Mindfulness equity and Western Buddhism: reaching people of low socioeconomic status and people of color
International Journal of Dharma Studies December 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1186/s40613-014-0010-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot series with quantitative and qualitative surveys Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Participants largely people of color earning less than $15,000 per year, attending classes at a community center serving low-income residents |
| Duration | Five weekly classes |
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key findings | Surveys administered after the final class revealed highly positive feedback, suggesting the MAP model could benefit marginalized communities and support Buddhist centers' and teachers' desire to diversify who benefits from their teachings in the West. The authors propose the model as a way to offer secular mindfulness series in partnership with organizations serving marginalized populations, framed around "mindfulness equity." |
Abstract
This study presents the findings of the first pilot series of the Mindfulness Allies Project (MAP), and focuses on the intersection of mindfulness, Western Buddhism, socioeconomic status (SES), and race. While much has been published about the efficacy of mindfulness meditation with various clinical and non-clinical populations, understudied populations still include people of low SES and people of color. Additionally, while care is often, and appropriately, taken to differentiate mindfulness from Buddhism, the fact remains that Buddhism directly influenced the creation of leading clinical uses of mindfulness, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. MAP proposes a model for Western Buddhist centers and teachers, as well as professional mindfulness providers, to offer annual secular mindfulness series in partnership with local organizations serving marginalized populations—those not benefitting from privileged identity factors—particularly in relation to race and class. MAP is founded on a vision of mindfulness equity—or equal access to mindfulness teachings. This MAP pilot series consisted of five weekly mindfulness classes. Classes were provided free of charge at a community center serving low-income residents, with childcare during and dinners after classes also provided free of charge. Participants largely consisted of people of color earning less than $15,000 per year. Quantitative and qualitative surveys administered at the conclusion of the final class revealed highly positive feedback, and suggest that the MAP model could benefit both marginalized communities as well as Buddhist centers’ and teachers’ desire to diversify those benefitting from their teachings in the West.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... | 2017 | Qualitative study with mixed-methods | |
| A phenomenology of meditation-induced light experiences: traditional buddhist and neurobiological perspectives American Buddhist practitioners | 2014 | Qualitative study | |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Anger regulation in traumatized Cambodian refugees: the perspectives of Buddhist monks. Buddhist Cambodian monks in Massachusetts | 2011 | Qualitative study | n = 6 |
| The Lived Experiences of Experienced Vipassana Mahasi Meditators: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Experienced Vipassana Mahasi meditators | 2018 | Qualitative study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Sitting and Active Meditation Practice: Utilization and Associations with Outcomes in Naturalistic and Clinical Trial Data. Mindfulness March 9, 2026
- Examining the Cultural Consensus on Beliefs About Mindfulness Among US College-Attending Young Adults. Mindfulness August 23, 2022
- Considerations for Research and Development of Culturally Relevant Mindfulness Interventions in American Minority Communities. Mindfulness August 16, 2017
Cites 4
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness and Psychotherapy FOCUS: The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry 2010
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Low-Income, Predominantly African American Women With PTSD and a History of Intimate Partner Violence Cognitive and Behavioral Practice September 5, 2011
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health-related quality of life: findings from a bilingual inner-city patient population. Psychosomatic Medicine 2004