Finding Headspace: Embracing Eastern Meditation Practices in Western Culture

The practice of meditation, which originated between 600-500 BCE, in recent decades, has experienced a wave of global popularity, contributing to wellbeing, and helping many people deal with stress, depression and anxiety problems, so common in the 21st century. However, the orientalist discourse has attached a stigma to spiritual practices, especially those not founded by the West. This interesting article discusses the practice of meditation with roots in oriental Buddhism and the tendency of adapting it to the Western world, bringing to the fore a discussion of how platforms such as Headspace can raise awareness of its oriental Tibetan roots, possibly helping to decolonise it.
AUTHOR: HARRIET VICARY