Meditation. Doctors are suggesting it to patients to relieve everything from stress to back pain. The image of someone sitting in lotus pose meditating is what many people think of when hearing about yoga, and indeed meditation is a key part of many schools of yoga. Meditation has numerous physical and spiritual benefits, and is high on the list of things many yogis feel they “should” be doing. But when you're just starting out, it's not always easy to know where to start. Do you sit and breathe a certain way? How long should you meditate for? And when is a good time? There are lots of different techniques and styles of meditation, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, there is a bit more consensus in the yoga world about what times of day are good for meditation.
Amrit Vela – The “ambrosial hours” fall about two and a half hours before sunrise, and are considered the prime time for meditation practice. There are some practical and spiritual reasons to get up before the sun to perform spiritual practice. Practically speaking, it's really quiet! Your spouse, your children, your pets – all happily asleep. There are almost no vehicles on the road, so you don't have to hear engines starting up or car doors slamming. And spiritually, that physical quiet has a profound effect on us. In Ayurvedic terms, the ambrosial hours are thought to be sattvic, meaning they are balanced and harmonious rather than active or inert. It's also said that there is a higher concentration of pranic energy during this time, making it a powerful opportunity to strengthen and cleanse our non-physical bodies. Additionally, the rays of the rising sun are thought to have a meditation enhancing quality. It's no surprise that religious traditions around the world recommend rising early to spend time in prayer or meditation, as the early morning hours are very powerful.
Evenings – Similar to mornings, there is something calming and soothing about the hours near sunset. Perhaps it has to do with the rays of the sun as it sets, as this transitional time between the light of day and the darkness of night is another good time to spend in meditation. Making time for meditation after you arrive home from work is a great way to wind down from the stress of the day, and process any lingering issues you may have had. With evening meditation, one should be careful not to put it off until you are very tired. Meditating too close to bed time means you could fall asleep rather than meditate!
Moments of mindfulness – Sometimes it's hard to find the time for a structured, formal meditation practice. While the “ideal” would be to set aside a fixed time each day for meditation, you can also build small moments of meditation or mindfulness into your day. When your phone rings or someone sends you a text message, rather than immediately checking the phone you can pause and take a breath. When you wash your hands, you have the opportunity to enjoy the feel of the water on your skin. When you sit down to eat a meal, you can pause before starting to enjoy the smell of your dinner and the colors on your plate. Building a few moments of mindfulness into your day, at times that are both meaningful and memorable, can help to recharge your energy and plant seeds for a larger meditation practice in the future.
Whether you wake up at 4am for sadhana, sit down for meditation after getting the kids to sleep, or choose to grab a few moments of mindfulness throughout your day, the most important thing is to just meditate. If you can't wake up for an early morning practice, don't let that deter you. If you forget meditate one evening, start again tomorrow. Meditation can't do its work on us if we don't do the work of meditating. So whenever and however you choose to practice, keep up!
If you want to wake up for sadhana, there are some wonderful albums available with the Aquarian mantras used in Kundalini practice.
"Aquarian" by Nirinjan Kaur
"Crimson Sadhana" by Gurunam Singh
If you aren't used to sitting in meditation for extended periods of time, a meditation cushion can make your practice more comfortable.
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[...] June 30, 2011 The Best Time To Meditate (via Spirit Voyage) Posted by holisticmexico under Yoga | Tags: holistic living, holistic Mexico, meditation, meditation Mexico, spirit voyage, when to meditate, yoga, yoga advice, yoga in Mexico, yoga stories | Leave a Comment Meditation. Doctors are suggesting it to patients to relieve everything from stress to back pain. The image of someone sitting in lotus pose meditating is what many people think of when hearing about yoga, and indeed meditation is a key part of many schools of yoga. Meditation has numerous physical and spiritual benefits, and is high on the list of things many yogis feel they “should” be doing. But when you’re just starting out, it’s not always easy to know where to start. Do you sit and breathe a certain way? How long should you meditate for? And when is a good time? There are lots of different techniques and styles of meditation, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, there is a bit more consensus in the yoga world about what times of day are good for meditation. … Read More [...]