The ludicrous McMindfulness meme develops apace, infecting all aspects of public culture, education and psychotherapeutic practice. Here are a few recent articles of mine suggesting ways of challenging this manic phenomenon.
Hello Terry,
A recent paper ponders your question:
Article Van Gordon, W., Shonin, E., & Griffiths, M. (2015). Are cont...
I view it like the downward social mobility of athletes' training wear. Sure, track suits and trainers are now largely worn by people who have never even broken into a brisk trot, but that's their loss. In the same way, yoga became 'looking good in lycra' and Christianity has become buying sentimental kitschy angel merchandise.
McMindfulness (I love this term!) is just another case of religion being mugged by capitalism and losing its most precious possessions. I don't see any need to 'do' anything about it. It's harmless, but if you think that it's preventing people from developing into Buddhists, I fear that you are overstating the attractions of Buddhism. Frankly, people do not generally become Buddhists because they have grown tired of buying shoes or they no longer get a kick out of tinned beer. Nor does Buddhism have much to offer by way of comfort. It's a hard-working agenda. Most people, I reckon, would rather carry on shopping. Each purchase buys you time on the snooze button of the alarm clock of life.
Béatrice-Marianne: happy new year! As ever, a really useful contribution to the discussion.
http://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/the-5-mindfulness-trainings/
Dear Ronan,
Happy New Year 2016 to you too as well as to others. Thank you for the compliment!
"Mindfulness" is part of such a collection of teachings, approaches, etc. belonging to many spiritual traditions. I has certainly become "mainstream" and that will always l lead to a dilution and corruption. On the other hand, its is encouraging so many "ordinary folks" to become exposed to at least, some version of these teachings. People will keep what they find is useful, and I think the "Mindfulness" programs will fade out as the "fad" passes on like they all do, hopefully leaving behind a larger and sincere group practitioners. I've been offering a "Mindfully Grieving" group for the last 5 years at our Hospice. With out the mainstreaming of mindfulness, there's no way I would continue to have good attendance for the group. I offer a secular approach (but based in Buddhism, per my personal training and teaching), with simple practices and readings. Every once is a while someone will connect enough to the practices and continue on with local groups and programs (my course is 6 sessions only). I certainly agree, the McMindfulless- mainstreaming of mindfulness has led to some real unfortunate messages, assertions, about what mindfulness is, can do, how to do it, etc. on balance thought, I hope the greater popularity will lead to a net gain of practitioners.
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