(The Federalist)—In recent years, many public schools have embraced mindfulness and meditation programs, often led by yoga instructors or trained facilitators. These initiatives are commonly labeled as nonreligious tools to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional regulation.
Programs like Mindful Schools, Calm Schools, and Quiet Time, the latter promoted by the New Age David Lynch Foundation, have made their way into classrooms across the United States. But what appears to be a neutral wellness intervention is often deeply rooted in Eastern religious traditions, raising concerns about religious freedom, consent, and the psychological safety of children.
One striking example occurred in Chicago, where a Christian student, Mariyah Green, won a $150,000 legal settlement after she said she was coerced into participating in the Quiet Time meditation program. The program involved chanting Sanskrit prayers during a ceremony known as a Puja, an act of worship in Hinduism that includes offerings to deities. Green alleged she wasn’t informed of the religious significance and believed participation affected her academic standing and athletic eligibility. Both the Chicago Public Schools and the David Lynch Foundation settled the case, though they denied liability.
In addition to the Mariyah Green lawsuit, other legal battles have highlighted the spiritual nature of school-based mindfulness meditation programs. In Encinitas, California, a group of parents filed a lawsuit in 2013 against the school district for promoting yoga as part of the school day.
The parents argued that the program, funded by a $500,000 grant from the K. P. Jois Foundation, a group that teaches Ashtanga Yoga, rooted in Hindu traditions, was inherently religious. Although the court ultimately ruled in favor of the school, the case revealed just how deeply spiritual ideologies can become embedded in the name of wellness. Children were reportedly taught poses named after Hindu deities and encouraged to chant “Om,” a sacred syllable in Eastern religions. What the school called physical education, the plaintiffs recognized as indoctrination.
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