You don’t need an extraordinary life to find moments of pure joy. You can live the most ordinary life, in the most ordinary house, doing the simplest everyday things, and still discover a deep sense of peace and perfection.
Mindfulness invites us to see beauty in these small, everyday moments—to savor the warmth of a morning coffee, the sound of laughter drifting through a room, or the gentle light of dusk settling over the day. In practicing mindfulness, we learn to let go of the need for constant excitement and instead embrace the calm contentment of being right where we are.
Mindfulness quotes are like small reminders that help us return to the here and now. A simple quote, a thoughtful phrase, or an inspiring line can bring us back to why we’re practicing mindfulness in the first place—helping us reconnect with a sense of peace and presence.
These mindfulness quotes can be invaluable guides, especially on those days when our minds are restless, or when we find ourselves caught up in the stresses of everyday life.
For me, the teachings of Thích Nhất Hạnh have been instrumental in shaping my practice of mindful living. His thoughts on mindful living have taught me how to gently bring my wandering mind back to the present moment, over and over, without judgment or frustration.
When I feel myself getting lost in thought—worrying about the future, rehashing the past—I remember his words: “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
And so I breathe, and with each breath, I anchor myself back into the present, back into the simplicity of what’s right in front of me.
In this spirit, I’ve gathered a collection of mindfulness quotes to remind you of the beauty in the present moment. These inspirational quotes come from wise thinkers and spiritual teachers, all offering insights on how to be fully awake to life as it unfolds.
Whether you’re seeking a sense of calm, a bit of inspiration, or just a reminder to pause and breathe, I hope these quotes about mindfulness help you reconnect with the wonder in the ordinary.
As you read through these quotes on mindfulness, let them be gentle reminders to slow down and appreciate the beauty in each moment. Take your time, pause after each one, and notice how the words resonate with you. Let this be an invitation to embrace the simple perfection of being, just as you are, right here and now.
MINDFULNESS QUOTES FOR EVERYDAY JOY AND MINDFUL LIVING
1 “The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.” – Anonymous
2 “A simple life, lived with attention and love, can be nothing short of perfect.” – Anonymous
3. “The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
4. “Wherever you are, be there totally.” – Eckhart Tolle
5. “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
6. “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” – Buddha
7. “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
8. “Do every act of your life as though it were the last act of your life.” – Marcus Aurelius
9. “In today’s rush, we all think too much—seek too much—want too much—and forget about the joy of just being.” – Eckhart Tolle
10. “Mindfulness isn’t difficult; we just need to remember to do it.” – Sharon Salzberg
11. “When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu
12. “To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti
12. “Life is a dance. Mindfulness is witnessing that dance.” – Amit Ray
13. “Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
14. “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle
15. “Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that.” – Sylvia Boorstein
16. “When you make peace with the present moment, you make peace with yourself.” – Eckhart Tolle
17. “The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
18. “In the end, just three things matter: how well we have lived, how well we have loved, how well we have learned to let go.” – Jack Kornfield
19. “Observe the space between your thoughts, then observe the observer.” – Hamilton Boudreaux
20. “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.” – Carl Jung
21. “The way to live in the present is to remember that ‘This too shall pass.’” – Deepak Chopra
22. “Mindfulness isn’t about letting go of things you love. It’s about letting go of your attachment to them.” – Anonymous
23. “The gift of mindfulness is the ability to be present, to tap into the beauty around us.” – Kristin Neff
24. “Each of us has to work out our own destiny to find our own path to live mindfully and joyfully.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
25. “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers
26. “Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
27. “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss
28. “One conscious breath in and out is a meditation.” – Eckhart Tolle
29. “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” – Mother Teresa
30. “Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” – Rumi
31. “A mind set in its ways is wasted.” – Eric Schmidt
32. “Peace is every step.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
33. “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray
34. “Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
35. “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” – Ram Dass
36. “When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.” – Shunryu Suzuki
37. “Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.” – Jack Kornfield
38. “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” – Eckhart Tolle
39. “Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.” – Eckhart Tolle
40. “Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
41. “Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different.” – James Baraz
42. “Let go of your mind and then be mindful. Close your ears and listen!” – Rumi
43. “The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
44. “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
45. “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh
46. “Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of This Moment.” – Rumi
47. “Be a witness, not a judge. Focus on yourself, not on others. Listen to your heart, not to the crowd.” – Anonymous
48. “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” – Deepak Chopra
49. “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” – Seneca
50. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu
Life can often feel overwhelming, especially during difficult times. But mindfulness teaches us that peace isn’t something we have to chase—it’s something we can discover in the present moment, even in the smallest, most ordinary details of our day.
These mindfulness quotes are here to remind us to breathe deeply, stay present, and approach each day with a gentle heart.
As you move forward, remember: “One day at a time is all we need to deal with.”
Mindfulness helps us to let go of the pressure to have everything figured out or to handle every challenge at once. Instead, it encourages us to take things one moment, one breath, one step at a time.
Let these mindfulness quotes be steady companions, guiding you back to your inner calm and resilience whenever life feels overwhelming. With each new day, may you find moments of peace—no matter how small—that help you reconnect with yourself and embrace the beauty of right now.
Also read:
- How to Embrace Mindful Living Everyday
- How to Slow Down and Relax
- Things to do for Mindful Night Routine
