Partnering across borders to nurture a global culture of mindfulness.
Fifteen years ago, I joined the mindfulness field, working first at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University, then moving to Oxford in 2019. I’ve always had a passion for making mindfulness accessible and relevant for all populations. In the early days, mindfulness was very much rooted in the clinical sector with a focus on alleviating health conditions, but we now know that mindfulness approaches and practices have the potential to benefit everyone. This broader societal implementation really excites me, especially as we work to introduce mindfulness into new communities.
Introducing mindfulness into new sectors isn’t always easy. There are misconceptions to navigate and a need to tailor language and programmes to make it relatable to specific populations. However, I continue to witness the impact mindfulness can have, helping people find calm in busy lives, manage stress, build resilience, and reconnect with themselves, others and the environments around them. It remains deeply rewarding work.
Over my years in this field, I have worked with many amazing people and inspiring organisations as they introduce mindfulness to their networks. This has included work in the finance, hospitality, media, retail, and education sectors. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with parliamentarians in several countries, and now I am delighted to be working with a member of a royal family.
In September 2024, I received a message from Princess Noor Bint Asem of Jordan, who shared her passion for mindfulness and a vision that resonated deeply with me. She spoke about her hope of weaving mindfulness into the very fabric of family life, giving children the tools they need from an early age to cultivate awareness, kindness, and emotional well-being. It was immediately clear that our values and aspirations were closely aligned.
After all, today’s children will grow into the leaders, decision-makers, and community builders of tomorrow, and by equipping them with mindfulness skills early, we have the opportunity to shape a future society that is more compassionate, resilient, and understanding
Maybe, in the future, those with similar roles to mine will find introducing mindfulness into new areas a little easier.
Princess Noor is already an inspiring voice in this space, having just published three books (all endorsed by Oxford Mindfulness) that introduce mindful concepts to children. Her work recognises that the earlier we introduce these skills, the more natural and enduring they become. Together, we are now exploring how we can build on this new collaboration to further our vision of mindful societies, starting with childhoods.
This is not teaching or a training programme
We are simply helping foster a mindful culture around children. Our shared vision is simple but profound: imagine a generation of children growing up with mindfulness not as an afterthought, but as a foundation. Children could be supported to better regulate their emotions, show compassion to themselves and others, manage challenges with resilience, and step into adulthood with compassion for themselves, those around them, and the planet, while maintaining a strong sense of mental and emotional well-being.
We are currently in the early stages of shaping this partnership, and we look forward to welcoming Princess Noor to the UK soon to meet in person and continue our discussions. We are excited about what lies ahead and about the opportunity to work together to make mindfulness a vibrant part of family life around the world.
It’s a reminder of why my personal introduction to mindfulness excited me: the vision to make mindfulness accessible, relevant, and woven into the everyday fabric of our lives. This collaboration feels like a powerful continuation of that mission.
Sharon Hadley – CEO
