The Popularization of Mindfulness: Fears Unfounded and Otherwise

I recently came across an interesting set of notes from a speech about current innovations in Buddhism/mindfulness. About 3/4 of the way down the page, the author gets into what he calls the problem of "yogification"--so named because, "In just thirty years, yoga has seen itself move from being a genuine spiritual discipline into a mundane stretching exercise available at every gym." Similarly, he worries that one potential problem is that mindfulness practice could become "merely a stress-reduction trick".

This worry is nothing new, it's been expressed in every generation, and there is certainly a place for vigilance. I have a respectful but differing perspective. I am hard-pressed to see a difference between what could be framed as a superficial sort of meditation--by just staying plugged into your electronic, virtual brain (like with his Buddhify app or Rewire, for example)--and the popularization of elementary aspects of hatha yoga as problematic. We could similarly worry that kindergarteners' language skills are generally not Pulitzer-worthy.

At a time when physical education programs are being dropped from our schools and mindfulness app creators are speaking of "innovating" mindfulness teachings in such a way that they feel adapted to each new Zeitgeist and local culture, how bad is it that ANY form of exercise has a certain, trendy shine or spin to it? We have too many fat kids and adults as is, and a hard enough time getting good food on our tables, so I would encourage almost anyone to stretch, sweat, and enjoy their bodies as is generally recommended even by "yoga" teachers who are "only" supportive stretching coaches. Basically, "yoga" has been Americanized/Westernized and modernized, creating some sense of connection to our universal history and to specific traditions and the current communities who are hardcore about those traditions. It's gonna be ok.

The question is not whether hard cores are watered down by popularization--generally they have more opportunities for advertising and recruitment and the inner circles retain a sense of exclusivity anyway. Anyone not steeped in the culture, education, and practice of these traditions will interpret them in a somewhat uninformed, elementary manner. That's how we begin learning most things. It is not a problem that kindergarteners aren't Ph.D-level English academics or globetrotting, adventurous writers or weirdly creative recluses. It's actually great that kids learn to read and write. What's more, you don't need to care AT ALL about: the origins of our 26-letter alphabet, the English language (for myself and my readers), the history of spoken and written language, or the evolutionary developments that led humans to language--in order to be an awesome writer or orator.

The reality is that people will continue to put on their "Zen faces" and pretend to know more than they do, practice better/harder than they do, and place themselves above other people who do/know less. This has always happened and it is hard to see any end in sight. Social status is part of what we do as social animals. To the same extent that I'm sure the creators of these apps have had to address the criticism that what they're doing isn't "the real thing", the worry about yogification may be unnecessary. The same quest for status will continue to push individuals interested in mindfulness to compare their practices and insight to other folks' practices and insight; the same hubris that pushes for inflated grandiosity will push for critique (see this post or Rohan's comments for examples:). Transparency and familiarity allow one to trade out worry for clarity and allow one to trust oneself in these open, mutually supportive communities. If stretching or checking your iPhone can get you started or keep you involved, head on down to the local studio or download that app today! We will continue to check out whether your pants are cool, whether you're as poised as I am in tree pose, and whether your Android is better than my chosen gizmo...and breeeeathe.