How Do You Empty Your Mind? (By Doing, Not By Thinking)
Date: May 12th, 2025
Meditating is a great way to empty your mind. But if you are wondering about “how do I actually empty my mind during meditation”, that is a deeper question.
As far as I know/experienced, the most important factor in emptying your mind is concentration. The idea is to concentrate only on one thing, so much so that everything else falls away. Then, you are only left with one thing in your mind, which is easier to discard, and reach emptiness.
The 3 techniques that have stood out the most to me are:
- Singularly focusing on my breath
- Listening to a particular sound/voice
- Chanting a specific mantra over and over again
Singularly Focusing on Your Breath
What it does:
Focusing on the breath gives the mind a simple, rhythmic anchor in the present moment. It's always available, and it doesn’t require thought to observe.
How it empties the mind:
Your brain can’t fully focus on two things at once. When you consciously place all your attention on the sensation of breathing—in through the nose, out through the mouth or nose—it crowds out internal chatter. Over time, thoughts slow down because they’re not being fed by your attention.
Technique:
The technique is no-technique. Just observe your breath—without controlling it.
Listening to a Particular Sound or Voice
What it does:
Whether it’s the hum of a fan, a guided meditation voice, or ocean waves, sound creates a sensory field to rest your awareness in. It's immersive and can draw you out of your head.
How it empties the mind:
Sound gives your brain something passive to receive rather than generate. Instead of thinking, you’re just hearing. Especially with repetitive or calming sounds, your nervous system begins to regulate, and the mind naturally quiets as it entrains to the rhythm of what it hears.
Technique:
Again, the technique is no-technique. Just listen.
Chanting a Specific Mantra Over and Over Again
What it does:
Mantra repetition (aloud or silently) occupies the mind with a single, soothing pattern. The word or phrase itself often has calming or centering qualities (“Om,” “Peace,” “So Hum,” etc.).
How it empties the mind:
The repetition acts like a soft override on internal dialogue. Much like a lullaby soothes a restless child, a mantra lulls the busy mind. Because it's rhythmic and cyclical, the mind begins to quiet simply because it’s no longer trying to think—it’s just repeating.
Technique:
No technique here either. Just chant. Again, and again, and again.
Common Thread
Each method gives the mind one thing to focus on, instead of many. Over time, that singular focus becomes like a “mute button” on your mental noise—not by force, but by redirecting your energy.
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Chimey Meditation Timer