यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम्। ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत्॥
yato yato niśhcharati manaśh chañchalam asthiram tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśhaṁ nayet
Meaning
Wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one should bring it back and establish it in the Self alone.
This is the essential meditation instruction: the mind will wander — that's its nature — but each time you notice, gently bring it back. Don't fight or criticize the wandering; just redirect with patience. Over time, this repeated redirection trains the mind to stay focused. The practice is in the returning, not in never wandering.
Strength Reflection
"I patiently bring my wandering mind back, knowing that the return is the practice itself."
Devotional Surrender
Krishna, each time my mind strays, help me lovingly guide it back to You.