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    On Mindful Democracy

    A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World

    Author Jeremy David Engels
    Look inside
    Paperback
    $16.95 US
    Parallax Press
    5.31"W x 8.06"H x 0.53"D   | 7 oz | 56 per carton
    On sale Feb 03, 2026 | 192 Pages | 9781967175000
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    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

    A compact, beautifully designed guide offering 27 powerful teachings of interdependence to navigate news, social media, and civic engagement with clarity and courage

    250 years after the US Declaration of Independence, this incisive Declaration of Interdependence is a timely, tender, and transformative guide for citizens who care deeply about the world but feel disillusioned by the state of public discourse. Professor Jeremy David Engels—scholar, mindfulness teacher, and longtime student of Thich Nhat Hanh—proposes that clarity and interconnection are not only paths to personal peace, but vital practices for renewing democracy itself.

    Structured in the spirit of On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, this compact, accessible book delivers 27 profound insights—each a short chapter—on how to show up for democracy with compassion, clarity, and courage. It invites readers to step away from enemyship, to root their activism in shared humanity, and to declare their interdependence.

    Readers will discover:
    • How mindfulness can heal the civic wounds of polarization and fear
    • Practices for engaging with news and social media without being consumed
    • A reimagining of democracy as collective empowerment, not endless conflict
    • Zen stories and teachings to inspire transformation
    • Practical tips for showing up skillfully in moments of disagreement and tension

    Whether you’re a seasoned activist or a tender-hearted citizen seeking a new path forward, this luminous testament to resilience offers a lantern in the dark—and a quiet call to remember who we are, and what we’re here to do, together.
    “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 (www.jeremydavidengels.com). 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 Thích Nhất Hạnh. 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.”
    Jeremy David Engels View titles by Jeremy David Engels
    Preface

    “A Declaration of Interdependence”
    We hold these truths self-evident,
    that all people are created equal and interdependent,
    that everyone
    — all races, genders, classes, sexual identities, religions, and nationalities —
    belongs,
    and can be truly happy,
    and has something to contribute to the ensemble,
    and deserves the opportunity to answer life’s ultimate questions in their own words,
    that in this endeavor life, liberty, and happiness are sacred,
    and no one waste away from want,
    when there is abundance.

    When in the course of human events,
    it becomes necessary to take a stand,
    we stand on common ground,
    practicing mindful democracy,
    aware that the present moment is the only moment —
    friendship not enemyship is our foundation;
    affirmation not destruction is our politics;
    love not hate is our motivation;
    we act not for light and transient causes,
    but for the eternal aim:
    That we might be truly happy,
    in this life,
    together.
    Copyright © 2026 by Jeremy Engels. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

    Preface    : “A Declaration of Interdependence”

    Introduction    : There is No Way to Democracy, Democracy is the Way

    Part 1, Strong Foundations
    Lesson 1: Stand on Common Ground
    Lesson 2: No Mud, No Lotus
    Lesson 3: Life is a Miracle We Share
    Lesson 4: The Present Moment is a Wonderful Moment
    Lesson 5: Know the Difference Between Right and Wrong Mindfulness
    Lesson 6: It May Be a Bumpy Ride, But There is a Path
    Lesson 7: Emptiness is Also Fullness, So There’s No Reason to be a Nihilist
    Lesson 8: You Matter, and the Proof is in the Practice
    Lesson 9: Practice the Art of Gratitude
    Lesson 10: Be Loving, and Kind

    Part 2, Beloved Communities
    Lesson 11: Refute the World’s Biggest Lie
    Lesson 12: We are One, and We are Many
    Lesson 13: Ensemble
    Lesson 14: Make a Special Effort to Include
    Lesson 15: Know Your Enemyship
    Lesson 16: No Person is “Evil,” only Mistaken
    Lesson 17: Remain Down to Earth, Close to Common Ground

    Part 3, Right Action
    Lesson 18: Mindful Citizens Do Not Acquiesce
    Lesson 19: Politics is a Moral Argument
    Lesson 20: The Five Agreements of Mindful Deliberation
    Lesson 21: Words Can Hurt. Words Can Heal.
    Lesson 22: Protect the Most Vulnerable (Hate Speech is Not Free Speech)
    Lesson 23: Aim for the Roots
    Lesson 24: Ask Yourself and Others, “Are You Sure?”
    Lesson 25: Right Action
    Lesson 26: If You Feel Burned Out, Remember Your Practice
    Lesson 27: With Every Word, Declare Interdependence

    About

    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

    A compact, beautifully designed guide offering 27 powerful teachings of interdependence to navigate news, social media, and civic engagement with clarity and courage

    250 years after the US Declaration of Independence, this incisive Declaration of Interdependence is a timely, tender, and transformative guide for citizens who care deeply about the world but feel disillusioned by the state of public discourse. Professor Jeremy David Engels—scholar, mindfulness teacher, and longtime student of Thich Nhat Hanh—proposes that clarity and interconnection are not only paths to personal peace, but vital practices for renewing democracy itself.

