I love quotes and I have several blog posts about them on my site… I’m a believer in being my highest self and being the best Dad I can be… So, teaching mindfulness practice to my son has become increasingly important. This is the reason why I made this article about mindfulness quotes for kids.
Mindfulness meditation is the practice of being fully present in the current moment, without judgment or distraction. It helps kids develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a positive outlook on life as well as a little inner peace. Easier said than done, I know but a little goes a long way.
One effective way to introduce mindfulness to your little ones is through inspirational quotes. These quotes can inspire and empower kids to embrace the present moment, cultivate gratitude, and navigate life with confidence and joy.
Who Started Mindfulness?
Mindfulness has been around for ages—like, we’re talking ancient history here. It mainly comes from Buddhism, where it’s called Sati (which basically means paying attention).
The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, taught mindfulness over 2,500 years ago. He outlined it in a guide called the Satipatthana Sutta, where he talked about staying aware of your body, feelings, thoughts, and everything going on in your head.
Fast forward to modern times, and a guy named Jon Kabat-Zinn made mindfulness super popular in the West. Back in 1979, he came up with something called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to help people chill out and deal with stress.
His version was more science-y and less about religion, which made it a hit in hospitals, schools, and even workplaces.
Other folks helped spread the word, too, like Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen master from Vietnam who wrote a ton of books on living mindfully. And then there were people like Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Jack Kornfield, who brought mindfulness meditation from Buddhist traditions to the U.S.
Even though mindfulness is mostly tied to Buddhism, similar ideas pop up in other places, like Hinduism, Taoism, and even ancient Greek Stoicism. So, while we might not know who exactly started it, a lot of people helped shape it into what we know today!
Mindfulness Quotes from Influential Figures
Thich Nhat Hanh
- “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.”
- “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
- “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”
Sharon Salzberg
- “Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes.”
- “Being mindful means that we suspend judgment for a time, set aside our immediate goals for the future, and take in the present moment as it is.”
Jon Kabat-Zinn
- “Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.”
- “The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”
- “The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.”
Eckhart Tolle
- “Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It’s a way of entering into the quiet that’s already there.”
- “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.”
- “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
Dalai Lama
- “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
- “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”
- “The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion.”
Mindfulness Quotes for Kids from Various Sources
1- “In this moment, there is plenty of time. In this moment, you are precisely as you should be. In this moment, there is infinite possibility.” – Victoria Moran
2- “Your actions are your only true belongings.” – Allan Lokos
3- “The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
4- “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
5- “A mind set in its ways is wasted.” – Eric Schmidt
6- “Life is a dance. Mindfulness is witnessing that dance.” – Amit Ray
7- “How you look at it is pretty much how you’ll see it.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru
8- “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
9- “Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction.” – Rumi
10- “Mindfulness clears the windshield of the mind so that we can see things as they really are.” – Travis Eliot
Daily Life and About the Present Moment
11- “Mindfulness isn’t difficult; we just need to remember to do it.” – Sharon Salzberg
12- “Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
13- “The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
14- “Hakuna Matata…. It means no worries for the rest of your days.” – ‘The Lion King’
15- “Nothing is forever except change.” – Buddha
16- “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers
17- “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
18- “Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.” – Deepak Chopra
19- “Don’t let the noise of other opinions drown your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs
Happiness and Gratitude
20- “The basic root of happiness lies in our minds; outer circumstances are nothing more than adverse or favorable.” – Matthieu Ricard
21- “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
22- “The feeling that any task is a nuisance will soon disappear if it is done in mindfulness.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
23- “Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts.” – Pema Chödrön
24- “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.” – St. Francis
25- “If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” – Banksy
26- “Because you are alive, everything is possible.” – Nhat Hanh
27- “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama
28- “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray
Mindfulness Quotes for Kids About Self-Acceptance and Growth
29- “Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.” – Jack Kornfield
30- “Respond; don’t react. Listen; don’t talk. Think; don’t assume.” – Raji Lukkoor
31- “You cannot control the results, only your actions.” – Allan Lokos
32- “Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that – thoughts.” – Allan Lokos
33- “There is something wonderfully bold and liberating about saying yes to our entire imperfect and messy life.” – Tara Brach
34- “What would it be like if I could accept life – accept this moment – exactly as it is?” – Tara Brach
35- “In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.” – The Dalai Lama
36- “When you talk, you are repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” – Dalai Lama
37- “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle
Overcoming Challenges
38- “Only the soul knows what love is.” – Rumi
39- “Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.” – Grandmother Willow, ‘Pocahontas’
40- “If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” – Rabbi Harold Kushner
41- “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey
42- “We have only now, only this single eternal moment opening and unfolding before us, day and night.” – Jack Kornfield
43- “To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss
44- “There are no traffic jams when you go the extra mile.” – Kenneth McFarland
45- “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday, and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.” – Unknown
46- “In a world full of doing, doing, doing, it’s important to take a moment to just breathe, to just be.” – Dalai Lama
47- “Silenzio Bruno!” – Luca & Alberto, ‘Luca’.
