Buddhist Mindfulness in America
The popularity of Buddhism has been increasing in the US in both numbers (3-4 million people) and influence. Most Americans have heard of Tibetan Buddhist leader, Dali Lama, and most think of him and his influence in a positive light. Karma is a commonly used term, yoga is widely accepted, Buddha images are viewed as peace-giving, and Buddhist mindfulness meditation is welcomed as a life-improvement practice. All these things are Buddhist – or come out of Buddhism – which is a philosophy foundationally contradictory to the gospel (Buddhism 101).
Mindfulness meditation is one of the many Buddhist ideas gaining popularity in the US. Mindfulness meditation aims to gain greater mental control and focus that is intended to improve attitudes, health, relationships, skills, and overall quality of life. The two most popular apps for meditation are “Headspace” and “Calm,” and between them they claim over 76 million downloads, (1) nearly 25% of the US population!
Change The Map believes that biblical meditation is a good thing. Psalm 1:2-3 and other Psalms admonish meditation on the word of God and His character and ways. Biblical meditation results in knowing God and His ways and becoming more like Him.
On the other hand, intense, extended Buddhist mindfulness retreats have proven to be dangerous for many participants. In a December 2018 Esquire article, (2) Michael Holden shared his horrifying experience at a ten-day mindfulness retreat that ended in a psychiatric hospital. He found himself losing control of his mind, dropping into a world of terror and confusion. He later learned that he experienced a “normal” meditative phase called “Dark Night” which commonly ends in a psychotic episode, according to several studies that were referenced in the article. The studies also revealed that there is a risk of “Dark Night” psychosis when using mindfulness apps.
Did You Know … In 775 AD, a Buddhist monk named Padmasambhava predicted, “When the iron bird flies, and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the world, and the [Buddha’s teachings] will come to the land of the red man” (Maguire, 2539). Many see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the influx of Tibetan Buddhism into North America.