On Mindful Democracy

“Political and civic life is a field of practice, no different from a meditation hall. In On Mindful Democracy, scholar and teacher Jeremy Engels argues that democracy depends on inner cultivation as much as on public policy. “Democracy does not work without mindfulness,” Engels writes. “It requires us to be present, to see things clearly, and to refuse to continue to blindly repeat the errors of the past.” Full of advice and realistic actions to take, this is “a warm hug for weary hearts.””
— Tricycle Magazine, The Buddhist Review

“On Mindful Democracy is a profoundly wise and timely offering—a call to awaken our hearts to the truth of our interdependence. With clarity and compassion, Jeremy Engels invites us to step out of division and into presence, to remember that democracy is not a battle but a shared practice of care. This book is a balm for weary spirits and a guiding light for those longing to heal our fractured world—from the inside out.”
— Tara Brach, author of Radical Compassion

“Democracy is tested daily by forces of division, fear, and inequality. On Mindful Democracy reminds us that democracy is not merely a system of government but a daily practice of compassion, mindfulness, and interdependence. As a mayor and global advocate for compassion, I have seen how communities are transformed when people choose care over conflict and belonging over enemyship. Jeremy David Engels offers a hopeful and practical path toward a democracy that heals and unites—a vision every leader should embrace.”
— Greg Fischer, former president of the US Conference of Mayors and mayor of Louisville, Kentucky 2011–2023

“ Jeremy Engels invites us to reimagine our political system in his timely and refreshing take On Mindful Democracy, reminding us what a democracy can be when we recognize our interdependence and celebrate our differences.”
— Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness

“ On Mindful Democracy is a book of practical wisdom. This timely book bridges the gap between pragmatism and idealism. We need to read this book and then to embrace and practice the principle of interdependence as Jeremy Engels describes it in politics as well as in our daily lives.” — Satish Kumar, editor emeritus of Resurgence magazine and author of Radical Love

“ On Mindful Democracy reframes democracy not as a battle to be fought but as a practice of care, and not as a pathway to independence but a reminder of our interdependence. Jeremy David Engels offers a powerful vision of how mindfulness can help heal our fractured world.”
— Kazu Haga, author of Fierce Vulnerability

Jeremy David Engels, Ph.D., is the Liberal Arts professor of Communication and Ethics at Penn State University. He is also a longtime teacher of mindfulness, meditation, and yoga and since undertaking a pilgrimage to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha in India and Nepal in 2018, a student of Thich Nhat Hanh. He is an award-winning teacher and scholar, and has published numerous books and articles about democracy, community building, deliberation, and peace. He lives in State College, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife Anna run a community yoga and meditation studio called Yoga Lab. Jeremy joyfully joins the Plum Village Beloved Community in practicing mindfulness as “the practice of peace.”

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