In today’s fractured world, we are increasingly forced into rigid categories: nationalist or globalist, religious or secular, urban or rural, pro-growth or pro-environment. These divisions, amplified by the echo chambers of social media, have transformed nuanced conversations into polarized battles. Gone are the days when differing perspectives might collide in the shared spaces of local bakeries, libraries, or community centers. Instead, we retreat into digital silos, where algorithms feed us content that reinforces our beliefs, leaving little room for empathy or understanding.
This polarization isn’t just a political issue; it’s a societal crisis. It erodes trust, stifles collaboration, and undermines our ability to tackle shared challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and global inequality. As a mindfulness teacher and Dharma practitioner, I’ve long hoped to help bridge these divides through meditation and coaching programs. Yet I’ve often wrestled with the modern trend of mindfulness as a deeply individual practice centered on self-care. While its benefits for personal well-being are undeniable, I’ve wondered if this focus risks losing something essential: the power of connection, community, and collective healing.
I am not alone in questioning the potential pitfalls of divorcing mindfulness from its Buddhist origins. Critics argue that Western meditators often practice a form of “navel-gazing” or self-indulgence that offers little to the wider world. This critique gave rise to engaged Buddhism, a movement that emphasizes the communal and ethical dimensions of meditation, urging practitioners to work for the benefit of society. While this is a powerful and inspiring approach, it remains rooted in Buddhism, which may not resonate with those who identify with other religions—or none at all—yet still seek to practice mindfulness for the greater good.
Enter social mindfulness, a transformative approach that redefines mindfulness as a collective practice rather than an individual one. By blending meditation with social learning, it cultivates community connection, empathy, and prosocial behavior. Unlike traditional mindfulness, which often centers on personal well-being, social mindfulness emphasizes our inherently social nature, prioritizing collective healing and resilience over isolated self-care. Mark Leonard, a pioneer in this movement, has reimagined mindfulness as a tool for bridging divides and fostering connection in our fractured world.
Leonard, an Organizational Mindfulness specialist, challenges the individualistic framing of modern mindfulness practices. He argues that the self-help model falls short in addressing the systemic roots of stress and suffering, such as inequality and environmental degradation—issues that demand collective action. Drawing on anthropology and evolutionary psychology, he highlights a fundamental truth: humans are inherently social beings. Our brains are wired for connection, and we thrive in communities where cooperation and mutual support are essential for survival. Yet mainstream mindfulness often overlooks this truth, focusing instead on individual stress reduction.
Historically, Leonard notes, Buddhist meditation was reserved for advanced practitioners, not the average layperson. While the modern secular mindfulness movement has democratized these practices, it has narrowed their focus to individual well-being, often at the expense of collective connection. This shift has significant limitations. Research suggests that the effects of mindfulness depend on cultural self-construal—how individuals perceive themselves in relation to others. In many Asian cultures, which tend to value interdependence, mindfulness practices may strengthen communal bonds. In Western cultures, however, where independence is highly prized, they risk amplifying individuality, potentially deepening divides rather than bridging them.
Social baseline theory further underscores the flaws of studying individuals in isolation. Humans are fundamentally social beings, and our brains rely on social connections to regulate stress and emotions. Practicing mindfulness alone misses the profound benefits of collective presence and support, which are essential for our psychological and emotional well-being. Research on heart coherence in group rituals supports this argument, showing that collective practices can align heart rates and breathing patterns, fostering a profound sense of connection.
In practice, Leonard’s model combines group meditation with exercises designed to foster empathy and understanding. For example, after a brief meditation to ground participants, the group might observe a piece of art together and share their perceptions. As different perspectives emerge, structured dialogues help reduce “us versus them” mentalities, creating spaces where people feel heard and valued. This approach not only cultivates individual awareness but also strengthens the social fabric, demonstrating how mindfulness can be both personal and communal.
Leonard’s Mindfulness-Based Organizational Education (MBOE) program exemplifies the potential of social mindfulness. Recognized by the European Association of Mindfulness for Teachers (EAMBA), the Vereniging Mindfulness Based Trainers Nederland (VMBN), and the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA), MBOE integrates meditation with social learning, psycho-education, and organizational psychology, emphasizing mindfulness as a social and relational function. Tested initially with hospital staff, the program has shown significant success in building teamwork and resolving conflicts.
This approach has immediate applications in countering political polarization and fostering empathy to create spaces for dialogue and shared purpose. It also holds promise for addressing environmental challenges, cultivating a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world, and inspiring collective action on issues like climate change. It is no wonder Leonard’s work has gained recognition on the global stage, most recently at the Mindful Work Summit on 21 March 2025, where he presented how social mindfulness can transform workplaces and communities. Today, he continues to share his innovative approach by teaching a cohort of mindfulness teachers online at the Global Mindfulness Academy.
My conversation with Leonard left me with a renewed sense of hope. His work reminds us that mindfulness, at its best, is about collective healing, not just personal transformation. In a fragmented world, the need for social mindfulness has never been greater. By embracing practices that prioritize togetherness—through group meditation, empathetic dialogue, or community-building—we can begin to heal the divides that separate us and build a more connected, compassionate world.
Nina Müller is a mindfulness teacher who offers online mindfulness coaching sessions. If you would like to find out more, please visit The Mindful Practice to book a complimentary consultation.
See more
Globally Accredited Mindfulness Training Academy
Social mindfulness as a force for change (OpenDemocracy)
Who Is Misrepresenting Mindfulness? (Tricycle)
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