Fun Mindfulness Quotes For Kids from Dad
Depending on your children’s ages everyday life quotes could be super fun to introduce to them. You don’t need to be overly spiritual or woohee… Just simply understanding what mindfulness means and how it can help you and your kids during a rough patch in life is an ultimate weapon.
Love life, it’s full of bad things and also brilliant things it’s all about balance and a calm mind. Here are a few more good simple quotes from a Dad’s perspective~~
48- Find stillness within.
49- Let go of worry.
50- Notice without judgment.
51- Stay grounded in now.
52- Cultivate inner peace.
53- Listen to your breath.
54- Connect with your senses.
55- Accept what is.
Mindfulness Quotes For Kids Cont…
56- Release what no longer serves you.
57- Practice gratitude daily.
58- Trust in the process.
59- Observe thoughts like passing clouds.
60- Find beauty in simplicity.
61- Notice the rhythm of life.
62- Let silence speak to your soul.
63- Be gentle with yourself.
64- Offer kindness to others.
65- Seek joy in small moments.
66- Choose love over fear.
67- Trust in your inner wisdom.
68- Embrace uncertainty.
69- Let your heart guide you.
70- See the interconnectedness of all things.
71- Allow yourself to just be.
72- Honor your feelings.
73- Cultivate a sense of wonder.
74- Surrender to the present moment.
75- Trust in the unfolding of life.
76- Be kind to yourself and others.
77-Choose peace over conflict.
78- Find refuge in stillness.
79- Be kind to yourself in times of struggle.
80- Embrace the fullness of life.
81- Be fully present in each moment.
82-See the beauty in each day.
83- Trust in the wisdom of your heart.
84- Embrace the beauty of life.
85- Be fully engaged in each moment.
86- Cultivate a sense of gratitude.
87- See the world with fresh eyes.
88- Let go of the past and future.
Benefits of Mindfulness for Kids
- Better Focus in School
Mindfulness helps kids stay present, making it easier for them to pay attention in class and finish their homework without zoning out. - Improved Emotional Regulation
Teaching kids mindfulness gives them tools to handle big emotions like frustration, sadness, or anger without melting down. - Less Stress and Anxiety
Mindfulness is like a mental chill pill, helping kids feel more relaxed and less overwhelmed when life gets hectic. - Boosted Confidence
When kids practice mindfulness, they learn to trust themselves, build self-awareness, and feel more in control. - Better Sleep
Bedtime battles? Mindfulness can help kids unwind, calm their racing thoughts, and get to sleep faster. - Stronger Relationships
By being more present and empathetic, kids can connect better with friends, siblings, and even parents (yes, you!).
Last Deep Breath
Mindfulness quotes for kids have the power to inspire, empower, and guide young minds toward a life filled with presence, gratitude, and joy in their daily lives.
By incorporating these quotes into mindful moments, children can learn to embrace the present, nurture their emotional and mental health, and navigate the challenges of life with resilience and compassion.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool in today’s fast-paced world, especially when it comes to parenting. As a dad striving to teach my son life’s valuable lessons, I often find that incorporating mindfulness practices into our daily routine has a positive impact on both of us.
Mindful breathing, for example, is a great way to connect with the present moment and instill emotional resilience in kids.
Inspirational quotes from figures like Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, and Maya Angelou serve as gentle reminders of how we can find wisdom and tranquility amidst life’s challenges.
Their words of wisdom, such as Marcus Aurelius’ reflections on serenity or Lao Tzu’s teachings on simplicity, resonate deeply. Even Walt Disney’s advice that “tiny matters make a difference” e highlights the value of small, consistent efforts in our mindfulness journey.
Enjoy The ‘Now’
In today’s rush, we often overlook the importance of emotional intelligence. Teaching children to pause, breathe, and reflect before reacting helps build a positive mindset.
This growth mindset is beautifully formed in the teachings of thinkers like the ones mentioned, who emphasize the benefits of mindfulness.
One of my favorite quotes for teaching mindfulness comes from James Baraz: “Mindfulness is the first step in recognizing the beauty of the present.” This concept ties into my parenting philosophy, where I aim to foster a positive attitude and emotional connection with my son.
Introducing my son to mindful practices through journal prompts or acts of kindness has been transformative. Whether it’s reflecting on favorite quotes or simply engaging in deep breaths together, the results are evident.
Conclusion
These practices cultivate a sense of wonder and help us navigate life’s challenges with grace. As Dr. Seuss wisely noted, “To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” By teaching mindfulness, I’m not only enriching my son’s life but also making the world a better place. So, encourage your little ones to live mindfully, one quote at a time.
