Jeremy David Engels
@jeremydavidengels.bsky.social
Professor of Democracy, Ethics, and Rhetoric + Mindfulness teacher and scholar + co-owner of Yoga Lab. Author of 6 books including On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World (Parallax 2026) and Living Namaste (2026).
Pinned
Several people have asked why a scholar of democracy like myself became a mindfulness and meditation teacher. It’s because:
Mindfulness is how we recover our agency as human beings.
And:
I don’t know how democracy - or any community building- works without mindfulness.
#democracy #mindfulness
Mindfulness is how we recover our agency as human beings.
And:
I don’t know how democracy - or any community building- works without mindfulness.
#democracy #mindfulness
Reposted by Jeremy David Engels
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
November 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Reposted by Jeremy David Engels
We deserve a better democracy than this! If you agree, pre-order my new book On Mindful Democracy from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Parallax Press. Here, I forward a radical vision of democracy grounded in everyday acts of #mindfulness, #community, and mutual care.
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
On Mindful Democracy – Parallax Press
An antidote to political burnout and civic despair: drawing on mindfulness and modern wisdom to cultivate resilience, healthy engagement, and skillful presence in turbulent times
www.parallax.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We deserve a better democracy than this! If you agree, pre-order my new book On Mindful Democracy from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Parallax Press. Here, I forward a radical vision of democracy grounded in everyday acts of #mindfulness, #community, and mutual care.
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
November 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
We deserve a better democracy than this! If you agree, pre-order my new book On Mindful Democracy from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Parallax Press. Here, I forward a radical vision of democracy grounded in everyday acts of #mindfulness, #community, and mutual care.
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
On Mindful Democracy – Parallax Press
An antidote to political burnout and civic despair: drawing on mindfulness and modern wisdom to cultivate resilience, healthy engagement, and skillful presence in turbulent times
www.parallax.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We deserve a better democracy than this! If you agree, pre-order my new book On Mindful Democracy from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Parallax Press. Here, I forward a radical vision of democracy grounded in everyday acts of #mindfulness, #community, and mutual care.
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
20% off discount code: MINDFUL20
Reposted by Jeremy David Engels
It’s time for a day of mindfulness.
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
October 26, 2025 at 1:02 PM
It’s time for a day of mindfulness.
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
It’s time for a day of mindfulness.
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
October 26, 2025 at 1:02 PM
It’s time for a day of mindfulness.
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:
Breathe mindfully
Pay attention
Resist enemyship
Say a kind word
Drink my tea
Play a game
Cook a healthy meal
Go for a mindful walk
Smile
Not be “productive”
Reposted by Jeremy David Engels
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
October 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
October 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Today is a good day to…
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Reposted by Jeremy David Engels
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
October 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
Happy #caturday friends! Hope that tonight you find a bit of the peace that little Bodhicitta is feeling right now in front of the fire. In case you need it, sending a hug to you! #cats #mindfulness
October 12, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Happy #caturday friends! Hope that tonight you find a bit of the peace that little Bodhicitta is feeling right now in front of the fire. In case you need it, sending a hug to you! #cats #mindfulness
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
October 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
Happy #caturday friends! This is little Vrtti cat. He says the first rule of being a cat is do not obey in advance. He says this is also a good rule for people when dealing with authoritarians. Unless those authoritarians are cats. He insists you should obey #cats. Wanna be tyrants? Not so much.
September 20, 2025 at 9:53 PM
When a week feels like years,
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
September 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
When a week feels like years,
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Today is the 80th anniversary of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It’s a great day for contemplation and to remember, in the words of the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, that “there is no way to peace, peace is the way.”
August 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Today is the 80th anniversary of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It’s a great day for contemplation and to remember, in the words of the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, that “there is no way to peace, peace is the way.”
When a week feels like years,
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
August 1, 2025 at 11:24 PM
When a week feels like years,
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
Dear friends, I know that many people are having a tough week. Here's a mindfulness survival kit I put together for feeling a little more centered, connected, and grounded when the world is on fire. Always happy to connect! Thank you for all that you are doing.
#mindfulness #democracy #resist
#mindfulness #democracy #resist
A Mindfulness Survival Kit
For Caring People, Concerned Citizens, and Democratic Resisters
open.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Dear friends, I know that many people are having a tough week. Here's a mindfulness survival kit I put together for feeling a little more centered, connected, and grounded when the world is on fire. Always happy to connect! Thank you for all that you are doing.
#mindfulness #democracy #resist
#mindfulness #democracy #resist
I'm publishing a book in Feb 2026, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World with Parallax Press (started by the beloved Thich Nhat Hanh). I have a new Substack exploring interdependence—would love you to join me!
adeclarationofinterdependence.substack.com
adeclarationofinterdependence.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I'm publishing a book in Feb 2026, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World with Parallax Press (started by the beloved Thich Nhat Hanh). I have a new Substack exploring interdependence—would love you to join me!
adeclarationofinterdependence.substack.com
adeclarationofinterdependence.substack.com
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
July 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
How are you doing dear friends?
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.
July 11, 2025 at 10:37 PM
How are you doing dear friends?
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.
Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.
As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.
Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.
Hi friends, Here’s a poem I wrote on mindful democracy and interdependence for this holiday. Hope that you are safe and well and surrounded by love today.
#democracy
#poetry
#mindfulness
#independence
#democracy
#poetry
#mindfulness
#independence
a poem on mindful democracy
by @jeremydavidengels.bsky.social:
www.parallax.org/mindfulnessb...
#EngagedBuddhism #poetry #BelovedCommunity #interbeing
by @jeremydavidengels.bsky.social:
www.parallax.org/mindfulnessb...
#EngagedBuddhism #poetry #BelovedCommunity #interbeing
July 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Hi friends, Here’s a poem I wrote on mindful democracy and interdependence for this holiday. Hope that you are safe and well and surrounded by love today.
#democracy
#poetry
#mindfulness
#independence
#democracy
#poetry
#mindfulness
#independence
It used to be a civic tradition to give Fourth of July orations. If you were asked to give such a speech tomorrow—and it had to be an affirmative speech that outlined what you stand for and an inspirational speech that rallied people together and onward for the good—what would you say?
July 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
It used to be a civic tradition to give Fourth of July orations. If you were asked to give such a speech tomorrow—and it had to be an affirmative speech that outlined what you stand for and an inspirational speech that rallied people together and onward for the good—what would you say?