“Little by little, through patience and repeated effort, the mind will become stilled in the Self.”
Source: Bhagavad Gita, 6.25 · Check the source
Verified attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The idea matches Bhagavad Gita 6.25, where Krishna advises gradually calming the mind through repeated effort.
- What remains uncertain
- The English sentence is a paraphrase that faithfully renders the verse’s meaning but is not a literal canonical translation of the Sanskrit.
Understanding the quote
The line teaches that inner stillness is earned, not granted. In Chapter 6 Krishna frames the goal of meditation as a gradual settling of the mind through steady, patient practice. The quoted wording is a later English rendering that captures the verse’s essential message.
In the original · Sanskrit
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया। आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्॥
The story behind it
The original Sanskrit uses the repeating phrase śanaiḥ śanaiḥ — ‘‘step by step’’ — to stress slow, incremental progress.
Going further
- The era
- Placed in Chapter 6, the Gita’s Dhyāna Yoga section, it outlines techniques for meditation and mind control.
- The thinking
- The teaching pairs steady practice with letting go. In plain terms: keep showing up for short sessions and stop clinging to outcomes; over time the mind calms.
- Key word
- Abhyāsa: persistent practice that trains and steadies the mind.
- Who quoted it
- Modern spiritual teachers and popular meditation guides frequently cite this verse to encourage patience in practice.
Three challenges to live it
In the app, you pick the one that fits your day, and in the evening you say how it went.
Sit for 10 minutes today, close your eyes, and gently return attention to the breath each time it wanders; simply count the breath cycles.
The quote teaches steady, patient practice. Repeatedly returning to the breath trains the mind to settle gradually into the Self.
Write for 12 minutes about a time you persisted without immediate results; describe emotions, actions, and what changed over time.
The Gita emphasizes patience and repeated effort. Reflecting on past persistence reinforces trust that stillness and progress emerge gradually through steady practice.
Do a 20-minute mindful walk: walk slowly, sync breath with steps, and return to body sensations whenever distracted.
The quote links patience and repeated effort to a stilled mind. Mindful walking gives a bodily practice of repeatedly returning to the present, helping the mind settle gradually.
How might a small, regular practice change your attention over weeks?
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