Stop forcing your mindfulness on me
As the Buddhist meditation practice has morphed into a billion-dollar industry, it has taken on an almost cult-like status, becoming nearly inescapable in conversations about mental health and personal well-being, especially within the tech world. However, I don’t think mindfulness is the cure-all it’s sold as.
Modern Mindfulness
Mindfulness as a practice today is loosely based on the Buddhist concept of Sati
- However, there isn’t a single word in the text that translates to “now” or “present,” which is central to its modern application.
- What has remained consistent is the use of meditation in pursuit of greater self-awareness, coupled with a rejection of the egocentric mode of existence.
Is Mindfulness Harmless?
Not everyone believes mindfulness is harmless
- Some researchers suggest that the lack of empirical studies on how mindfulness is practiced may lead to harm or disappointment
- Mindfulness often seeks to silence nagging thoughts that humans developed to motivate their quest for survival
- We’re wired to feel good when our needs are being met and bad when they are not
- Many who practice mindfulness suggest these survival instincts are ill-suited to navigate the modern world
- The idea that society is not conducive to our natural instincts, thoughts, and feelings is potentially harmful message
Viable Alternatives to Mindfulness
There are other activities that offer the same temporary escape, without attempting to establish a more permanent detachment from the ego
- Exercising, listening to music, playing sports, practicing art, or engaging in any activity that helps temporarily shut out the rest of the world can provide the same sense of relief