In ancient times, Spiritual Masters encouraged their disciples to meditate in the early hours of the morning, at 3am, 4am or even 2am. From Vedic times, this early hour was called “Brahma Muhurta” – the Hour of God, as it was believed to be the most propitious hour to silence the mind and enter into the deepest meditation.
Most people nowadays find it impractical or impossible to meditate at what ironically, is referred to as an “ungodly hour”. Just because we do not routinely meditate at the Brahma Muhurta does not disqualify us from leading a spiritual life: whatever time we are able to get up in the morning, that is the time to meditate. Nevertheless, it is well worth experiencing the palpable benefits of a very early morning meditation whenever the opportunity arises.
Sri Chinmoy explained the practical reason why early morning is the most effective time to meditate:
“Once the day dawns, Mother Earth becomes divinely energetic or undivinely restless. Especially in the West, because of its present dynamic nature, there is some feeling of irritation in the cosmos, or in the outer nature. These restless qualities of the world do not have to enter into you, but usually they do. When people move around, immediately their vibration enters into you, no matter where you are. The air, the light, has already been corrupted by human toil, human anxieties. The world is standing in front of you like a roaring lion. How can you enter into your highest meditation in front of a roaring lion? But, if you can meditate before nature starts functioning, when the cosmos is still and the entire universe is taking rest, then you will be able to get a more powerful concentration and a deeper meditation.”
– Sri Chinmoy