I have always found that I meditate better in the morning. I am one of those strange freaks of nature who wakes up at 5:00 a.m. (or earlier) and is wide awake and, even worse, perfectly perky even before the first sip of coffee touches my lips. Sick, I know. Of course, the other side of this coin is that I get tired early. And I mean early. I can actually go to bed before 9:00.
The result of all this is that I prefer to mediate in the morning. My mind is fresh. I find it easier to focus. And, it is also when I need to relax as I tend to plan my day as soon as I hear the first tones of my alarm. Afternoon or evening meditation for me is a struggle as I am more sluggish and unfocused. I have rarely deviated from meditation in the morning. Today was one of those deviations.
Today, I practiced a series of mini-meditations as I explored the city around me. Moments of mindfulness were found in the gardens, in the art museum (where they even had portable meditation benches), and in Vulcan park overlooking the city. I found it easy to slip into the right state of mind quickly, although I did not sustain it for long.
I returned to my hotel room after a day’s adventures. I was tired, fatigued, questioning if I could summon the energy to enjoy an evening out. I decided to meditate for 20 minutes, thinking that would be the end of my evening. Unexpectedly, it left me feeling refreshed and energized and ready for more. Maybe meditation is not just for morning after all.
Related articles
- Taming the Monkey Mind: a 28 Day Meditation Challenge (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 1 & 2 (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
Henry David Thoreau wrote (paraphrased not quoted) ‘Morning is a heroic time when all things begin anew’; this I believe.
I agree completely. I love the feeling of freshness and possibility in the morning.