Vipassana meditation 3: Calming the mind

A detailed motif at the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai, India.

A detailed motif at the Global Vipassana Pagoda meditation hall in Mumbai. Source: Moment RF / Pardeep Singh Gill/Getty Images

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Vipassana requires mindful awareness - observing your body, breath, feelings, thoughts and emotions. In this Vipassana meditation, teacher Shanti Gowans has you focus on calming the mind. Let your mind accept whatever catches your attention without becoming emotionally involved with it, and tune into the greater whole.

Melt your troubles away in the swirling expanse of the Earth’s waters.
Shanti Gowans

Shanti Gowans is the CEO of

Health Institute Australasia

and author of several books on meditation, yoga, ayurveda and more. 'Shanti' is a Sanskrit word that means peace, and Shanti has been involved in sharing peace and wellbeing through yoga and meditation for decades. She guides three meditations in this series - on body, breath and mind.

Great Minds is a podcast from SBS Audio that guides you through different meditation styles from around the world.

In season two, experience meditations led by practitioners of Ngurramurrah, Mettā, Vipassana, Tibetan Tonglen, and these sound bath meditations. Try three short episodes in each style.

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or wherever you get your podcasts.