A Meditation on Meditation: Exploring Perceptions of Mindfulness and Meditation in the Claremont Community

Wellness dialogues in the United States consistently promote mindfulness and meditation in relation to self-care, but what do these terms really mean? This research project explores perceptions of mindfulness and meditation in the Claremont community, investigating how understandings of these terms are socially exchanged and reproduced. It also illuminates how these understandings have transformed from concepts influenced by a perceived eastern-ness to concepts whose cultural roots remain often undiscussed. Through this research, readers will better understand how Claremont community members conceptualize mindfulness and meditation and hopefully better access these practices with their perceived related health benefits