Meditation to Calm the Mind
A calm mind is not a mind with no thoughts. It is a mind that is no longer being pulled in every direction by every thought. Raja Yoga meditation helps us step slightly back from the stream of thinking, observe what is happening and deliberately create a quieter quality of thought.
Listen to this guided reflection
Hear the written meditation below using the best natural English voice available on your device.
Voice playback is generated by your browser or device.
Understanding this meditation
When the mind is busy, trying to force it into silence often creates another struggle. A gentler approach is to become the observer. I notice thoughts without immediately becoming involved in them. This creates a small space between the thought and my response.
Raja Yoga describes this inner observer as the soul: the conscious self who thinks, chooses, remembers and experiences. Calmness grows as I stop feeding unnecessary thoughts and begin creating fewer, clearer and more purposeful ones.
Bring the meditation into daily life
Related meditations with Sister Jayanti
More meditations for everyday life
Learn Raja Yoga meditation step by step
These guided meditations are a simple way to begin. If you would like to understand soul consciousness, thought, meditation and the Raja Yoga approach more deeply, explore the free 7-Day Course.
A meditation you can practise now
I sit comfortably and allow my body to become still. I do not demand that the mind become silent. I simply begin to observe.
Thoughts may be moving quickly. That is all right. I do not fight them. I watch them as if I were watching traffic from a safe distance.
I remind myself: I am not every thought that appears. I am the one who can choose which thoughts deserve my attention.
I create one simple thought: I am a peaceful soul.
I stay with that thought for a few moments. I do not need many words. Peaceful soul. Quiet mind. Clear awareness.
If another thought interrupts, I notice it and gently return. There is no failure in returning. The act of returning is the practice.
Gradually the distance between unnecessary thoughts begins to increase. I experience more space inside the mind.
From this calmer place I can see situations more accurately. I can respond rather than react.
I finish with the understanding that calmness is not dependent on everything outside becoming perfect. Calmness begins with the quality of thought I choose to create.