A fatal retreat into the apolitical? An author against the mindfulness boom

Der Standard presents a critical perspective on the pervasive mindfulness trend through the lens of author Kathrin Fischer's new book, "Achtsam geht die Welt zugrunde" (Mindfully, the World Goes to Ruin). Fischer, a German journalist and podcaster, issues a stark warning: the contemporary obsession with individual self-optimization risks becoming a dangerous ideology that props up the status quo.

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Those who no longer ask for the causes of crises, but seek all solutions within themselves, are falling for a treacherous ideology, according to author Kathrin Fischer.

According to Fischer, the popular embrace of mindfulness, while seemingly benign, encourages a "fatal retreat into the apolitical." Instead of questioning the root causes of societal and economic crises, individuals are increasingly urged to find solutions within their own minds. This focus on the self, Fischer argues, distracts from the collective action needed to address systemic problems and inadvertently serves to stabilize problematic power structures.

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She warns in her book "Achtsam geht die Welt zugrunde" against the trend of only tinkering with the self, instead of wanting to change the world.

This perspective challenges the widespread notion that personal well-being, achieved through practices like mindfulness, is the primary solution to contemporary challenges. Fischer contends that this individualistic approach prevents a necessary critical examination of the political and economic systems that create many of our problems. Her work urges a return to questioning the 'why' behind crises, rather than solely focusing on the 'how' of personal coping mechanisms.

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Kathrin Fischer has fundamentally nothing against mindfulness exercises. The way they are viewed and used in our society today, however, they have become part of an ideology that stabilizes the conditions, says the German journalist and podcaster.

From our standpoint at Der Standard, Fischer's critique resonates deeply. It highlights a crucial tension in modern society: the push towards individual responsibility versus the need for collective political engagement. Her book serves as a vital reminder that while personal resilience is important, it should not come at the expense of demanding systemic change.

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Political and economic deteriorations are no longer questioned; rather, today's interpretation of mindfulness wants to convince us that all problems are individually solvable.