Reclaim democracy from the rhetoric of war with the radical power of mindfulness-a call to disarm our inner battlefields and take up the noble path of civic engagement rooted in clarity, compassion, and courageous presence
On Mindful Democracy is a timely, tender, and transformative guide for citizens who care deeply about the world but feel disillusioned by the state of public discourse. Written by Professor Jeremy David Engels-scholar, mindfulness teacher, and longtime student of Thich Nhat Hanh-this book offers an antidote to political burnout and civic despair. Drawing on Zen philosophy and practical experience, Engels proposes that mindfulness is not only a path to personal peace, but a vital practice for renewing democracy itself.
Structured in the spirit of On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, this compact, accessible book delivers twenty profound teachings-each a short chapter-on how to show up for democracy with compassion, clarity, and courage. It invites readers to step away from enemyship, to root their activism in shared humanity, and to declare their interdependence.
Readers will discover:
• How mindfulness can heal the civic wounds of polarization and fear
• Practices for engaging with news and social media without being consumed
• A reimagining of democracy as collective empowerment, not endless conflict
• Zen stories and teachings to inspire transformation
• Practical tips for showing up skillfully in moments of disagreement and tension
Whether you're a seasoned activist or a tender-hearted citizen seeking a new path forward, On Mindful Democracy offers a lantern in the dark-and a quiet call to remember who we are, and what we're here to do, together. Jeremy David Engels is the author of five books as well as numerous academic and popular articles. His essays about mindfulness, yoga, and politics on The Conversation have been read over 450,000 times. He is the Liberal Arts Endowed Professor of Communication and Ethics at Penn State University (www.jeremydavidengels.com), where his students playfully call him the "bed-headed professor" and "yoga prof," describing his classes as "Walt Whitman meets Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and The Good Place." Engels is certified to teach mindfulness after completing an intensive two-year training program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Since undertaking a pilgrimage to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha in India and Nepal in 2018, he is a student of Thich Nhat Hanh who joyfully joins the Plum Village Beloved Community in practicing mindfulness as "the practice of peace." He lives in State College, Pennsylvania.
