Do you often find your mind running wild—jumping from task to task, past to future, worry to doubt? Learning how to control your mind is one of the most transformative skills you can develop. When your thoughts are scattered, it’s difficult to focus, feel at peace, or move forward with clarity. The key lies in turning inward, becoming the observer, and gently taking the reins of your mental world.
Understanding the Monkey Mind
In ancient spiritual traditions, the term monkey mind refers to a restless, overactive mind that constantly seeks stimulation. It overthinks, overreacts, and often traps you in endless loops of what-ifs and should-haves. According to Master Choa Kok Sui (the founder of Modern Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga):
“The mind is a subtle instrument of the soul.”
This means that the mind is a tool—not the master. But when we don’t know how to control our mind, it takes control of us. The good news? With awareness and consistent practice, you can retrain your mind to be focused, still, and aligned with your higher purpose.
Why You Must Learn How to Control Your Mind
“The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.”
— Robin Sharma
If left untrained, your mind can:
- Sap your energy with constant noise.
- Trigger emotional overreactions and mental fog.
- Distract you from your purpose and goals.
When you learn how to control your mind, you reclaim your ability to:
- Stay calm amidst chaos.
- Focus on what truly matters.
- Respond to situations consciously, rather than reacting impulsively.
How to Control Your Mind: 5 Powerful Practices
1. Practice Present-Moment Awareness
Mindfulness is one of the most effective ways to calm mental chaos. Whether it’s watching your breath, feeling your steps as you walk, or truly tasting your food, mindfulness helps you anchor your attention.
2. Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions
Step back and notice your thoughts without judgment. This detachment helps you see your mind as a flowing stream, not something you have to dive into every time.
3. Reduce Mental Clutter
Take digital detox breaks. Cut down on notifications. Clear your physical space to help declutter your mental one.
4. Reflect Through Journaling
Writing down your thoughts at the end of the day helps you process emotions and understand recurring patterns.
5. Pause and Respond
Before reacting emotionally, take a deep breath. The ability to pause is a sign that you’re gaining control. For deeper insights on conscious response, read: Self-Awareness and Personal Growth – The Missing Link in Your Reactions
The First Step to Inner Peace and Focus
You don’t have to silence your mind completely—but learning how to control your mind empowers you to guide it gently, like a friend, rather than fight it like a foe. It’s the foundation for self-mastery, emotional balance, and spiritual clarity.
In the blog, “Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions – The Path to Clarity and Calm“, we dive deeper into observing your thoughts and emotions—a key technique that brings calm, clarity, and control.
Six months ago, on a chilly January morning, Aarav sat by his window with a cup of chai and a head full of plans. He scribbled resolutions on a fresh page — new habits, bold goals, dreams that made his heart race. But life, as it does, brought surprises along the way — unexpected wins, a few stumbles, and lessons he hadn’t planned for. Now, as July’s breeze drifts in, Aarav pauses for a moment that most people forget: a mid-year review. It’s his chance to dust off that notebook, look back at the journey so far, and ask: Where am I? What have I learned? And how do I want to shape the rest of this year?
If you’re reading this, consider this your gentle reminder: It’s time for your Mid-Year Review.
Do you feel ready for it? Dive in…
Step 1: Sit Down with Yourself
- Find a quiet, comfortable space.
- Turn off your phone. No pings. No distractions.
- Grab a pen and paper (or get a print of our free downloadable guide) — yes, old-school. Something magical happens when you write.
Step 2: Reflect on Your 2025 Goals
- What were the goals you set at the start of this year?
- Write them down. All of them.
Don’t rush this.
Now, for each goal, ask yourself:
- How much have I achieved? Quantitatively (numbers) and qualitatively (inner growth)?
- Did I celebrate my progress?
- What didn’t go as planned — and why?
Let’s break this down across the 4 major areas of life:
Health Goals
- Did you stick to your fitness routine or wellness practices?
- Are you feeling more energetic, calm, or centered?
- Have you been sleeping well, eating mindfully, and listening to your body?
Celebrate the improvements — even the small ones.
