In recent times, the wave of mindfulness, marked by an influx of therapy methods and meditation apps, has gathered momentum. But a philosopher hailing from the University of Copenhagen issues a warning against accepting underlying philosophical assumptions and possible simplifications of mindfulness without questioning them.
Widespread popularity of mindfulness therapy as a stress management tool is well documented, with many praising its effectiveness. Nevertheless, it’s essential to critically assess the fundamental philosophical principles behind mindfulness and not just accept them as given.
The practice of mindfulness, drawing inspiration from Buddhist meditation traditions, has significantly grown in popularity, finding applications in fields such as education, healthcare, and the workplace. There are various therapies based on mindfulness, and millions worldwide are accessing meditation apps like Headspace and Ten Percent Happier.
The growing demand for mindfulness and its perceived value is evident. But Odysseus Stone, Ph.D., of the University of Copenhagen, argues that several philosophical suppositions about humans and their relationship with the world that form the basis of mindfulness are questionable and warrant thorough examination.
Stone highlights that a central idea in mindfulness is to perceive thoughts and emotions transiently, akin to clouds passing through the sky. While this can be useful in certain situations, like pre-presentation nervousness, he stresses that applying this notion to all thoughts and emotions becomes highly problematic. For instance, feelings of anger toward government decisions must not be trivialized, as they shape our perspectives and connect us to the world.
Navigating the Attention Economy
The battle for attention is a major theme in our digital age, with leading tech companies like Netflix, Facebook, Amazon, or Apple seeking to capture our time on their platforms.
In mindfulness, attention control exercises are seen as an answer to the information flood we face daily. This aspect of mindfulness, aimed at reclaiming control, plays a key role in stress treatment. However, Stone points out that focusing on individual attention fails to address larger societal issues like the attention economy or workplace stress. Rather than change working conditions, employees are offered mindfulness courses.
Furthermore, Stone questions mindfulness’s conception of attention, arguing that it is wrongly seen as a controllable spotlight within an individual’s mind. In contrast, some philosophers and cognitive scientists believe attention is deeply intertwined with our physical and social environment.
The Challenge of Living in the Present
Another pillar of mindfulness philosophy is the belief that humans are often caught up in thoughts of the past and future, hindering our ability to live in the present. We are encouraged to concentrate on the present moment in our daily lives.
While this idea is embraced by many, it raises questions too. Stone argues that our personal narratives, which include our past and future, lend meaning to our lives and may not be mere illusions. Moreover, defining what constitutes the “pure now” or the absolute present moment, which is supposed to be more real, becomes an elusive task. Our experiences and actions are intrinsically linked to our past and future, making them meaningful to us.
In his Ph.D. thesis titled “Engaging mindfulness: a phenomenological investigation and critique” at the University of Copenhagen, Odysseus Stone presents a comprehensive examination of these issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: mindfulness
What is the main subject of the critique by the philosopher from the University of Copenhagen?
The main subject of the critique is the underlying philosophical assumptions and potential oversimplifications within mindfulness practices. The philosopher, Odysseus Stone, challenges commonly accepted principles, such as viewing emotions as transient, the focus on controlling individual attention, and the emphasis on living in the present. He calls for a more critical examination of these principles.
How does mindfulness view thoughts and emotions, according to Odysseus Stone?
According to Odysseus Stone, mindfulness often views thoughts and emotions as temporary events, akin to clouds passing through the sky. The idea is to acknowledge them but not invest them with importance or worry too much about them. Stone argues that this view can be problematic when applied to deeply held convictions and emotions tied to reality.
What is Odysseus Stone’s perspective on the attention economy and mindfulness?
Stone highlights that while mindfulness emphasizes exercises to control individual attention as a solution to information overload, it overlooks broader social issues like the attention economy. He criticizes mindfulness for making these societal problems an individual responsibility and for having a possibly flawed conception of attention itself.
How does mindfulness regard living in the present, and what are the critiques against this view?
Mindfulness emphasizes the idea that humans should live in the present moment, considering it more real or fundamental than the past and future. Stone questions this belief, arguing that our personal narratives, including the past and future, provide meaning and structure to our lives. He challenges the concept of an “absolute present moment,” stating that it is hard to define and that our experiences are inherently connected to our past and future.
What are the wider applications of mindfulness that have been mentioned in the text?
The text mentions that mindfulness, inspired by Buddhist traditions, has been widely applied in schools, healthcare, and workplaces. Various therapies rooted in mindfulness are available, and meditation apps like Headspace and Ten Percent Happier have been downloaded by millions globally.
5 comments
mindfulness is everywhere these days, and it’s about time someone looked at it critically. Makes you wonder how many other things we accept without question!
The point about viewing thoughts as clouds – thats actually what my app told me to do. Interesting to see a philosophers take on it. But hey, it works for me!
Who’s this Stone guy anyway? never heard of him, i mean, is he really an expert on this? the article’s interesting but I’m not convinced on all his ideas.
i practice mindfulness and it’s helped me a lot. Not sure I agree with all the points, but it’s good to see different perspectives. Where can i find the full thesis?
This article really makes u think about mindfulness in a new way. Stone’s critique is deep and insightful, never thought of it that way before.