Samatha (PÄli), (Sanskrit: शमथ, Å›amatha) is the Buddhist practice (bhÄvanÄ à¤à¤¾à¤µà¤¨) of calming the mind (citta चितà¥à¤¤) and its 'formations' (saá¹…khÄra समà¥à¤¸à¥à¤•ार). This is done by practicing single-pointed meditation most commonly through mindfulness of breathing. Samatha is common to many Buddhist traditions.