✍ If you fell off track, ask: Was it lack of time, energy, or motivation? What can change?
Wealth Goals
- How’s your saving/investment plan going?
- Did you earn what you expected in H1?
- Are you managing money wisely or letting stress/patterns dictate your choices?
Acknowledge the wins.
✍ If goals are lagging, be honest. What habits need to shift? Are you focusing on the 80/20?
Relationship Goals
- Did you spend quality time with people who matter?
- Have you been present, forgiving, and open in your relationships?
- Did you create time for bonding, appreciation, and emotional connection?
Relationships are not just about others — they start with you.
✍ Where do you feel drained? What needs healing? What needs more time and love?
Spiritual Goals
- Did you stick to your spiritual practices — be it meditation, prayer, reflection, or service?
- Do you feel more connected to yourself or Source?
- Has your inner chatter reduced, and clarity increased?
Acknowledge how far you’ve come — even if it’s just showing up.
✍ If the practice has slipped, gently return. Realignment is just one breath away.
Step 3: What Were the Key Misses & Learnings?
Be radically honest, not harsh.
Failures and gaps are great teachers.
Ask:
- What caused the miss — lack of clarity, time, discipline, fear?
- What did you learn about yourself?
- What patterns are repeating?
Awareness is the first win. Change follows.
Step 4: Reset with Focus and Intention
Some goals may now feel irrelevant. Some may feel even more urgent.
That’s okay.
Here’s how to reset:
- Apply the 80/20 Rule: What 20% of actions will bring 80% of impact?
- Stay disciplined — remember that self-discipline is the highest form of self-love (blog link)
- Don’t give in to moods — stay on course even when motivation dips. (blog link)
Step 5: Buckle Up and Get It Done
Stretch yourself — not to burnout, but to expansion.
You have six more months to:
- Sharpen your vision
- Strengthen your habits
- Show up for yourself like never before
Closing Thoughts
A Mid-Year Review is not a performance audit.
A mid-year review is a moment of self-connection. A quiet conversation with your inner compass.
So breathe. Be kind to yourself. And recommit — not to perfection, but to progress.
Because you are not behind.
You are just one mindful review away from a stronger, brighter, and more aligned second half of 2025.
Want to make this easier?
Download the Mid-Year Reflection Sheet
Revisit your goals every Sunday – 10 minutes is all it takes
Try Twin Hearts Meditation weekly to stay centered and clear
Use this blog as your gentle guide. Share it with someone who needs a reset.
And remember: You’ve still got time. Now let’s make it count.
A long time ago, people believed the earth was flat.
They believed it not because they had seen its edges, but because everyone around them said so. There was no questioning, no curiosity, just blind acceptance. Today, we know better—but sometimes, don’t we still fall into that same trap? We follow trends, opinions, or even beliefs, simply because everyone else does.
In one of his most powerful teachings, Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, the founder of modern Pranic Healing, reminds us through the Golden Lotus Sutras:
“Accept something only when you have validated it for yourself.”
This wisdom forms the foundation of what it truly means to think for yourself.
Think for Yourself: The Gateway to Clarity and Confidence
We live in a time where we can read, write, access knowledge, and discuss ideas openly. That’s a big deal. Thousands of years ago, people often had to follow what they were told—simply because they had no other way to know better. But you and I? We’re lucky. We have the tools to question, to explore, and to reflect.
Master Choa teaches that we should not accept things blindly. We must reflect, validate, and understand what we believe in—not just repeat what others say.
So, the next time someone tells you something—whether it’s a trending opinion, a workplace norm, or even a spiritual idea—pause and ask:
- Does this feel true for me?
- Have I understood it clearly?
- Have I experienced it myself?
This practice helps you think for yourself, rather than following the crowd.
From Confusion to Clarity: Why Thinking for Yourself Matters
When you start questioning and thinking deeply, something beautiful happens. You become more mindful of your choices, your words, and your actions. Your decisions come from inner clarity—not outer pressure.
And slowly, you begin to feel grounded. You’re no longer shaken by every opinion on social media or every changing trend at work. Instead, you stay true to your values, because you’ve thought it through.
Master Choa Kok Sui reminds us that it’s okay to not have immediate answers. You can take 10 or 20 years to reach a conclusion. There’s no rush. In fact, this freedom to reflect deeply is what makes your understanding more powerful—and more yours.
Stand Like the Sea: Calm, Strong, and True
When you think for yourself, you start aligning your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. You’re no longer just reacting—you’re choosing. And that brings inner confidence.
You become like the sea—calm, steady, yet immensely powerful.
So journal your thoughts. Ask deep questions. Take your time. And when you accept a truth, let it be one you’ve tested, experienced, and understood.
In a world full of noise, choose to be the one who thinks.
Meditation is widely celebrated for reducing stress, improving emotional health, and enhancing overall wellbeing. Yet, it’s important to recognize that the side effects of meditation are real and deserve attention. Just as physical detoxes can cause temporary discomfort before healing, meditation can bring suppressed emotions and psychological issues to the surface. This phenomenon has been documented in scientific studies, and it highlights the need for proper preparation before deep meditation.
In his profound book “Beyond the Mind: The Golden Lotus Sutras on Meditation,” Master Choa Kok Sui wrote:
“People in general are psychologically constipated. Before you do meditation, you must do cleansing to minimise psychological catharsis.”
This insight aligns with modern psychological research revealing that meditation can sometimes provoke negative experiences, especially without proper guidance or preparation.
What Are the Side Effects of Meditation?
For many beginners and even some seasoned meditators, it can be surprising to face the darker side of inner stillness. A 2017 review published in PLOS ONE by Lindahl and colleagues explored a range of meditation-related challenges among Western practitioners. The study found that meditation can sometimes trigger difficult emotional and psychological experiences such as:
- Surfacing of painful or unresolved emotions
- Heightened anxiety or restlessness
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Emotional outbursts or mood swings
- Feelings of confusion or disorientation
These reactions, often referred to as “meditation-related difficulties” or “adverse effects,” do not mean the practice is inherently harmful. Rather, they suggest that meditation can bring subconscious material to the surface—and this emotional “detox” requires thoughtful preparation and support.
For beginners and those seeking a gentle yet powerful approach, Meditation on Twin Hearts is highly recommended. This guided meditation opens the heart and crown chakras, cleansing negative energy and promoting loving-kindness, which helps stabilize emotions during practice.
The Importance of Cleansing Before Meditation
Master Choa Kok Sui emphasized that energetic hygiene is as important as physical hygiene. For advanced spiritual practitioners, cleansing the emotional and mental bodies before meditation minimizes intense psychological catharsis, creating a safer and more balanced experience.
Some effective cleansing methods include:
- Physical exercises: There are certain simple exercises that help open up your meridians and joints, to enable free movement of energy.
- Pranic Psychotherapy: A technique within Pranic Healing shown to help release deep-seated emotional blockages.
- Self-Healing: Regular self-applied pranic healing balances the aura and chakras, fostering emotional stability.
- Salt Baths: Used to cleanse the energy body and reduce anxiety
- Forgiveness Practice: Scientifically linked to better emotional health and less stress (Toussaint et al., 2015).
- Breathing Techniques: Breathing techniques are shown to calm the nervous system and regulate emotions.
- Arhatic Yoga Purification Rituals: These comprehensive spiritual practices include physical exercises and energetic cleansing, minimizing inner turbulence during meditation. Read about Arhatic Yoga here)
- Chanting: Chanting “Om” or “Amen” also has a purifying effect and can be practised before meditating.
Think of these as preparing the mind and spirit, like sweeping the floor before a prayer.
The Path Forward: Cleansing + Meditation
Meditation is a doorway to inner peace and self-awareness—but only if the path is cleared. Skipping cleansing is like diving into deep waters without a life jacket.
If you’ve experienced anxiety or confusion after meditation, you’re not alone. These experiences indicate you are ready to release old baggage, but gradual and supported letting go is essential.
Before your next meditation session, pause and cleanse your inner space. The meditation experience post cleansing is totally worth it.