    Structured in the spirit of On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, this compact, accessible book delivers 27 profound insights—each a short chapter—on how to show up for democracy with compassion, clarity, and courage. It invites readers to step away from enemyship, to root their activism in shared humanity, and to declare their interdependence.

    Readers will discover:
    • How mindfulness can heal the civic wounds of polarization and fear
    • Practices for engaging with news and social media without being consumed
    • A reimagining of democracy as collective empowerment, not endless conflict
    • Zen stories and teachings to inspire transformation
    • Practical tips for showing up skillfully in moments of disagreement and tension

    Whether you’re a seasoned activist or a tender-hearted citizen seeking a new path forward, this luminous testament to resilience offers a lantern in the dark—and a quiet call to remember who we are, and what we’re here to do, together.

    Praise

    “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

    Author

    Jeremy David Engels, Ph.D., is the Liberal Arts professor of Communication and Ethics at Penn State University (www.jeremydavidengels.com). 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 Thích Nhất Hạnh. 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.”
    Jeremy David Engels View titles by Jeremy David Engels

    Excerpt

    Preface

    “A Declaration of Interdependence”
    We hold these truths self-evident,
    that all people are created equal and interdependent,
    that everyone
    — all races, genders, classes, sexual identities, religions, and nationalities —
    belongs,
    and can be truly happy,
    and has something to contribute to the ensemble,
    and deserves the opportunity to answer life’s ultimate questions in their own words,
    that in this endeavor life, liberty, and happiness are sacred,
    and no one waste away from want,
    when there is abundance.

    When in the course of human events,
    it becomes necessary to take a stand,
    we stand on common ground,
    practicing mindful democracy,
    aware that the present moment is the only moment —
    friendship not enemyship is our foundation;
    affirmation not destruction is our politics;
    love not hate is our motivation;
    we act not for light and transient causes,
    but for the eternal aim:
    That we might be truly happy,
    in this life,
    together.
    Copyright © 2026 by Jeremy Engels. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

    Table of Contents


    Preface    : “A Declaration of Interdependence”

    Introduction    : There is No Way to Democracy, Democracy is the Way

    Part 1, Strong Foundations
    Lesson 1: Stand on Common Ground
    Lesson 2: No Mud, No Lotus
    Lesson 3: Life is a Miracle We Share
    Lesson 4: The Present Moment is a Wonderful Moment
    Lesson 5: Know the Difference Between Right and Wrong Mindfulness
    Lesson 6: It May Be a Bumpy Ride, But There is a Path
    Lesson 7: Emptiness is Also Fullness, So There’s No Reason to be a Nihilist
    Lesson 8: You Matter, and the Proof is in the Practice
    Lesson 9: Practice the Art of Gratitude
    Lesson 10: Be Loving, and Kind

    Part 2, Beloved Communities
    Lesson 11: Refute the World’s Biggest Lie
    Lesson 12: We are One, and We are Many
    Lesson 13: Ensemble
    Lesson 14: Make a Special Effort to Include
    Lesson 15: Know Your Enemyship
    Lesson 16: No Person is “Evil,” only Mistaken
    Lesson 17: Remain Down to Earth, Close to Common Ground

    Part 3, Right Action
    Lesson 18: Mindful Citizens Do Not Acquiesce
    Lesson 19: Politics is a Moral Argument
    Lesson 20: The Five Agreements of Mindful Deliberation
    Lesson 21: Words Can Hurt. Words Can Heal.
    Lesson 22: Protect the Most Vulnerable (Hate Speech is Not Free Speech)
    Lesson 23: Aim for the Roots
    Lesson 24: Ask Yourself and Others, “Are You Sure?”
    Lesson 25: Right Action
    Lesson 26: If You Feel Burned Out, Remember Your Practice
    Lesson 27: With Every Word, Declare Interdependence

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    © 2026 Penguin Random House

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