IMPACT OF TIME ON BODY & MIND
As living beings all of us on planet earth are governed by time. Every living creature is influenced by time. Some of us might say that ‘oh I don’t follow a set schedule’ or ‘I do whatever I like whenever I like’ but understand this that no matter whatever we do, time influences all of us in all aspects. Some people might not be sensitive enough to notice this influence but still the influence is always there. Based on this influence all the living organisms are considered as either nocturnal (organisms active in night) or diurnal (organism active during the day).
If we can understand this influence of time on our life we can almost master our senses, our mind & our actions and thereby we can live an optimum life. We human beings are in general diurnal by nature and so time has a particular influence on our overall behavior, our energies, our mind and our body. Based on this we have an optimum time for excretion, bathing, breakfast, lunch, activity, rest, diner, deep sleep, exercise, etc. If we do all the activities on appropriate time it will reap maximum benefits and improve our overall wellness. It is so much logical and practical, just think for yourself when will be the best time to take a nap right after you wake up after a good night sleep or after doing a very hard work throughout the day? When will be the best time to eat when you come at home after a hard work or right after you had a full meal?
Similarly meditation, kriya yoga, mantra chanting, hatha yoga, pranayama, mindfulness, breath watching and other types of sadhana also reaps maximum benefits when done on appropriate time. Understand this that all these practices have a direct impact on our mind.
Time has also a direct influence on our mind. Predominantly our Ajna Chakra dominates our consciousness and the pineal gland associated with Ajna chakra controls the flow of melatonin hormone which induces sleep, in a way it regulates our consciousness. And this is how ajna chakra is said to be the master of consciousness.
Time has a direct influence on the flow of melatonin and on our state of consciousness. Different types of sadhana affect our ajna chakra along with other chakras. So when appropriate sadhana is done at appropriate time one can achieve in seconds what is achieved in years.
All this knowledge of the impact of sadhana and timing was learnt by our ancient yogis, rishis & munis through intense tapasya and swadhaya. A lot of such knowledge is documented in our ancient texts of tantra & puran. You can experience this for yourself under a well learned guru or teacher. In my spiritual life coaching sessions, I give different types of sadhanas to do it at different times. However, if you are already doing a sadhana you can try doing it at these times and feel the difference.
12 BEST TIMES FOR MEDIATION
1) Sunrise & Sunset
Sunrise & Sunset are the time of transition of day & night and so it is good time for doing daily sadhanas. Almost all the general sadhanas can be done during sunrise or sunset. It is the most optimum & safe time to do meditation or yoga, which means doing intense sadhana at these times will not have any type of side effect but instead it will bring enormous results.
2) Brahmmuhrata
Brahmmuhrata is the time that starts just before one can see the first light at the horizon through human eye. Depending upon season & place it is mostly around 4 am – 6 am. Many of the birds get up during this time. It is the best time to get up and start your day. Sadhanas like yoga, pranayama, dharana, dhyana, samadhi, etc can take you to the heights of consciousness when done at Brahmmuhrata. This is the best time especially for spiritual seekers who are keen to know the ultimate reality, seekers whose priority is not wellness or health or peace of mind but who is only interested in realization.
3) Amavas or No Moon Night
Amavas or no moon night is the transition of a Krishna Paksha to Shukla Paksha that is it is the transition of waxing moon to waning moon, which means that there is a shift of alignment of earth, moon & sun. During this time there is an inbound flow of energy toward the moon. Specific sadhanas when done during amavas can significantly alter our samskara, which in a way means that it can alter our genetic makeup. Certain behavioural patterns & mental tendencies can be altered slowly & steadily by doing certain sadhana at these times. You may have seen certain people going to certain temples only during Amavas, they know this generationally that going to these temples bring certain benefits.
4) Poonam or Full Moon Night
Just like amavas poonam or full moon night is also a transition, but of Shukla Paksha to Krishna Paksha that is it is the transition of waning moon to waxing moon, which means that there is a shift of alignment of earth, moon & sun. During this time there is an outbound flow of energy from the moon. Doing certain types of sadhana on this day can ascertain specific skills and flair. People also go to certain temples on this day.