References:
- Lindahl, J. R., et al. (2017). The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PLOS ONE.
- Toussaint, L., et al. (2015). Forgiveness and health: A review of evidence and implications for practice. Springer.
Have you ever felt like your brain just won’t stop buzzing? Notifications, noise, endless scrolling—it’s as if we’re constantly under a sensory storm. In an earlier blog, we wrote about how fasting helps us physically and spiritually (read here). But today, let’s explore a different kind of fasting—fasting for mental clarity. This isn’t just about skipping food. It’s about creating space to think, feel, and just be.
Why Mental Clarity Feels So Hard Today
We often get bored or lose focus because we’re overwhelmed by constant sensory input. Every moment is filled with colors, tastes, notifications, music, and distractions. The more we consume, the more we crave. The moment we stop, our mind screams for the next hit of stimulation.
But if we truly want to go within, our minds need stillness. And to get there, we need to fast—not just from food, but from the noise and overindulgence of our senses.
Fasting for Mental Clarity Begins with the Senses
Fasting for mental clarity means stepping back from anything that overwhelms your system. Begin small. Try making your meals less exciting—not as a punishment, but as a way to reset your senses.
Eat something plain. Skip the screens while you eat. Let your meal be what it’s supposed to be—fuel for the body, not entertainment for the mind.
When your meal is no longer a thrill, your mind begins to settle. You start finding joy not in what’s outside—but in the stillness inside.
Digital Detox: Give Your Mind Room to Breathe
Another powerful form of fasting is a digital detox. Put your phone down. Log out of social media. Turn off the constant stream of content—even for just an hour or two a day.
The silence may feel awkward at first. That’s okay. It’s in that quiet that your nervous system starts to relax. You’ll begin to hear your own thoughts again—and feel what’s really going on inside you.
Sit in Solitude and Let Your Mind Clear
Try this simple practice: Sit alone in a quiet room, or step outside and sit under a tree or by a window. Don’t do anything. Don’t scroll. Don’t reach for your phone. Just sit.
At first, it might feel uncomfortable. You may notice difficult or painful thoughts surfacing. Let them come. Let them pass. It’s precisely these emotions and thoughts that need to be released. You’re making space for your inner self to heal.
In this practice of solitude, you’ll discover that you don’t always need to “do” something to feel okay. Being with yourself—without judgment or distraction—is deeply freeing.
Benefits You’ll Begin to Notice
As you start these small mental fasts—through simpler meals, digital detoxes, and quiet time—you may notice:
- Emotional clarity – You begin to understand what you’re feeling instead of numbing it.
- Stronger focus – With fewer distractions, your attention sharpens.
- Less anxiety – The mind calms down when it’s not constantly reacting to outside noise.
- More joy in small things – A simple breath, a soft breeze, or a warm cup of tea starts feeling magical.
From Spiritual Roots to Daily Peace
Fasting is found in many spiritual paths—not just for physical cleansing, but for emotional and mental purification. It teaches:
- Self-mastery – You learn to rise above cravings and impulses.
- Inner strength – You see how capable and complete you are without needing constant pleasure.
- Connection to your soul – As distractions fall away, your inner light shines brighter.
This is not about denying life’s pleasures. It’s about discovering that real peace lives within.
Begin with Gentle Steps
You don’t need to go off the grid. Just try these:
- Eat one simple meal daily—without phone, music, or distractions.
- Take 30–60 minutes of screen-free time each day.
- Sit alone in a room or outdoors—in silence, even for 10 minutes.
- Notice and breathe through your cravings instead of reacting to them.
- Be kind to yourself—you’re doing this to love your body and mind, not to punish them.
Final Thought: Clarity is Found in the Quiet
Fasting for mental clarity isn’t about doing more. It’s about allowing more space—so your thoughts can settle, your emotions can soften, and your soul can speak.
So, the next time your world feels too loud or too much, pause. Step back. Fast a little—not just from food, but from noise, distraction, and overconsumption.
In that space, you’ll find something priceless: clarity, peace, and the joy of simply being.
