I’m proud to be from New Zealand, the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Moreover, New Zealand became the first democracy where all key government roles — Prime Minister, Chief Justice, and Governor General — were occupied by women. I come from a lineage of strong women and feel a responsibility to honor my courageous forebears by standing tall in my own life.
I want to share how mindfulness has transformed my life over the past thirty years and how it can do the same for other women. This motivation led me to write “Mindfulness for Women.” As I worked on the book, I realized that many of its themes were inspired by my pride in my New Zealand heritage and strong women role models. These include my grandmother, my confident aunts, my mother, my three amazing sisters, and the meaningful friendships I’ve formed in all-girls schools and women’s Buddhist communities over the years. Many of these friendships are still strong today.
I’ve encountered women who have achieved incredible feats, not just in their careers but in creating fulfilling lives despite facing challenges like illness and pain. They’ve done this through mindfulness, kindness, and compassion, which is why I’m passionate about women using mindfulness to reach their full potential.
Growing up in New Zealand in the seventies, we were encouraged to dream big and view obstacles as challenges to be overcome. I loved the mountains and wilderness and dreamt of becoming a wildlife ranger, even though the New Zealand Wildlife Service didn’t employ women at the time. Determined, I approached a Director at their head office at 15 and asked how I could convince them to hire me. He advised me to obtain a strong qualification, so I decided to become a veterinary surgeon, believing this would equip me well for working with wildlife.
Claire, a contributor to my book, initially saw mindfulness and meditation as just more items on her to-do list. However, as we worked together, she grew curious and began keeping a practice diary, which became a crucial part of the book. Many women will likely relate to Claire’s journey from initial resistance to genuine excitement as she reaped the benefits of mindfulness.
My aim for the book is for women from all walks of life to find inner peace, build self-belief, and stand tall. By practicing mindfulness, we can shape a better world through our thoughts and actions, becoming positive agents of change and transformation. This aligns with the spirit of International Women’s Day: women believing in themselves and each other, campaigning for a better world for today’s and future generations.
I have found that being mindful and fully present has transformed my life, allowing me to focus on the moment and truly connect with it.