What's Wrong with Mindfulness (And What Isn't): Zen Perspectives

by Barry Magid (editor), Robert Rosenbaum

Mindfulness seems to be everywhere—but are we sure that's a good thing? Teachers Sallie Jiko Tisdale, Gil Fronsdal, Norman Fischer, and more explain how removing mindfulness from Buddhism may set a dangerous precedent. Mindfulness is in fashion. Oprah loves it, Google teaches it to employees—it has become widespread as a cure-all for stress, health problems and psychological difficulties, interpersonal trouble, and existential anxiety. However, when its proponents try to make it more accessible by severing it from its Buddhist roots, they run the risk of leeching mindfulness of its transformative power. Taught outside of its ethical and spiritual context it becomes a mere means to an end, rather than a way of life. Mindfulness is in danger of being co-opted into the spiritual equivalent of fast “McMindfulness.” Instead of being better people, we just become better employees, better consumers. The Zen teachers gathered here ask a bold Is universal mindfulness really a good thing? Ranging from thoughtful critiques to personal accounts of integrating mindfulness into daily life, each chapter offers insights to ground mindfulness in a deeper understanding of both where it comes from, and where it might be headed.  With contributions from Marc Poirer, Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum, Barry Magid, Hozan Alan Senauke, Sallie Jiko Tisdale, Gil Fronsdal, Max Erdstein, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Janet Jiryu Abels, Grace Schireson, Sojun Mel Weitsman, and Robert Sharf.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2016

Reviews

[Vern Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting view of current trends into what we Western think of mindfulness and the science "backing" it up.

[Fiona O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting critical perspectives on the commodification of mindfulness and the challenges of accurate definition in the Western world.

[Lynette Monteiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review here:

https://108zenbooks.com/2016/11/18/bo...

Excerpt:

There is much right and much wrong in this book. In part, it seems an attempt (as are many criticisms of modern mindfulness) to shut the blasted-open barn door by hoping that these criticisms will bring prodigal ponies back home to their stalls. But all is not totally lost, irreversibly. The writings on Zen found primarily in the first section of Critical Concerns are good (if you read around the criticisms) and what one would expect of such lauded teachers. The second section on Creative Engagement slides around with little to anchor it in mindfulness (the primary consideration here) and much less to give one confidence in what isn’t wrong with it. The sole exception in this section – and in fact in the whole book – is the chapter by Gil Frondsal and Max Erdstein; read this one with the intention of savouring every word!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays in this collection do a nice job explaining the misunderstanding of what mindfulnes actually is, along with highlighting the quest for an easy spiritual fix.
I have been on retreats with many wonderful teachers, but Barry Magid's personality, perspective, and teaching resonate the most, but in retreats and in his writings.

[Yolanda Blanch Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if gou are interested in mindfulness. the book has important points to think about, you do agree with them or not.