More and more people are realizing the impressive power of mindfulness each day.
By tuning into the present moment and cultivating mindful attitudes throughout our lives, we can experience life in a much more positive way.
If you’re still not entirely sure what exactly mindfulness is, one of the easiest ways to communicate the main values of this practice is through the use of short phrases and expressions.
That’s why in this article, we’ve compiled some of the best bits of wisdom relating to the power of mindfulness.
We’ve divided them into some clear categories to help make it easier for you to pick out what you need to know.
But we’re also going to briefly summarise what mindfulness is. Here are the main topics we’ll be exploring in this article:
- What Is Mindfulness?
- Simple Motivational Mindfulness Quotes
- Yoga Mindfulness Quotes
- Mindfulness Gratitude Quotes
- Funny Mindfulness Quotes
Different people are inspired in different ways, and we’re sure there will be something here for you. Read on for our top 20 mindfulness quotes!
But first- fancy a free e-book?
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzz word in recent years, but sometimes it can be difficult to know what’s meant by this phrase. After all, different people have different interpretations of it.
Experienced meditators, spiritual teachers, and psychologists all benefit from mindful attitudes in life, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t disagreements about how to define the practice. Thankfully, there are a few key principles that most people agree on.
According to meditation teacher Shinzen Young, mindfulness is a system of “concentration power, sensory clarity, and equanimity working together.”There are a few fundamental values that make up mindfulness:
- Non-judgmental observation
- Close attention
- Acceptance of experiences
Put simply, mindfulness encourages us to notice and observe negative thoughts and emotions in order to improve our ability to identify and cope with them in the long term.
This type of meditative practice originated several thousand years ago in ancient Asia. Key aspects of mindfulness can be found in both the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. But why do people practice it?
Mindfulness has huge benefits. Through the process of neuroplasticity, mindful meditation can physically change the structures of the brain in a positive way.
Reprogramming our minds to reduce stress and anxiety and make us better at coping with negativity can help us break unhelpful habits, reduce emotional reactivity and understand certain triggers we might have.
Developing greater calmness and peace of mind can also lead to improved sleep, reduced fatigue, and decreased blood pressure.
Okay, now that you’re aware of what mindfulness is and how it can impact your life, let’s explore some of the best quotes out there relating to this practice.
Simple Motivational Mindfulness Quotes
First up, let’s ease you in with some simple motivational mindfulness quotes. These are some of the best one-liners that capture the essence of what mindfulness is.
1. “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn
American professor and creator of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, Jon Kabat-Zinn succinctly sums up the purpose of mindfulness here.
2. “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
It’s hardly surprising that one of the most famous Vietnamese monks and deep thinkers of modern times recognizes the power of attending to the present moment.
3. “What you are is what you have been. What you’ll be is what you do now.” — Buddha
It would be remiss not to include the founder of Buddhism in this list, after all.
4. “Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.” — Dalai Lama
As the highest spiritual leader and former head of Tibet, the Dalai Lama is well qualified when it comes to the subject of meditation, calmness, and peace activism.
5. “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” — Deepak Chopra
Mindfulness is all about being still inside, regardless of what’s going on around you — this quote from Indian-American author and meditation advocate Deepak Chopra encapsulates that.
6. “The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Another one from Kabat-Zinn, this quote communicates how we should view simple pleasures as super important, rather than taking them for granted.
Yoga Mindfulness Quotes
Yoga is a type of mindful movement practice that engages your body, your mind, and your breath. Some of the best mindfulness quotes relate to the practice of yoga.
7. “Yoga does not change the way we see things. It transforms the person who sees.” — B.K.S. Iyengar
An Indian yoga teacher who founded the self-titled “Iyengar Yoga” practice, B.K.S. Iyengar was confident in the transformative nature of mindfulness.
8. “Our bodies are our gardens. Our wills are our gardeners.” — William Shakespeare
This is one of hundreds of expressions and phrases coined by the legendary British playwright, poet, and wordsmith William Shakespeare. He might not have intended it to, but we think it relates very closely to yoga and mindfulness.
9. “Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” — Margaret Lee Runbeck
The late 20th-century author Margaret Lee Runbeck has become a popular online voice of the mindfulness community.
10. “The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind.“ — Rodney Yee
According to American yoga instructor Rodney Yee, the beauty of mindful practices is you don’t need tons of equipment to be able to reap their rewards.
11. “Every emotion is connected with the breath. If you change the breath, change the rhythm, you can change the emotion.” — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Mindful breathing is a crucial aspect of both yoga and mindfulness; Indian yoga guru and founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement puts the breath at the center of his practice.
Mindfulness Gratitude Quotes
A huge part of mindfulness is about appreciating the simple pleasures in life and moving away from our tendency to take everyday moments for granted.
These gratitude mindfulness quotes are intended to help you cultivate a little more accepting and grateful approach to life.
12. “Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts.” — Pema Chödrön
An American-Tibetan Buddhist and ordained nun, Pema Chödrön has gained popularity for her ability to bring mindfulness to wider audiences.
13. “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
This one from TV icon Oprah Winfrey simply captures the difference that gratitude can make to your perspective on life.
14. “A sense of blessedness comes from a change of heart, not from more blessings.”— Mason Cooley
Cooley is well-known for his quotes and aphorisms. Here, he highlights how the key to happiness is about changing your internal attitude rather than changing your external circumstances.
15. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”— Aesop
It’s pretty similar to our last quote, but why not add a little wisdom from the Greek storyteller and philosopher Aesop?
16. “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” — Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a super-popular contemporary thinker who has brought mindfulness to the masses. This quote captures the impact it can make in your life.
Funny Mindfulness Quotes
Before we wrap up, it’s definitely worth going over a few more light-hearted quotes about mindfulness. After all, you don’t always have to be seeking deeper awakening.
17. “Today I will live in the moment. Unless the moment is unpleasant in which case I will eat a cookie.” — Anonymous
It’s not clear who came up with this phrase, but it doesn’t matter, really — we’ve all had those moments where we just want to kick back, switch off, and relax.
18. “Breathe in the good sh*t. Breathe out the bull sh*t.” — Karen Salmansohn
She might not be using the most polite language in the world, but self-help author Karen Salmansohn is keeping the mindful message simple and clear with this one.
19. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers
He may not have been talking directly about mindfulness, but American actor and social commentator Will Rogers’ words can definitely be applied here. This quote emphasizes the importance of progressing forward and challenging yourself.
20. “I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.” — Maya Angelou
Mindfulness teaches practitioners to be okay with not being okay. It’s this level of acceptance that legendary author Maya Angelou captures in this excellent quote.
Unlock The Power Of Mindfulness
Our top 20 mindfulness quotes can help you bring calmness, acceptance, motivation, and a touch of humor into your life.
By working on the skills that mindfulness teaches, you can significantly improve your life. Hopefully, our list of quotes neatly summarise exactly what this practice is all about.
Our article on the power of everyday mindfulness highlights how implementing mindful moments throughout your daily life can bring you the amazing benefits we discussed earlier on.
And for some more meditative motivation, take a look at our guide to 92 inspirational yoga quotes.
