Date of Award
Winter 1-15-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Mindfulness Studies
First Advisor
Melissa Jean
Second Advisor
Andrew Olendzki
Abstract
This thesis offers a collection of authors and studies in support of improved research, training, and practice connecting mindfulness with racial justice through intergroup applications. The paper identifies barriers at work (e.g., colorblindness, spiritual bypass, white fragility, and implicit bias) in contemplative science, Western Buddhist communities, and secular mindfulness centers, which block the sizeable contributions possible in studying the intergroup application of mindfulness practice—specifically Lovingkindness Meditation, among others—when used as an intervention with anti-racist aims. Through secondary qualitative research, I reviewed six key works from Black authors on mindfulness and race, as well as six sample studies on the prosocial benefits of mindfulness, mindfulness for racial healing, and mindfulness for the African American community. My findings are that the six key works from Black authors can be used in tandem and that these authors are due sizable professional acknowledgement. This thesis suggests that, for racial justice, there is an interconnection between intergroup research, studies for racial healing, and studies safely incorporating the needs and participation of Black participants, as well as other stigmatized groups. I ultimately propose that mindfulness studies has a foundation to build upon with forms of measurement and models that are ready for application and improvement if only we move beyond the hyperfocus on the individual benefits of mindfulness for white people.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Laura, Danielle "Danae", "Healing Racial Injustice with Mindfulness Research, Training, & Practice" (2022). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 57.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/57
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