I am proud to come from New Zealand, the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in 1893. More recently, New Zealand was the first democracy to have all key government roles, such as Prime Minister, Chief Justice, and Governor General, held by women. I come from a tradition of strong women and feel a deep sense of duty to stand tall and true in my own life, honoring my courageous and heroic ancestors.
I want to share how mindfulness has transformed my life over the past thirty years and how it can change others’ lives too, which inspired me to write “Mindfulness for Women.” As I worked on the book, I realized that many of the themes were rooted in my pride in my New Zealand heritage as a woman. It also became a tribute to all the remarkable and resilient women who have surrounded me, from my grandmother and confident aunts, to my mother and three amazing sisters. I have been fortunate to forge key friendships during my time in an all-girls high school and within women’s Buddhist communities, many of which remain strong today.
I have met many women who have achieved incredible things, not just in their careers, but in overcoming difficult circumstances such as illness and pain. They have managed to create fulfilling and joyful lives through practicing mindfulness and the associated qualities of kindness and compassion. This passion for helping women use mindfulness to reach their potential is deeply important to me.
Growing up in New Zealand during the seventies, girls were encouraged to dream big and overcome obstacles. At that time, I loved the mountains and wilderness and dreamed of being a wildlife ranger. Although the New Zealand Wildlife Service didn’t employ women, I was determined. At 15, I visited a Director at their head office and asked what it would take for him to employ me. He told me to get a very good qualification, so I decided to become a veterinary surgeon, knowing it would be the perfect skill set for working with the majestic creatures in the mountains and the sea.
To Claire, mindfulness and meditation initially felt like just more items on her never-ending ‘to-do’ list. However, as we worked together, she grew increasingly curious about mindfulness and started keeping a practice diary. This diary became an integral part of the book, and I believe many women will relate to Claire’s experience of initial resistance followed by genuine excitement as she began to see the benefits of taking time each day to stop and connect with her mind and heart. Our book also includes moving and gritty case studies of women who discovered mindfulness, sometimes in the most challenging circumstances.
My hope is for women from all walks of life to read the book and find that inner peace is only a breath away. I want them to gain self-belief and stand tall in their lives. Most importantly, I hope we recognize how our thoughts and actions continuously shape the world, and with mindfulness, we can become positive agents of change and transformation. This is the essence of International Women’s Day: women believing in themselves and others, working together to create a better world for today’s women and future generations.
Being mindful or fully present in the moment has transformed my life, helping me stay deeply connected with the present rather than being consumed by thoughts of the future.