A Political Economy of Attention, Mindfulness and Consumerism

Drawing together lively debates from the new economics of transition, resilience and well-being, sustainable consumption, and the emerging role of mindfulness in popular culture, this book speaks to audiences from both the sustainability disciplines and students of Buddhism and mindfulness. It shows that, in this consumer age, the underlying teachings of Buddhist mindfulness offer more than individual well-being at home and in the workplace, but also new sources of critical inquiry into our collective condition under the sway of consumer culture. Furthermore, the book provides a political economy context for the dramatic rise in popular interest around mindfulness practices and their associated Buddhist-inspired philosophical and psychological insights.