What is McMindfulness? Why keeping the dharma and philosophical context from Buddhism matters.

I wanted to recommend a video to my network that critiques the commercialization of mindfulness meditation, particularly in the context of workplaces. The main argument in this video is that the way mindfulness is being marketed and used by corporations often ignores its ethical and spiritual roots, and instead promotes individualistic self-improvement rather than social change. Please give it a watch!

This is a topic that speaks volumes to my personal inner conflict as someone who needs to support themselves while being a teacher in the business of wellness, mindfulness, and meditation. On one hand, I want to provide my students with the most authentic teachings that I can, but on the other hand, I know that my livelihood depends on me catering to a wider audience. As a result, I sometimes fall into the trap of watering down my spiritual content so that it's more palatable to the masses.

While I recognize the importance of promoting the scientific benefits of a meditation practice, I am very tired of watering down my roots. I volunteered at a Buddhist school for years before I was stable enough in my mental health and through enough schooling in order to sustain myself financially. Through yoga practices I learned how to tame my inner fire and through the concepts of Tibetan Buddhism, I learned how to exist with my inner fire, wisdom, and thoughts instead of constantly feeling the urge to flee and fight who I was and who I was authentically destined to become. 

Through branching out, owning my own domain and writing about what speaks true to me I hope to find a balance between the two. When I guide, when I teach, when I am hands on with another being, I am doing my best to incorporate both scientific and spiritual perspectives into my actions. By doing so, I can help my clients understand that there are many different paths to achieving a more mindful and fulfilling life.