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

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. But when mindfulness is separated from the Buddhist tradition, is something lost?

The Zen teachers gathered here each offer a unique perspective on what “mindfulness” means, its strengths, and the potential pitfalls.

Gil Fronsdal and Max Erdstein thoughtfully explore the rich Pali roots of mindfulness

Barry Magid and Marc Poirier examine the unintended side effects of exposing a spiritual tradition to the demands of capitalism

Norman Fischer demonstrates how mindfulness informs his creative process

Grace Schireson shows how mindfulness allows her to engage fully with the world as a feminist

And more, including essays on mindfulness and environmentalism, science, and psychology.

Each chapter offers insights to ground mindfulness in a deeper understanding of both where it comes from, and where it might be headed.

Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum is a neuropsychologist and psychotherapist who now devotes himself full time to Zen and Dayan (Wild Goose) Qigong. He received lay entrustment from Sojun Mel Weitsman of Berkeley Zen Center and is authorized by Master Hui Liu as a senior teacher of the Taoist practice of qigong in the lineage of Yang Meijun.  Bob is the founding teacher of the Meadowmont Sangha in the Sierra foothills and the author of Walking the Way: 81 Zen Encounters with the Tao Te Ching and Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy.  He also enjoys leading annual meditation/qigong trekking retreats in the Nepal Himalayas (www.zenqigong.com). Rosenbaum lives in Emeryville, CA.

Barry Magid is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst practicing in New York City, and the founding teacher of the Ordinary Mind Zendo, also in New York. He is the author of the Wisdom titles Ordinary Mind: Exploring the Common Ground of Zen and Psychoanalysis, Ending the Pursuit of Happiness: A Zen Guide, and Nothing Is Hidden: The Psychology of Zen Koans. Magid lives in New York, NY.