Mindfulness quotes & poetry

Mindfulness brings us home to ourselves and helps us live more deeply connected with what is fundamental and what truly matters to us. We return to directly experiencing ourselves and our lives more vividly, not continually through the veil of the thinking mind.

Poetry is really helpful in this process. Participants of courses tell me that it touches them deeply, not just their understanding but also their senses, intelligence, emotions and imagination. Rather than describing an experience, it IS the experience. So, it shows us how to be more present in the living of our lives and it allows us to share these heartfelt experiences with others.

For example – The Project by Muriel Rukeyser

The pot flower on the windowsill says to me
In words that are green-edged red leaves:
Flower flower flower flower
Today for the sake of the dead Burst into flower!

Advice from John O’Donohue, Anam Cara : A book of Celtic Wisdom
“Many of us have made our world so familiar that we do not see it anymore. An interesting question to ask yourself at night is, What did I really see this day?”

or John O’Donohue again reminds us that we are co-creators in our experience (Beauty : An Invisible Embrace) “What you encounter, recognise or discover depends to a large degree on the quality of your approach… When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the surface and its light awakens the concealed beauty in things. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. The rushed heart and arrogant mind lack the gentleness and patience to enter that embrace.”

Here I share some of my favourite poems to inspire you!