Throughout the centuries of human existence, the benefits of meditation have been proclaimed as one of the most essential tools for human development. Not only as a means to calm the racing mind and bring down the blood pressure, but, for those with a true passion for the absolute, as a method to reach enlightenment. Though this has been the understood proclamation, how many people truly meditate? Do you?
 
In the Hindu tradition, for example, it is taught that one should be awoken at Brahmamurta, which is about 4:00AM, each day. Then, get up, perhaps wash your face, and go and sit. Maybe you do some calming pranayama exercises, and then fade into meditation. I know when I was in India, at the ashram, that is what we did.
 
I always found meditation a bit hard to accomplish when it is performed in this manner, however. I mean, one, you are awoken so early in the morning. Two, as it is so early in the morning, your mind has the tendency to want to go back to sleep. I was pretty good at staying awake. But, I would notice people sleeping all around me in the meditation hall.
 
Even before that point in my life, as a young, teenage zealot, I used to set my alarm for 4:30 AM to be awoken and go into meditation. Though, this didn’t last too long, as, again, it was very early, and when you are alone, and the only one meditating, it can of cause your mind to question what you are doing and why.
 
In the more modern forms of mediation, commonly at the end of a class on hatha yoga, or even at the end of class at the martial art studio, students are guided to sit down, close their eyes, and meditate. Though this, of course, is a good and understood practice, and the timing for it seems ideal. But, at the end of any class so much is obviously going through your mind, especially after something like a martial art class, true meditation is hard to achieve; especially since it is only performed for such a short period of time.
 
Thus, we are left with a dilemma, when is the best time to meditate? Now, first all, as all of you who know me, or know of me, understand, I am a proponent of the fact that we must make all of life activities into a meditation. For that is where true satori may be found. This being said, if one does not develop the ability to consciously, and at will, turn off their thinking mind, then they will forever be guided by those racing thoughts which can lead to not only bad decisions but to a life defined by the random chaos of emotion and desire.
 
To truly learn how to meditate, one must first master the concept of turning off the mind. I know from the dawn of time many people complain that, at best, they can only do this for a few seconds. But, that is where practice and meditative training comes into play. The reason most people do not possess the ability to truly meditate is because they do not train their mind in the methods of meditation. Maybe they do it for a moment or two here or there. Maybe they try it at the end of that hatha yoga class. But, what they do not do is to make it a part of their lifestyle. If they do make it a part of their lifestyle, if they do, do it every day, then the understanding of how to actually meditate will find its way into your being. But, you have to try! And, you have to try for a long time.
 
So, this brings us back to the question of when is the best time to meditate? From my perspective, this is an individual choice. Sure, as has been proclaimed forever, meditation may best be accomplished if you do it at the same time, in the same quiet space, every day. But, as all of us who live in this modern world understand, that may not always be doable. Thus, you should not let that be the only defining factor. If you can do it every day, at the same time, in the same space, great. If not, that does not mean that you should meditate every day. Or, at least, at every chance you get.
 
The main thing you’ve got to do is to make meditation a part of your life. Every day, promise yourself you will sit and do it. You will take a few minutes, or longer, everyday; whether this be in the morning, midday, or at night before you go to bed, and turn off your mind.
 
The benefits of its practice have all already been discussed forever. So, I won’t bother you with them here. What I will say is that, if you train your mind to be silent, you will have advanced your consciousness to a level that is known by only a few. You will have gained a vast new insight into our ability to hold your racing mind and your emotions at bay. Then, when you need to consciously silence your mind, you will possess the ability to do so.