In the US, capitalists seem to be looting Buddhism, making off with its meditation mindfulness techniques and ignoring spiritual teachings such loving kindness. But how is mindfulness unfolding in South Africa?<\/p>\n
Upmarket lifestyle shops sell statues of Buddha by the thousand while some of Wall Streets most successful traders claim that meditation helps them to focus thus enabling them to make more money. <\/p>\n
The Buddhist concept of mindfulness is also growing in popularity in Western medicine, as more studies show the benefits of meditation and yoga on reducing anxiety and depression. <\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Time magazine devoted a cover story to the mindful revolution, while Bloomberg featured a story headlined To make a killing on Wall Street, start meditating. <\/p>\n
Mindfulness, simply put, encourages people to be aware of what is happening in the present moment without judgment, often through meditation based on breathing. <\/p>\n
Scientific studies now prove what Buddhist monks have long felt: that the effects of meditation can be measured in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex that regulates emotions. <\/p>\n
But it is hard not to be cynical about what looks like capitalist looting of an ancient Eastern spirituality, taking meditation and applying it for material benefit while ignoring the Buddhist values of compassion, tolerance and the pursuit of wisdom. <\/p>\n
Neuroscientist Dr Cliff Saron, from the University of California at Davis, has been studying mindfulness since the 1970s. <\/p>\n
Disturbed by the recent popularity of mindfulness with hedge-fund traders, Saron says sardonically that the way it has gained traction might be a retraction. <\/p>\n
But his painstaking efforts have added to growing scientific proof of the positive effects of meditation. <\/p>\n
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Not simply adapting Buddha for suburbia<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the US, capitalists seem to be looting Buddhism, making off with its meditation mindfulness techniques and ignoring spiritual teachings such loving kindness. But how is mindfulness unfolding in South Africa Continue reading