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Welcome to the Eastwesticism podcast where our host Todd Perelmuter shares the lessons he's learned spending eight years living with gurus, monks, lamas, and shamans across 35 countries and five continents. Join in the journey as he brings the best scientifically proven methods for living your best life, from the east in the West, straight to you. The path to peace, love, health, and happiness starts here.

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 Welcome, welcome. Welcome to path to peace with Todd Perelmuter. I'm your host, Todd Perelmuter. And today a common question I always get when is the best time to meditate? It's an interesting question. And many people have different opinions on the matter. And I will talk about a little bit about what different people think about it, and what the science kind of says behind it, and give you my opinion, based on my personal experience. 

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So most people approach this question from the angle of my guru told me you do it at this time, or this is the time you should do it. Because this is the time it's always been done, you know, very steeped in tradition. 

1:20  
And most of these people will tell you 4am is the best time or between three to 5am. They'll tell you things like there's a veil that is lifted between the physical and spiritual world at this time. 

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Or they'll tell you that most of the creatures in humans are sleeping and the energy is less disturbed at this time. And so it's more peaceful time, some people will tell you that one minute of meditation during this time is equal to two or 10 minutes of meditation at different times. And these are the kind of belief system answers.

2:12  
And there is not any evidence obviously, that a veil is lifted between the material and spiritual worlds. But there is some benefit to waking up at this time and getting your meditation done. Some people like to meditate for a very long time. 

2:34  
And for people who like to meditate for two hours, sometimes waking up at 4am is the only time they could fit it in. Some people are morning people and they like getting an early start on their day.

2:50  
Without a doubt, meditating at this time, instills a sense of discipline and routine that cannot be broken. And for these reasons, this is a phenomenal time to meditate.

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However, some people's schedules require them to be up late.

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Maybe they have kids that don't go to bed early enough where they can get to bed early enough to wake up that early. Some people need more sleep than others. And so this should not be a time that people think is the only time to meditate. If it works for you, if it makes you more disciplined and if it makes you get a early jumpstart on your day, and you just feel ready to take on the day after your morning meditation. 

3:40  
And you can get so much more done than by all means meditate. If you are a person who needs to go to bed later, who needs to wake up later needs a little more sleep isn't a morning person. And this is just a deal breaker. No problemo, you do not have to meditate at 4am I've done it. I'm not a morning person. I don't do it anymore. I tried it out. Not for me.

4:08  
More power to you. If you're that kind of guy. Everyone has a bit of a different circadian rhythm, different sleep schedule, different sleep needs. And that's a beautiful natural part of life.

4:21  
Now, the next time of the day, though, I do find to be the best time of day and that time is when you first wake up in the morning. When you first wake up in the morning, before you check your phone before you do anything. 

4:40  
If you meditate and make that a part of your habit. Then you are creating an unbreakable habit because every day you will wake up. But also as the day goes on, unexpected things come up. You're required to do things you didn't know about and it can be very difficult to create a consistent habit. 

5:04  
And that consistent habit is what this is all about. Meditation only works, if you can really create a consistent habit that sticks. And so, first thing in the morning for many people, tends to be the best time before interruptions come up before the family needs you. And you just tell your family Hey, first thing in the morning, I'm meditating, they will understand they will not disturb you, even your young kids will understand and think is really cool.

5:38  
Some people, you know, they say, you know, when I wake up, I've got this to do this to this to do this to the beauty of a morning meditation is that it is restful and relaxing, and re energizing. And it's almost more energizing than sleep. So if you are not able to fit it in your schedule at all throughout the day, if you set your alarm clock 30 or 20 minutes, or 10 minutes early, and you make those first 1020 30 minutes to meditate, you will have more energy throughout the day, guaranteed. I personal hand experience, I say for sure this is definitely the way it goes, you'll be more focused, you'll be more attentive, you'll be more aware, you'll be happier.

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Everything about your day, you'll just when you do a morning meditation, you get the day going right and everything that follows your meditation, just you know if it's if it's something that you would normally consider bad, it just bounces off your shoulder doesn't even doesn't even stick.

6:49  
So morning meditation, great for so many reasons, perfect start to the day, gets your day off on the right track. And really nothing can get in the way of of your schedule at that time.

7:04  
I also highly recommend an early or late evening meditation. Again, this is about your schedule. This is about what works with your life. But if you can work in a meditation before dinner, then you're really setting your evening up for success. 

7:21  
And you're just making that good times extend throughout the day and into a solid night's sleep. Now, not everybody is able to fit in a meditation before dinner, some people cook dinner and it's elaborate and you know, they get off work, they get home, they start cooking dinner, and there is no problem. If you do it later in the evening, you know, they say not on a full stomach. 

7:45  
And that is definitely helpful because you don't want to be you know overstuffed over digesting while you're trying to bring your attention to your breath or a mantra or your body.

8:00  
However, anytime in the evening is great. Twice a day is the best, once a day is very good. Meditation is like working out a little is better than none more is better than less. And there is no wrong time to meditate. That's the real truth. There is no wrong time. Whatever your schedule allows. 

8:23  
Whatever you do, that's the best amount you do. Whenever you do it. That's the best time to do it. Me personally, I do first thing in the morning last thing in the evening. That's what my schedule allows. My afternoons and evenings are pretty busy. And right before bed, and first thing in the morning. Those are my times. And I find that the evening meditation sets me up for a really great night's sleep. The morning meditation sets up my day for a perfect day. So the answer to the question when is the best time to meditate?

8:59  
Definitely, whatever works for you. Don't worry about if you missed a certain time, if you did it after a meal. These are a little icing on the cake. But the real treat is just the meditation itself.

9:22  
set a schedule, stick to a time do it every day, even when you don't want to. And you will notice the difference. You know it may take a few weeks, a few months, but every single day. You're creating the conditions to be happier, healthier, have more joy and more peace in your life. So keep it up. Even if you don't see the progress keep it up. One day, you will look back and you will wonder how you went so long without it. It is that amazing.

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Set your expectation shines away and just do it. Don't worry if one day was harder than the last day. Don't worry, if one day you had a really amazing meditation and the next day you had a very difficult meditation. 

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This happens, but just focus on why you're doing it. Whether it's lower stress, more love and joy, more gratitude, less pain, less depression or anxiety, lower blood pressure, or cholesterol. These things will come. You just got to stick with it. I know you can. And thank you so much for listening. That is the answer on when is the best time to meditate. Please like, subscribe, give five stars.

10:47  
And we'll see you next time. In the meantime, follow us on social media @toddperel. And check us out at eastwesticism.org. You were listening to the Eastwesticism podcast. Be sure to visit us at eastwesticism.org to join the conversation and receive enlightening emails. Until next time,