo, which left a lasting impression on her.
The focus of her teisho was “otherism,” often synonymous with “othering”.
While this concept is vast and complex, Sensei Dhara aimed to approach it through Zen practice, fostering clear and stable awareness in daily interactions.
Otherism, at its core, involves treating individuals perceived as different or separate from oneself.
Although numerous academic definitions exist, Sensei Dhara chose to explore otherism from a Zen perspective, integrating this understanding into everyday life.
She highlighted that our relationships extend beyond humans to animals, nature, and objects, but her talk would center on human interactions.
These encounters, whether with family, friends, or strangers, form micro-connections, often communicated through non-verbal cues such as eye contact, gestures, and body language.
Sensei Dhara emphasized that Zen practice helps us see beyond superficial separations.
She pointed out our interdependence, as reflected in Master Hakuin’s chant, “This very body is the body of Buddha”, which indicates a larger interconnectedness beyond our physical form.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s metaphor of a cloud in a piece of paper beautifully illustrated this interbeing, underscoring that nothing exists in isolation.
Despite apparent differences, a deeper understanding reveals our fundamental interconnectedness.
Sensei Dhara explained that regular Zen practice, through sitting and mindfulness, enables us to see beyond conditioned responses and form genuine connections.
This practice teaches us to drop labels and distinctions, fostering a heart-centered approach to interactions.
By embracing Zen practice, Sensei Dhara believes we can move towards a world where the concept of “other” diminishes, recognizing our shared existence, and leading to deeper compassion and unity.
