Contemplative Democracy
Oxford University Press eBooks February 17, 2025 Shannon L. Mariotti 1 citation
Contemplative practices like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga are becoming common in the United States. This book argues that these practices, often seen as personal retreat, actually hold democratic political value. By connecting political theory with qualitative interviews and observation, the author shows how such practices create new ways of imagining politics, forming selves, and building community. At a time when democracy seems to decline and contemplative practices rise, the book suggests that the attentional ecologies cultivated by the Mindfulness Revolution may address democratic deficits. It highlights resonances between theorists of democracy and ordinary practitioners, focusing on education and inclusive pedagogy.