Mindfulness seems to be everywhere in our culture, and maybe that’s part of the confusion. While mindfulness maintains deep roots in the Buddhist tradition, like many things it has been watered down by the mainstream and has migrated far from its origin in both practice and theory.
In a world of endless scrolls, pings, and pulls on our attention, it can feel nearly impossible to rest in the present moment. In record speed, our devices have become weapons of mass distraction, and the attention economy is over: Welcome to the addiction economy. We all know that everyone is addicted, yet few will admit it and we all seem to accept it.
Turning inward, taking an honest look at our pain and dissatisfaction, and coming to terms with what fuels are addiction is our only hope. This will be our focus in a Day of Practice led by insight meditation teacher and addiction treatment specialist, Dave Smith. Together, we’ll look at methods and ideas rooted in the early Buddhist tradition that may empower and inspire us – both collectively and as individuals – to embrace a new middle way for the modern age.
Rather than trying to “fix” ourselves, this day invites us to understand mindfulness not as an end in itself, but as a means to soften our struggle, cultivate courage, and develop unshakable inner resources to navigate the mess that we are in.
