From Meditation to Techno-Mindfulness: On the Medicalization of Contemplative Practices and Future Prospects
Histories March 27, 2024 Federico Divino
Mindfulness has been transformed through transculturation and commodification into a biopolitical tool that fosters self-regulation and social control, diverging from traditional meditation. While both aim for health benefits, mindfulness is egolatric and performance-oriented, whereas traditional meditation seeks to transcend psychophysical identity. The article examines how neoliberal and capitalist societies have shaped this model and analyzes future scenarios where technological devices and AI applications could intensify biopolitical control, leading to constant self-surveillance and monitoring. This integration raises critical questions about surveillance limits and the potential exploitation of vulnerabilities through AI-powered tools.