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Earlier this year, the Mindful editorial team had the privilege of engaging with ten remarkable women who are at the forefront of promoting kindness and connection in our world. As part of the 2025 edition of the Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement feature article, each interview revealed inspiring narratives, steadfast dedication to compassion, and an overwhelming amount of wisdom that challenged us to present their stories concisely. Despite our efforts, numerous insightful comments were left on the cutting room floor. Here, we showcase some of those profound reflections that are worthy of recognition.
To explore more about The Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2025, you can find the feature article here, along with guided meditations provided by these influential women here.
12 Enlightening Quotes on Compassion
1. “For the foundation of compassion to take root, we must strive to ensure that all beings can benefit from these practices, which means embracing the vast diversity present in our world.” – Sue Hutton
2. “Research indicates we naturally empathize with those within our in-group, but not necessarily with those outside of it. This highlights the necessity of practicing compassion, as we are surrounded by a mosaic of identities and cultures. In a time when social media can amplify divisions, it’s essential to actively foster compassion.” – Shalini Bahl
“Compassion is very clear-eyed. It’s not sentimental; it’s both wise and objective.” – Vidyamala Burch
3. “Compassion remains a clear-sighted concept. It’s devoid of sentimentality, embodying wisdom and objectivity.” – Vidyamala Burch
4. “Meditation transcends mere focus or calmness. While these are important, the ultimate aim is to achieve present awareness, which reveals how we engage with others and influences our capacity to affect change in real time, thereby broadening our compassion and our overall impact.” – Nanea Reeves
5. “The ethics of belonging compel us to scrutinize the narratives we’ve established—both cultural and personal. This understanding urges us to perceive life in all its forms, fostering a sense of kinship with every experience and being.” – Yuria Celidwen
“True mindfulness naturally fosters compassion.” – S. Helen Ma
6. “Being truly mindful inevitably leads us to be compassionate.” – S. Helen Ma
7. “Engaging in self-compassion is an incredibly transformative journey. However, some individuals approach it with a goal-oriented mindset, seeking tools for self-improvement. In truth, compassion arises organically when we allow ourselves to simply be.” – Caverly Morgan
8. “Disconnection manifests as dehumanization and disengagement, leading to oppression and trauma that sever our connections to ourselves and each other. The process of reconnection is vital.” – Shelly Harrell
9. “When embarking on a journey with someone, consider the type of person you want by your side. If the companion is critical and unsupportive, it becomes challenging to enjoy the journey. A supportive and kind presence fosters a more pleasant experience throughout life’s travels.” – Melli O’Brien
“How do we cultivate the ability to listen to our world and to the beautiful, living planet we inhabit?” – Yuria Celidwen
10. “Even amidst feelings of emotional turbulence or disinterest, we can still commit to listening—in this context, extending our attention to nature and our surroundings, learning how to genuinely hear the world that supports us.” – Yuria Celidwen
11. “We might articulate our thoughts sweetly and feel a sense of well-being from our practices, yet compassion must embody a connective quality. It’s essential to be mindful of how our intentions are received and the impacts they have, as even the best intentions can yield negative outcomes.” – Shelly Harrell
12. “For me, both mindfulness and self-compassion represent significant strengths in my life. I can’t contribute meaningfully to the world unless I silence the inner critic that perpetually undermines my efforts.” – Melli O’Brien
Source
www.mindful.org