Beyond White Mindfulness

Beyond White Mindfulness: Critical Perspectives on Racism, Well-being, and Liberation brings together interdisciplinary perspectives on mind-body interventions, group-based identities, and social justice. Marshalling both empirical data and theoretical approaches, the book examines a broad range of questions related to mindfulness, meditation, and diverse communities.While there is growing public interest in mind-body health, holistic wellness, and contemplative practice, critical research examining on these topics featuring minority perspectives and experiences is relatively rare. This book draws on cutting edge insights from psychology, sociology, gender, and, critical race theory to fill this void. Major themes include culture, identity, and awareness; intersectional approaches to the study of mindfulness and minority stress; cultural competence in developing and teaching mindfulness-based health interventions, and the complex relationships between mindfulness, inequality, and social justice.The first book of its kind to bring together scholarly and personal reflections on mindfulness for diverse populations, Beyond White Mindfulness offers social science students and practitioners in this area a new perspective on mindfulness and suggestions for future scholarship.

Beyond White Mindfulness illuminates critical engagement with mindfulness in the context of race, culture, and social justice. Each chapter elevates the necessary work of extending contemporary mindfulness in the US beyond its predominantly white spaces. The diverse group of authors explore mindfulness and its relationship to coloniality, intersectionality, community healing from racial stress and trauma, and indigenous traditions and worldviews. These are much needed perspectives, and this book is must-read for both scholars and practitioners of mindfulness.Shelly P. Harrell, PhD. Professor of Psychology, Pepperdine University and Certified Mindfulness TeacherWhere do mindfulness, meditation, and related concepts already exist in each culture? Can we honor and weave unique cultural practices, values, and communication patterns together using the thread of mindfulness? This book does that. I gratefully and respectively applaud the authors for doing so. These teachings show the beautiful diversity of humanity, while providing opportunities to learn and grow from each other’s practices and wisdom. This book is a timely and needed gift.Eric B. Loucks, PhD, Director, Mindfulness Center at Brown University, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and MedicineI highly recommend Beyond White Mindfulness to all instructors in mindfulness. This rich volume deconstructs how racism and white supremacy has played out in the mindfulness movement but offers, chapter after chapter, how mindfulness can be re-imaged and implemented in programs so that people of color can be included and benefited from mindfulness practices. This book is a must for all scholars and teachers of mindfulness.Timothy W. Pedigo, PhD, Assistant Professor and Mindfulness Instructor, Governors State UniversityA comprehensive must-read, Beyond White Mindfulness examines the ways we can teach, conduct research, and support well-being with inclusive, anti-racist mindfulness practices. The text includes Indigenous, Native American, African, Latinx and Asian heritage perspectives articulated by authors whose deep practice and commitment to justice and wellness are evident in the passion and rigor of their work. This book is a meaningful contribution to the decolonization of mindfulness practices. Kamilah Majied, PhD, Contemplative Anti-Racism and Inclusivity Specialist and Founder of Majied Contemplative Consulting

Crystal Marie Fleming is Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies and Associate Faculty in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Stony Brook University.Veronica Y. Womack is a mindfulness scholar and equity consultant as well as a social psychologist and researcher at Northwestern University whose work centers on inclusive teaching, identity-related stressors, and mindfulness.Jeffrey Proulx is the Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. He is also a faculty member in the school of Public Health, Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Contemplative Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Studies at Brown.