The Yoga of Meditation

Krishna provides practical guidance for achieving tranquility. 'Śanaiḥ śanair uparamet'—gradually (śanaiḥ), step by step (śanaiḥ), one should attain tranquility (uparamet). This means: don't expect instant results—progress happens gradually, step by step. Be patient. 'Buddhyā dhṛti-gṛhītayā'—with the help of (buddhyā) a resolute (dhṛti) intellect (gṛhītayā). This means: use your intellect firmly, with determination, with resolve—not passively, but actively. 'Ātma-saṁsthaṁ manaḥ kṛtvā'—having fixed (kṛtvā) the mind (manaḥ) in the Self (ātma-saṁstham). This means: establish your mind in your true nature—not scattered, not wandering, but fixed in the Self. 'Na kiñcid api cintayet'—should not think (cintayet) of anything (kiñcit) else (api). This means: once your mind is fixed in the Self, don't think of other things—no distractions, no wandering thoughts, just the Self. This is the method: gradually, with resolute intellect, fix mind in Self, think of nothing else.