Buddhism in the West

Subaltern Speaks: Decolonizing Spirituality

Join host, Yasamin Jameh and guest, Dr. Jeff Wilson, as they explore the popularity of mindfulness in the West and how this trend contributes to appropriation of Asian Buddhist cultures. This episode unpacks how mindfulness was introduced in the West and how it gradually became detached from Buddhism to make it more appealing and marketable to Westerners of non-Buddhist backgrounds, particularly in North America. Furthermore, this episode problematizes the commodification of mindfulness, and highlights how it not only marginalizes Asian Buddhists from popular perceptions of Buddhism, but also leads to their economic dispossession.

Dr. Jeff Wilson is a Professor of Religious Studies and East Asian Studies at Renison University College, University of Waterloo. He has published numerous books and articles about the interaction of Buddhism and various aspects of North American culture, most notably Mindful America: The Mutual Transformation of Buddhist Meditation and American Culture, which deals heavily with topics discussed in this episode, as well as Dixie Dharma: Inside a Buddhist Temple in the American South. Dr. Wilson plays an active role in the wider academy with frequent media appearances and interviews that provide an informed perspective on issues of religion and culture in contemporary society.