“Mindfulness isn’t difficult. We just need to remember to do it.” - Sharon Salzberg
Sharon Salzberg’s quote is very true — mindfulness can be so simple and takes so little time, that there aren’t many legitimate reasons *not* to practice it. If you want to do it, just do it, right?
But though we often have the best intentions to try something new or start a practice that is good for us, it can be difficult to make it a long lasting habit, especially in the beginning when you’re just starting out. It’s hard to commit and not lose focus on why you wanted to try in the first place.
Do you need motivation to keep up your mindfulness practice? We want to encourage you and help you do this, and we think some inspirational quotes are just the thing you need!
If your goal is to practice mindfulness more regularly, an inspirational quote will go a long way toward helping you commit — and recommit — over and over again.
If one of these quotes resonates with you, write it down on a Post-It or a piece of paper and put it somewhere you’ll see it regularly — maybe on your nightstand, taped to your bathroom mirror, or even near your workspace. Each time you read the words, we hope they remind you to stick with your mindfulness practice.
15 mindfulness quotes that will inspire you
Mindfulness is popular for a reason — it works. Not only is it a great way to reconnect and be more present day-to-day, but it can also help improve decision making, creativity, mood, and empathy. And because there are so many ways to incorporate mindfulness exercises into your life, it’s easy to find a method that works for you: a walking meditation, body scan, focused breath, etc. You don’t need much, just a bit of time, mental focus, and a quiet space.
To get you going and counteract any excuses you come up with to not practice mindfulness today, try one of the quotes below.
- “Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.” - Robin Sharma
- “Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” - Mother Teresa
- “The mind is just like a muscle — the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.” - Idowu Koyenikan
- “Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experiences.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn
- “The way to live in the present is to remember that ‘this too shall pass.’ When you experience joy, remembering that ‘this too shall pass’ helps you savor the here and now. When you experience pain and sorrow, remembering that ‘this too shall pass’ reminds you that grief, like joy, is only temporary.” - Joey Green
- “Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.” - Joseph Goldstein
- “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” - Buddha
- “Breath is the finest gift of nature. Be grateful for this wonderful gift.” - Amit Ray
- “Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn
- “The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.” - Thích Nhất Hạnh
- “When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another — and ourselves.” - Jack Kornfield
- “Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already.” - Pema Chödrön
- “Altogether, the idea of meditation is not to create states of ecstasy or absorption, but to experience being.” - Chögyam Trungpa
- “Open the window of your mind. Allow the fresh air, new lights, and new truths to enter.” - Amit Ray
- “A few simple tips for life: feet on the ground, head to the skies, heart open…quiet mind.” - Rasheed Ogunlaru
These 15 quotes are just a small sampling of the many quotes that are out there to inspire you to keep up your meditation practice. If you’re looking for one that fits a more specific mood or says something a little different, the authors that can be attributed to these quotes are a good first resource:
- Pema Chödrön: An American Tibetan Buddhist, nun and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa, she has written a number of books on mindfulness.
- Joseph Goldstein: Co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg, he leads meditation retreats and has written many books on Buddhism.
- Thích Nhất Hạnh: A Buddhist monk and peace activist, he hosts retreats and talks on mindfulness. A popular book he co-authored is Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life.
- Jack Kornfield: Author and Buddhist practitioner, he’s one of the teachers that introduced mindfulness to the West.
- Idowu Koyenikan: A business consultant that helps organizations and individuals, he’s described as a thought leader and has been recognized by Forbes magazine.
- Rasheed Ogunlaru: As a life and business coach, speaker, and author, he’s written books on business and mindfulness. Popular ones include Soul Trader: Putting the Heart Back into your Business and The Gift of Inner Success.
- Chögyam Trungpa: An important Tibetan Buddhist figure for introducing Tibetan Buddhism to the West, he is known for creating Shambhala meditation.
- Amit Ray: Well known for his Om meditation, he has authored numerous books on mindfulness and is a spiritual master.
- Sharon Salzberg: She’s a mindfulness teacher and New York Times bestselling author, plus the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society; one of her popular books is Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation.
- Robin Sharma: A Canadian writer best known for his The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari book series, he is a leadership and personal mastery speaker.
- Jon Kabat-Zinn: An American professor of medicine, writer, meditation teacher, he also created the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
We hope you’re inspired by the words of these prominent mindfulness contributors and use their quotes to keep up your own mindfulness practice.
What is one of your favorite mindfulness quotes? Share with us on Facebook and Instagram!
