A ​Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4)

by Sarah J. Maas

“Get into a comfortable seated position—alert, but at ease.” “I don’t even know what that means.” Gwyn demonstrated, scooting until her spine touched the back cushions, feet flat on the floor, hands lightly resting on her knees. Nesta copied the position. Gwyn surveyed her, then nodded. “Now take three deep breaths, in through your nose for a count of six, out through your mouth for a count of six. After you finish the third breath, close your eyes, and keep breathing.” Nesta obeyed. Inhaling and exhaling for that long required more concentration and effort than she expected. Her breathing was too loud to her ears; each breath seemed out of sync with Gwyn’s. Had she taken two breaths, or three? Or four? “I can feel you overthinking this,” Gwyn murmured. “Close your eyes and keep breathing. Take five breaths.” Nesta did. Without anything to visually distract her, she figured her breathing would be easier to track. It wasn’t. Somehow, her mind just wanted to wander off. She told herself to focus on the count, on timing each breath and keeping a tally of how many she’d taken, and yet she found herself thinking of the couch cushions, her cooling tea, her still-damp hair— How many breaths had it been? “I think I’m losing my mind,” Nesta muttered. Gwyn shushed her. “Now let your breathing steady, and focus on the sounds around you. Acknowledge them, then let them fade away.” Nesta did. To her left, she could make out shuffling feet and whispering robes. Who was walking through t...

I've started meditating recently, and mind stilling is basically meditation. Love how much detail Sarah J. Maas has put into describing the process.