Please post any interesting critiques here. 

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Interesting Guardian Article: 'Why are we trying to think less when we need to think more? The neutered, apolitical approach of mindfulness ignores the structural difficulties we live with'.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/06/mindfulness-is...

Interesting article and we should welcome diverse views especially as mindfulness has so much momentum behind it. That said, I don't agree that it has nothing to do with addressing society - its got everything to do with it. There is some evidence that it enables empathic responses which coupled with a compassionate stance should make a difference, albeit on a small scale. Then there are those people subject to lifelong bullying who need a break from their own self bullying - and that requires a more mindful as opposed to a mindless stance towards self. Mindfulness is not just about meditation it can also involve being more balanced about your own thoughts in relation to self and others, and may involve less prejudiced and judgemental positions.

Yes. I agree.  And I think it is wrong to equate it with passivity.  Mindfulness in fact requires a very active engagement.  It is, however, helpful and interesting - I think - to question what might be some of the hidden motivations, in some quarters, for the wholesale promotion of this approach . . .

Hyland, T. (2015) The Limits of Mindfulness: Emerging Issues for Education, British Journal of Educational Studies. Advance publication.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are being actively implemented in a wide range of fields – psychology, mind/body health care and education at all levels – and there is growing evidence of their effectiveness in aiding present-moment focus, fostering emotional stability, and enhancing general mind/body well-being. However, as often happens with popular innovations, the burgeoning interest in and appeal of mindfulness practice has led to a reductionism and commodification – popularly labelled ‘McMindfulness’ – of the underpinning principles and ethical foundations of such practice which threatens to subvert and militate against the achievement of the original aims of MBIs in general and their educational function in particular. It is argued here that mindfulness practice needs to be organically connected to its spiritual roots if the educational benefits of such practice are to be fully realised.

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