I'm wondering if this is quite so pertinent in Australia where the separation of church and state is very much 'live' but not discussed as frequently. Having said that I am reminded of the issues with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand's Mindful Aotearoa Program: http://mindfulaotearoa.nz/programmes/pause-breathe-smile/ a year or so back.
This is from the Tricyle article:
"Is mindfulness an educational tool, teaching skills that make kids more attentive and emotionally balanced? Or is it a religious practice—Buddhism in secular clothing—violating the Constitution’s separation of church and state? Is it a universally beneficial practice, or are its proponents introducing a cultural bias when they bring the practice to underserved schools?
To read the article: http://www.tricycle.com/feature/does-mindfulness-belong-public-schools
