Immerse yourself in the wisdom of meditation with these 33 inspiring quotes, each a beacon of insight from esteemed spiritual teachers and philosophers. The art of meditation doesn’t involve striving to become something better, but rather, it’s about embracing who we truly are. Pema Chödrön reminds us that meditation is an act of befriending ourselves.
01. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti, with his profound perspective, describes meditation as a keen awareness of every thought and feeling, without judgment, leading us to the profound stillness within. He invites us to observe the delicate dance of thought and emotion, from which emerges the transformative power of silence.
02. Ram Dass
Ram Dass speaks to the persistence required in meditation, despite the resistance we encounter within ourselves. Like a key to unlocking the shackles of our thoughts, meditation reveals the limitations we impose on ourselves, allowing us to transcend them.
03. Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda addresses the focused practice of yoga, underscoring the need for earnest dedication. Mastery over the mind is a journey of detachment, leading to true freedom, and this requires unwavering perseverance.
04. Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh eloquently captures the serenity of the present moment, where inner peace blooms with every step. We become attuned to the beauty around us, and this simple path is a meditation in itself.
05. Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran guides us through the stages of meditation, a journey of self-discovery. We first recognize that we are not just our bodies, then realize the astounding truth that we are not merely our minds either. This revelation paves the way for authentic transformation.
06. Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda emphasizes the importance of controlling the mind, a vital step toward freedom. Pratyahara, the art of controlling the outgoing powers of the mind, empowers us to develop a strong character and overcome the limitations of mere mechanical existence.
07. Ramana Maharishi
Ramana Maharishi teaches us the power of concentration, the essence of meditation. A dissipated mind reveals weakness, while consistent meditation bestows strength, allowing us to hold onto one thought and, in doing so, achieve renewal.
08. Pema Chödrön
Pema Chödrön encourages us to be with our experiences, whatever they may be, without striving to meet an ideal. In this unpretentious acceptance, we find the richness of the present moment, a true essence of meditation.
09. Lama Surya Das
Lama Surya Das paints a poetic picture of meditation as a continuous cycle, where we release the old, welcome the new, and renew ourselves with each breath. This rhythm is the essence of meditation, the cycle of life itself.
10. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti’s words resonate deeply, defining meditation as a state of attentive awareness, free from judgment and opinion. It’s not a pursuit of an imagined bliss, but a profound discovery of the movement of life in all its complexity.
11. Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi guides us through the stages of meditation, from awakening a sleepy mind to stilling its restlessness, ultimately leading to a state beyond sleep and movement, where we find our true natural state.
12. Thich Nhat Hanh’s
Thich Nhat Hanh’s mindfulness reminds us that in the present moment, we deepen our understanding of life’s intricacies, leading to acceptance, joy, peace, and love. This deep connection with the present is a profound gift of meditation.
13. Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda instructs us in the initial steps of meditation, a process of negation followed by assertion. By stripping away distractions, we assert our true nature—existence, knowledge, and bliss. This transition leads us toward liberation.
14. Alan Watts
Alan Watts draws parallels between meditation and other forms of artistic expression, where the journey itself is the destination. In meditation, we discover that the essence of life is always found in the immediate moment.
15. Sri Chinmoy paints
Sri Chinmoy paints meditation as a revelation, a bridge between matter and spirit, a timeless communion with Eternity itself. Through meditation, life transcends its temporal boundaries, and we glimpse the infinite.
16. Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda’s words resound with the pursuit of divine communion, a persistent endeavor. He calls upon us to dive deep into the ocean of meditation, to seize the pearls of blessed communion. The fault lies not with the divine presence but with our diving skills.
17. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti takes us on a journey of abandonment, shedding the burden of others’ words and our own misfortunes. Through this abandonment, we discover a mind that is truly alive, innocent, and capable of grasping the truth beyond words.
18. Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi reveals the essence of true consciousness, urging us to remain in independent awareness, not merging with the environment. This inner awareness allows us to truly grasp the nature of existence.
19. Ram Das
Ram Das speaks of the plateaus in meditation, the moments of discouragement and negativity. He emphasizes the need for faith and persistence during these challenging phases, the key to moving beyond and reaching new heights.
20. Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda’s wisdom unfolds the art of meditation, a process that transforms us. Prayers and ceremonials are the kindergartens of meditation, preparing us for profound communion with our true nature.
21. Alan Watts
Alan Watts highlights the significance of breath in meditation, the bridge between the voluntary and involuntary realms. Breathing connects us to the essence of life, a place where we merge with the flow of existence.
22. Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy encourages us to recognize the quality of our meditation by its impact on our perception of the world. A good meditation leaves us with a loving view of the imperfect world around us, a sign of its positive influence.
23. Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda reminds us that meditation is a process of divestment from material conditions, a revelation of our divine nature. Through meditation, we transcend external dependencies, and our interactions with the world become filled with love.
24. Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy beckons us to plunge into something vast and infinite through meditation, an ocean of peace and renewal. By immersing ourselves, we awaken to the boundless beauty of the present moment.
25. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti calls for a clear, still mind, free from the interference of thoughts. In this clarity, the timeless truth is revealed, unencumbered by mental noise, an authentic state of meditation.
26. Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharishi connects truth to a subtle, serene state of mind, attainable through dedicated meditation. The bliss of the Self arises when the mind becomes steady and refined, a delicate journey of inner transformation.
27. Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda emphasizes the importance of controlling the mind’s wanderings, making the point that a disciplined mind is necessary for effective meditation. Without this control, meditation becomes an aimless endeavor.
28. Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharishi guides us to become conscious of our consciousness, to sense the stillness beyond the “I am.” This awareness is untouched by the attributes of age, wealth, or status, a timeless essence at the heart of all creation.
29. Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran likens meditation to armor, our protection against daily battles with impatience, resentment, and inadequacy. Through meditation, we equip ourselves for life’s challenges, building inner strength and resilience.
30. Paramahansa Yogananda
Mind is the creator, and Paramahansa Yogananda urges us to guide it toward goodness. By harnessing our will for constructive purposes, we become the architects of our destiny, taming the mind to become our ally.
31. Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh invites us to approach every experience with mindfulness and compassion, extending the practice of meditation to all aspects of life. This conscious awareness is the key to finding peace and joy in our daily journey.
32. Prem Chodron
Pema Chödrön teaches us that meditation is a process of lightening up, embracing our true selves, and realizing that wisdom already resides within us. We awaken by becoming more present, more alert, and more curious about our existence.
33. Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda describes Dhyana, the state of unbroken concentration, as the culmination of meditation training. Through this state, we flow towards a single point of focus, a profound practice that leads to inner transformation.
These quotes, each a masterpiece of wisdom, reveal the essence of meditation, urging us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, stillness, and renewal. Let these words inspire you to dive deep into the profound practice of meditation, where true transformation and inner peace await.