Mindfulness and sustainability have a lot in common: they are like an umbrella under which a lot seems to fit. Many of the trends and hypes of our time fit easily under this umbrella. With this focus, we therefore want to delve deeper and get to the heart of the topic of mindfulness. And this much can be said in advance: There is much to suggest that sustainability could reach its goal much faster in the slipstream of mindfulness.
The term mindfulness has a magical attraction for some people: They attach to this term the hope of a breather from their overcrowded everyday lives, from the crises of our time, from obligations, etc. For others, however, the esoteric alarm bells start ringing loudly as soon as mindfulness is mentioned. That's why we're starting this issue with a fact check. We want to know what mindfulness has been proven to do. And whether alarm bells are justifiably ringing.
Do you need a guru for this?
It is clear that the roots of mindfulness go far back into ancient religious teachings. Mindfulness pioneers, such as the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Than, have reinterpreted and revitalized these teachings (e.g. in the form of "engaged Buddhism") and brought their practices to the West. Where they have been taken up in different ways.
However, those who want to practise mindfulness do not have to be spiritual or religious. Even though meditation is an important part of mindfulness programs, it is ultimately about the journey into the moment, awareness and real presence. And by no means about finding your own personal guru. Jon-Kabat Zinn, a prominent co-founder of the Western mindfulness movement, never tires of emphasizing this.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
Of course, it is legitimate to ask what the bottom line of mindfulness really is. In this article, we venture a fact check. It is hardly surprising that mindfulness has been proven to promote physical and mental health (even among prison inmates!).
What is remarkable, however, because it is still little noticed, is the fact that mindfulness also demonstrably makes us more social, more compassionate and - surprise, surprise - even more environmentally friendly.
Swedish researcher Christine Wamsler 's studies prove this. In this interview, she tells us why mindfulness practices and programs have highly desirable social and ecological side effects. There is a treasure trove of sustainability lying dormant here that needs to be unearthed as soon as possible.
New trends - inwards
The topic of sustainability is therefore obviously about more than a purely externally visible change in our world (e.g. infrastructural or technological changes). If the 'future alchemists' Julia Buchebner and Stefan Stockinger have their way, no stone will be left unturned on the inside either. They demand: grow on the inside, work on the outside. And they are convinced that by taking the step towards sustainability, we could climb the next rung on the ladder of human development.
Mindfully happy
And let's take a closer look at another connection to the topic of mindfulness? Does mindful behavior make us happy? In this article, none other than the German 'Minister of Happiness' Gina Schöler tells us why she dedicates her life to happiness (without coercion!). She also reveals her tried-and-tested rule of thumb for more mindfulness and happiness in everyday life.
After the bean
When it comes to happiness, we'll add another shovelful. Because mindful eating has also been proven to make us happy. Some foods are particularly popular when it comes to releasing dopamine: cocoa, for example. Pastry chef Lara Jäger traveled to the origins of cocoa in Guatemala and wanted to learn how it is grown and processed. Not only that - she also wanted to immerse herself in the traditional cocoa ceremonies of the Maja culture. She now holds such ceremonies in Austria and Germany. She talks about her journey in this article.
The team is itself
Writing about mindfulness is one thing. Really immersing yourself in it is another. That's why we wanted to experiment ourselves. To draw our own conclusions. But wait a minute. Why 'we'? Because a mindfulness self-experiment is more fun as a team. That's why eight mindful people from the Lampert team decided to try out various mindfulness practices for two weeks. You can read about the unexpected expanses of the moment that this experiment catapulted us into - or rather gently rocked us into - here.
One mindfulness practice has particularly resonated with many of the 'guinea pigs': Shinrin Yoku, forest bathing in the Japanese tradition. In this article on the subject, you can read about the magic of forest bathing and why it is an absolutely beginner-friendly entry point into the mindfulness arena. You will also find out why it is so healthy.
We hope you enjoy the mindful reading and say goodbye - inspired by forest bathing - with a mindfulness haiku (Japanese short poem):
Magic light on the forest floor.
The song thrush gives its all.
Long live the moment.
