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This year, the Mindful editorial team had the pleasure of connecting with ten remarkable women who are at the forefront of fostering kindness and connection in the world. These conversations were enlightening and highlighted their unwavering commitment to compassion and mindfulness for our 2025 edition on the Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement. Each interview was packed with insightful narratives, so much so that the challenge became how to condense their wisdom into brief profiles. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, many profound insights didn’t make the final cut. In this article, we are pleased to share some of the valuable reflections from these inspiring leaders that deserve to be highlighted.
To delve deeper into the Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement: 2025, you can access the full feature article and explore guided meditations by these remarkable women.
12 Mindfulness Quotes About Making a Difference
1. “When discussions about access and equity are merely performative marketing, it becomes evident. My perspective is that if there’s no willingness to transform environments—whether digital, printed, or physical—while labeling them as inclusive, then genuine inclusivity isn’t achieved. Real change involves ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate.” – Sue Hutton
2. “I don’t mean to downplay the importance of reducing stress for individuals. That’s certainly beneficial. However, once we address that stress, we have the opportunity to take a significant step forward in understanding our shared human connections.” – Shalini Bahl
“Once we address that stress, we have the opportunity to take a significant step forward in understanding our shared human connections.”
Shalini Bahl
3. “Every experience we have is interwoven with those of others. This understanding prompts reflection on our collective responsibility. If I’m part of a community of beings, what obligations do I have in this intricately connected world?” – Yuria Celidwen
4. “Rather than referring to it as an inner critic, I prefer the term judge. Our thoughts affect our lives individually, but they also reflect a collective mindset. While the judge critiques inwardly, it similarly critiques outwardly. Recognizing this connection can illuminate the relationship between personal self-criticism and broader societal issues such as bias and systemic injustice.” – Caverly Morgan
5. “Many survivors of gun violence do not see themselves as needing mental health support, which often prevents them from accessing valuable resources that could assist in their healing journey.” – Brenda K. Mitchell
6. “Avoiding suffering only leads to increased alienation and tension, as suffering is an intrinsic aspect of life. To embrace our full humanity, we must learn to coexist with suffering.” – Vidyamala Burch
7. “In psychology, many foundational theories originate from European philosophers. A deeper exploration of healing involves acknowledging wisdom traditions beyond Europe. What other teachings can inform our understanding of mental health?” – Shelly Harrell
“Let me help you stay strong so we can create the type of change we envision for the world.”
Melli O’Brien
8. “In my work, I aim to empower individuals so we can effect meaningful change amid the global mental health crisis. This engagement is crucial to tackling society’s most pressing challenges and to fostering a world that is more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable.” – Melli O’Brien
9. “A wealth of wisdom begins with body awareness—recognizing where tension resides and how emotions like fear and anger manifest. Taking a moment to acknowledge our suffering with kindness can create a pathway for healing within ourselves, which can then extend outward to those we care about, potentially creating a ripple effect of compassion.” – S. Helen Ma
10. “Resistance is often what impedes our ability to change, as humans are naturally inclined to resist transformation. Cultivating awareness, compassion, and curiosity can be the keys to overcoming this resistance.” – Shalini Bahl
11. “While we all aspire to find peace and regulation, that is merely a preliminary step toward taking meaningful action to address the chaos in the world. We need to explore how we can truly serve our communities, ensuring that we all emerge stronger together.” – Yuria Celidwen
“If I’m constantly criticizing myself in an attempt to improve, I cannot effectively contribute to a community that seeks transformative energy.”
Caverly Morgan
12. “In addressing issues such as bias, racism, or systemic oppression, we cannot expect collective healing if we do not first understand how to foster it within ourselves. If I engage in self-criticism daily, I cannot add positive energy to a community seeking to cultivate authentic change.” – Caverly Morgan
Source
www.mindful.org