Many meditation teachers will tell you that the ideal time to meditate is first thing in the morning as soon as you wake up. This is so for all styles of meditation from chanting, prayer, singing bowls, mindfulness, walking etc.
However, mindfulness meditation is subtle in the sense that it is about paying attention to what is–it is a direct form of realization. The object or focus of attention for meditation in mindfulness is the sense of ‘self’ (notice, ‘sense’ of self, since the idea of self is an illusion). But, we cannot realize that unless we refine our attention and our mindful–i.e., fully aware or awake. This is not a terribly easy task, since the idea of self i.e., the illusion has been there for a long time, through generations and it is re-enforced by the world around us.
Mindfulness is the original practice taught by Buddha, and the single most powerful method for mastering suffering. This is the hard part, because the mind is busy and obsessed with the self, therefore a beginner can benefit from imagination and visualization work until such a point that the mind is used to switching from the daily strife to a meditative state. It can take a few years of sustained practice for people with chronic stress patterns in the brain to arrive at the point where they can meditate on thoughts (i.e., mindfulness) without getting taken away by thoughts.
It can be hard to sustain because sometimes the pain body is in greater pain. We have to be patient and kind in the journey. There is no rush, no space, no time, it is only about being Present and Here–to what is happening in the moment–no matter how unpleasant it is.
There are certain times in the day when the mind is more accessible to the more subtle levels. The morning is one of them.
There are 11 reasons to practice meditation in the morning:
1. Complete Processing. During the night, the brain is processing the experiences and emotions of the prior 24 hours. Any new insights, thoughts or energy sits in the brain until processed. If your mind is unable to process all of it, meditation helps to clear the mind and process the extra stuff that you brain couldn’t do on its own in the morning. The brain develops synapse patterns that repeat the same emotions like a stuck record because of trauma or exposure to ideas that are very invasive (cinema for example) and thus perception of reality is affected by the state of the brain. Meditation in the morning helps clear the mind of the work your brain did at night to process the stress of the previous day.
2. Morning is easy to remember. Wake up, get up, go to the washroom, drink some water and sit. This becomes a habit that serves you through out your life.
3. More Oxygen. There is more oxygen in the morning and if you go outside to meditate this can help a lot. That means you can breathe in fresh air, further helping your brain. Preferably meditate near an open window or outside if the weather allows.
4. Silence. Even though we should aim for inner peace at all times, the morning silence is helpful for going within. The chances of phones ringing and people interrupting your solitude are far less.
5. Stay Connected. Instead of waking up thinking of the day’s issues, meditating first thing means that you set the intention and habit to remain connected with your innermost self. It creates emotional independence and calm that is within you, available to you no matter what else is going on.
6. Celebration of Life is An Attitude, Not A Destination. The idea that you are worthy of acknowledgement and recognition, regardless of anything else happening in your life, is the single most empowering thing you can do for yourself.
7. Positive emotional state. Meditating in the morning makes you appreciate all the moments that are to follow and honour the experience of being alive. Positive emotion sets the tone for the rest of the day.
8. Intuition. We are more intuitively connected in the morning than any other time. Intuition is the secret for flowing with life, rather than resisting and getting stuck in the past.
9. Inhabiting Your Body. Meditation in the morning, prior to meeting other people, helps you to inhabit your body. Many people slip their attention out of their body as a matter of safety. Meditation helps people to feel safe in their body and stay more open hearted.
10. Self-Love and Self-Worth. Meditating first thing means that you value and take care of yourself. By practicing self-love and self-worth in this way, you shift your own relationship with yourself. People treat you the way you treat yourself.
11. Setting Priorities. Meditating first thing means that your priorities for the day are crystal clear. Being crystal clear about your priorities means moving decisively towards your goals. If you want to do more towards your spiritual goals–helping people, healing or advancing your soul, clear priorities means doubling your impact.
Saima
