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Explore the fascinating connection between meditation and politics, revealing how mindfulness practices are intertwined with social justice struggles. Discover the historical challenges faced by practitioners in places like Tibet and India. Additionally, the discussion touches on skepticism within the medical community about mindfulness's effectiveness for chronic illness, emphasizing the importance of empathy and our shared humanity in overcoming societal issues.
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Quick takeaways
- Meditation's roots are deeply political, originating from the struggles of practitioners in oppressive contexts like Tibet and India.
- Jon Kabat-Zinn's MBSR highlights the connection between mindfulness, social justice, and the importance of collective liberation in modern practices.
Deep dives
The Political Roots of Meditation
Meditation inherently encompasses political dimensions, rooted in the histories of places like Tibet and India, where practitioners have fought to keep these practices alive amidst oppression. The practice cannot be separated from its origins, as doing so would undermine the sacrifices made to preserve its lineage. Specifically, the Cogyu tradition, from which many mindfulness practices are derived, has a history marked by the challenges faced by Tibetan masters fleeing their homeland due to conflict. This historical context highlights that mindfulness and meditation's essence is democratic, empowering individuals rather than institutions, and thus intertwining with social justice issues.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode