Themes & Resources

Mindfulness training and practice in western societies continues to expand beyond therapeutic, clinical contexts, into communities, workplaces, schools, prisons and even parliaments. This mainstreaming of mindfulness in secular settings has implications for wider social change, and presents both opportunities and challenges. A key question for our network and others seeking positive change to address social, economic and environmental problems is: how can we harness the potential for mindfulness training and practice to promote the transition to more sustainable, caring and socially just societies?

Here are some of the themes and questions that are evolving in this collective inquiry:

Social and political change

Key questions: What are the opportunities and risks for progressive social change as mindfulness, in various forms, becomes more prevalent? What is the relevance of mindfulness in the context of political concerns such as inter-cultural tension, economic insecurity and climate change?

Read More “Social and political change”

Diversity and inclusion

Key questions: Why is it important for the mindfulness ‘sector’ to understand and respond to issues around power, privilege, diversity and inclusion, and identity? What does this mean for mindfulness centres, teachers and teacher trainers? How does this affect programme design and pedagogy; understandings or knowledge and being ‘evidence-based’; and accessibility and relevance?

Sustainability

Key questions: How might mindfulness practice contribute to ways of life, institutions, forms of governance and economic changes that promote the integrity of ecosystems on which current and future generations of humans and other species depend?

Social change practice

Key questions: What can mindfulness training and practice offer to people who work to address social, economic and environmental challenges, such as activists, campaigners, community groups, aid workers and policy makers? How might courses be adapted to meet the needs of these audiences?

Organisations and communities

Key questions: What are the limitations of individualised approaches to wellbeing, and how can communities and workplaces be transformed to support the mindfulness and wellbeing of individuals? How can mindfulness practices help people build cohesive communities in their homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces, cities and regions?

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