McMindfulness

Rather, the mindful imperative to “accept things as they are” while practicing “nonjudgmental, present moment awareness” acts as a social anesthesia, preserving the status quo.

“ignoring the massively entrenched power of capitalist institutions in favor of a mystical notion of all wisdom being inside oneself.”

“ignoring the massively entrenched power of capitalist institutions in favor of a mystical notion of all wisdom being inside oneself.”

Dana Becker has coined the term “stressism” to describe the current belief that the tensions of contemporary life are primarily individual lifestyle problems to be solved through managing stress, as opposed to the belief that these tensions are linked to social forces and need to be resolved primarily through social and political means.

The cruelty lies in supporting the status quo while using the language of transformation

Neglecting shared vulnerabilities and interdependence, we disimagine the collective ways we might protect ourselves. And despite the emptiness of nurturing fantasies, we continue to cling to them.

Speaking loudly or showing any signs of strong emotions or criticism tends to elicit incredulous looks.

Attending a mindfulness conference reveals the pretentious facades of the holier than thou

When negative emotions are seen as things that must be acknowledged and let go of, but never engaged, they lose their significance.

Since stress is pathologized, mindfulness programs step in with an individualized focus on a subject’s inner life. Emotional reactions are problematized, and subjected to mindful scrutiny. According to mindfulness science, certain emotions — such as anger, disgust, sadness, contempt, frustration and aggression — are “destructive,” negative affects requiring emotional self-regulation.