Quiet the Mind

“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak." — Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? It’s a winding, maze-like path, often outlined with rocks or stones, with a single entry and exit point. Labyrinths are designed as meditative spaces—opportunities to reflect, to get quiet, and to listen. Before my women’s retreat at Joyful Journey Hot Springs in early September, I’d never walked one. But I’m no stranger to the power of reflection and meditation in my life, so I was excited to try it.

The air was crisp that morning. I waited patiently for a man and his dog to finish their walk through the rocks before I stepped up to the labyrinth’s entrance. My intention was simple: to quiet my mind and be open to whatever my soul wanted to tell me. Slowly, I began to walk, following the twists and curves of the path. My mind wandered as I soaked in the stillness of the early morning. I let my thoughts drift, almost on autopilot, while cherishing the rare silence.

A friend of mine had walked the labyrinth the day before and warned me that it took her ages to reach the center. So, I was surprised when, in what felt like only a few minutes, I found myself standing in the heart of it.

I paused there, reflecting on how essential it’s been for me to slow down in the past year of major life transitions. Since embarking on new career and personal adventures, I’ve had many people ask me how they could make similar changes, or if they should. The most common question I hear is, “I want to do something else, but I’m not sure where to start.” My answer is always the same: Quiet your mind, and your soul will speak.

So many of us are overwhelmed, juggling all the things, without much time for quiet or self-reflection. I always encourage those who struggle to start with a simple walk—just 10 minutes a day—and to pay attention to the thoughts that surface. Write them down. If you’re longing for change or a new direction, it doesn’t happen overnight. The wisdom and guidance we seek emerge when we allow our heart and intuition the space to speak. And that’s hard to do when the noise of to-do lists, deadlines, and the demands of life is constant.

We often treat a walk in nature or a quiet moment of exercise as a luxury, but I believe it’s a necessity if we want to show up fully in our lives. My daily morning walks are where my best ideas take shape. The hour or two after those walks is always my most productive time of the day.

So, when I finally exited the labyrinth that September morning, a familiar peace washed over me. I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I do know this: I have a simple roadmap. Quiet my mind, and let my soul speak.

If you’re seeking clarity, start there. Deep down, there’s a part of you that already knows what you need—the key is giving it the space to be heard.

How can you quiet your mind so your soul can speak this week? Share in the comments or hit reply.

For the world needs who you were made to be.