A Poem For The Still Mind (YS 1.2)

Rest beneath the waves of the mind. This poem is inspired by Yoga Sutra 1.2: Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ
Yoga is the stilling of the movements of the mind.

Patanjali reminds us that Yoga is not about fighting the mind or forcing every thought to disappear. It is about allowing the waves of thought, emotion, memory, worry, and inner noise to soften, so we can remember the quiet depth beneath them.

This short reflective poem is an invitation to stop struggling with every movement of the mind and gently return to stillness, spaciousness, and inner peace.

You are also warmly invited to join the Living the Yoga Sutras group here on Insight Timer to explore the sutras, share reflections, ask questions, and access related practices.

Beneath every wave, the depth remains.

Transcript

This poem is inspired by Yoga Sutra 1. 2. YOGAS CHETA VDETI NIDODAH Yoga is the stilling of the movements of the mind. This sutra reminds us that yoga is not about fighting the mind or forcing thoughts to disappear. It is about learning to witness the waves of thought. Emotion, Memory and body. Until they begin to settle. Beneath the movement of the mind, There is a quieter depth within us. This poem is an invitation to stop struggling with every wave and to remember the stillness that remains beneath it all. You do not need to silence the mind by force. Simply listen. Let the waves soften and rest in the depth beneath them. This poem is titled Beneath the Waves. The mind becomes a restless lake. Where every wind creates a form. A memory rises, Fear takes shape, And thought begins another storm. We follow every moving wave, Believing each one speaks what's true. Yet, Underneath the broken light, A deeper stillness waits in you. A word can stir the water's face, A silence wake an ancient ache, But not each ripple needs your trust, And not each thought is yours to take. You need not fight the moving mind or force the waves to disappear. Sit gently at the water's edge and let awareness draw you near. The mud will settle when untouched. The restless wind will lose its claim. What seemed confused becomes more clear. Though nothing outward changed its name. A fear may rise, A grief may pass, A hope may shimmer, Then be gone. The lake receives each changing form, Yet in its depth remains as one. So when the mind begins to race, Remember what the surface hides. You are not every thought that moves. You are the silence where it glides. Clear. Thank you for listening. Namaste.