< Issue No. 20 (2025/2026)
Sub-Reflections
Meeting students where they are: How I teach Buddhist philosophy to post-pandemic Gen Z sophomores
Lännström, Anna, Stonehill College
Abstract
This article outlines the ways my post-pandemic students struggle more than previous cohorts and describes how I have adapted my introductory Buddhism class to meet them where they are. Rather than teaching difficult classical texts, I integrate accessible readings with mindfulness meditation practices and personal reflection. I encourage students to consider Buddhism as an alternative to their unexamined materialism and individualism, we experiment with mindfulness practices to see if they help students struggle less, and we explore the issues of cultural appropriation and McMindfulness which arise as a result.