5) Shivratri
Shivratri is the 13th night of the waxing moon and is considered as an auspicious night for sadhakas of specific sects. This night is very important as smallest possible crescent moon is visible only during Brahmmuhrata. It is the night when beginning of the daily transition and beginning of the monthly transition happens together. That is beginning of transition of night to day and beginning of transition of waxing moon to waning moon happens almost together. Doing specific sadhana during this night can unlock the doors of different spiritual realm.
6) Maha Shivratri
Shivratri of Magha month is considered as Maha Shivratri, Magha month generally comes in Feb or March. On this night with the transition of night to day and Krishna Paksha to Shukla Paksha transition of season also happens in Indian subcontinent and so it is much more significant night then other nights. This night is highly celebrated in all over India, people intake a specific type of drink called bhang in order to raise their consciousness. Many people try to stay awake the whole night.
7) Sankrantis
Sankrantis happens 12 times a year when the sun enters into new zodiac. Sun when enters into a new zodiac the angle change initiates a significant shift of flow of energy on entire planet earth. Mostly the change of seasons happens only after the entry of the Sun into another zodiac. Meditating during this time brings us in harmony with the sun’s movement and energy shift.
8) Summer Solstice Dakshinayan
Dakshinayan begins almost from the next day of 21st June, the day of Summer Solstice (when day & night are equal). Sun on this day starts its journey toward Kark rashi (Cancer zodiac) from Makar rashi (Capricorn zodiac). This astronomical event triggers a major shift of energy that impacts earth’s environment and lives of organisms living on the planet in many different ways. Sadhana done on this day brings our body, mind and energies in sync with that shift of energy and reduces the impact of this shift in our life, thereby giving a natural boost in our so called spiritual journey.
9) Winter Solstice Uttarayana
Uttarayana begins almost from the next day of 21st December, the day of Winter Solstice (when the day & night are equal). Sun on this day starts its journey toward Makar rashi (Capricorn zodiac) from Kark rashi (Cancer zodiac). This event too triggers a consequential shift of energy but this shift is quite different from that of Dakshinayan. This shift is more of releasing stored energy, doing sadhana at this time can align our body, mind and energies with that concentrated shift of energy and can bring a lot of spiritual & mental growth with stability.
10) Lunar Eclipse
When planet earth comes in between the sun and the moon it is called as lunar eclipse. This is the most significant astronomical event as the shift of energy is very instant and intense. Sadhana done on this event can reap 1000 times more benefits. It will assist in various upcoming tasks of life. One may not be able to notice the difference but in long term it is highly beneficial.
11) Solar Eclipse
When moon comes in between the earth and the sun it is called as solar eclipse. Again this much more impactful event than lunar eclipse, as the energy from the bigger power source that is our sun shifts very quickly and intensely, doing sadhana during this time can assist generations ahead.
12) When Mind Says
All the time slots mentioned above have their own significance but the most important of all is when your mind says so. Whenever you feel from the inside to do a specific sadhana or yoga or meditation then understand that the ultimate power source that is beyond space & time wants you to do it, then you better keep everything aside physically & mentally and let the sadhana happen.
So,
sadhanas like pranayama, yogasanas, dharana, etc are daily practices and must be practiced sincerely on daily basis. But traditionally gurus would give specific sadhanas only to certain pupils to do in on certain days. The sadhanas that are to be done daily are different from those that are to be done on specific occasions. However mostly all the general mediations can be done during the above mentioned time but still one must consult the source where he or she has learnt the sadhana.
The information mentioned in this article is simply for knowledge. This knowledge has been gathered by masters over centuries. Any type of sadhana brings changes in our mind, body & energies and so it must learnt from a well learned teacher, coach or guru. Any attempt without the fundamental understanding of mind, body and energies can lead to various problems. So always study this under a learned master who has his or her own experience.
