Branding Mindfulness:
Losing the Labels
by Maya Frost
I've been fielding some
interesting emails on the topic
of what I refer to as
"engaged mindfulness"--using
your awareness as a way of
connecting and helping others.
I cheerfully "stole" it from the
concept of "socially engaged
Buddhism"--which is essentially
the same thing but with a Buddhist
label on it and a few Buddhist
terms of engagement.
I love the idea of taking what
we learn about ourselves, our
responses, and our world and
then getting out there to engage
more meaningfully and with
greater intention and awareness.
But does mindfulness have to
be branded? Can it stand on
its own without the Buddhist
package?
I think so. I don't believe that
mindfulness NEEDS a label.
Isn't awareness a pretty
pure thing? Do we need to
attach it to something? And
isn't it ironic that it seems to
be attached to Buddhism, which
has as its core principle the
concept that attachment leads
to suffering?
Of course, it doesn't matter in
the slightest if you call it
"engaged mindfulness" or
anything else. Being intentional?
Doing good deeds? Digging in?
Giving back? Paying it forward?
Workin' it?
When it comes to simply learning
more about yourself and offering
your best to others, the language
doesn't matter. Use whatever
suits you.
Just as the Buddhists don't
own the trademark on "mindfulness"
or "compassion", the Christians
haven't got exclusive rights to
"service" or "charity".
And the association of
Islam with "fanaticism" is an
unfortunate pairing of a religion
with one of the most basic human
traits--intolerance.
Muslims don't own intolerance--
it's in all of us. Read your local
newspaper or simply attend
any major sports event to witness
how riled we can get whenever
we've got an us-vs.-them
mentality. We all have the
capacity for extremism and we
need to take responsibility for
our own intolerance.
Simplicity.
Compassion.
Generosity.
Tolerance.
In a brand-conscious culture like
ours, it’s funny how often we
label our most basic qualities
and pair them with religions,
political parties, or even
possessions without really
thinking about it.
Here's an idea: go generic.
Want to be compassionate?
Great! Do it--and don't waste a
minute shopping for the best
compassion t-shirt to wear.
Want to be mindful? Cool!
Do it--without hunting for a
guru, a retreat, or a
particular brand of awareness.
Feeling intolerant? You're
human. See it, and find a way
to dissolve it.
Listen, if the Buddhist or
Christian or Islam (or any other)
label helps you become your best
in a way that feels authentic to you,
that's great. But if you've been
shopping and just can't find the
right brand of basic human
goodness, consider going generic.
Just be mindful, compassionate,
and generous. Period.
And share your own unique brand
of it with the world.
© Copyright 2007, Maya Frost
Maya Frost has taught thousands of people how to pay attention. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training™, she offers playful, powerful, eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To read her free tips and tricks for everyday awareness, visit
http://www.Real-WorldMindfulness.com
