Intelligence Squared The Mindfulness Myth, with Ronald Purser and Helen Lewis
Sep 20, 2019
Join Ronald Purser, a Professor of Management and author of McMindfulness, as he critiques the commercialization of mindfulness with Helen Lewis from The Atlantic. They explore how mindfulness, once a spiritual practice, has transformed into a capitalist tool, often avoiding deeper societal change. From its surprising adoption in Silicon Valley and the military to its role in corporate wellness, Purser challenges the sincerity behind modern mindfulness. This insightful conversation questions whether mindfulness can genuinely promote social transformation or simply reinforces the status quo.
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Mindfulness Evolution
- Mindfulness has evolved from ancient Buddhist practice to a modern, mainstream therapeutic technique.
- It's now used for stress reduction and other purposes, even by corporations like Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Individual vs. Systemic
- Modern mindfulness puts the onus on individuals to adapt to existing conditions, rather than questioning those conditions.
- This can reinforce the status quo, especially in the workplace, instead of prompting needed change.
Buddhist Roots
- Traditional Buddhist mindfulness was part of a larger path of spiritual development, not a standalone practice.
- It involved rigorous self-examination, often stress-inducing rather than stress-reducing, unlike its modern counterpart.
