Mindful Heresy as Conscious Social Praxis: Modeling Change Through Violations of Cultural Orthodoxy

Abstract

This essay positions and explains the inspiration for and development of the concept of Mindful Heresy as an enacted embodiment of expression in conscious violation of hegemonic cultural orthodoxy. This embodied social praxis functions as lived modeling of possibilities for cultural expression, rather than simple expressed opposition to cultural patterns influenced by colonial hegemony and habituated norms. Culture evolves historically to favor conformity. To accomplish social change, a praxis that violates conformity is vital and necessary. Mindful heresy is the choice to do so consciously and intentionally.

Keywords:

• Hegemony
• Heresy
• Mindful
• Orthodoxy
• Resistance

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to acknowledge the doctoral students in her two graduate seminars on mindful heresy, whose questions and curiosity greatly assisted in the clarification of ideas expressed in this article.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.