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Posted on Sun, Feb 28, 2010 : 3 a.m.

Sit for meditation when it fits

By Susan Scott Morales, MSW

When I attended a meditation retreat in rural India last year, we meditated at 4 a.m. Even the stray dogs must have been asleep, because the quiet was surreal. Relaxed from yoga and a healthy vegetarian diet, I was able to hold a cross-legged position on the floor for an hour. I’d leave with a calm state and not a question or concern in my mind.

As wonderful as that was, there’s no way I can fit that into my life now. First of all, I can’t get to sleep by 8 p.m. so that 4 a.m. is somehow a reasonable hour to get out of bed. Reviewing the fundamentals of a meditation practice that I proposed a while back should help in determining what meditation time is best for you.

First, be comfortable. If you have a hard time sitting still after a big meal or when you first wake up in the morning, respect that and choose a time when you can sit comfortably. Sometimes meditating after a brisk walk or a workout can be optimum. The relaxed body allows the mind to relax.

Second, create an environment that supports you. The environment in your bedroom might be very different in the morning when your spouse is getting dressed, the dog needs to go for a walk, the kids can’t find their shoes, and you have an appointment to rush to. But that same room might be perfect at the end of the day when the kids are in bed and your spouse is watching TV or checking e-mail.

Last, set your intention. Why you meditate can easily dictate the best time to meditate. Perhaps you have performance anxiety. Taking five minutes before a presentation might be the perfect time. If you have trouble falling asleep, then meditating right before bedtime could be ideal. I’ve noticed that meditation can also wake me up in the middle of the afternoon when I’m feeling sluggish.

Once you’ve found your perfect time and settle into the routine, you may find that it’s easier to shift into meditation. After years of practice I can slip in and out of meditation while I’m waiting in line at the store (eyes open, of course) or while preparing to write this blog. Since my practice has so many applications in my life, I can usually meditate at anytime and get the results I want.

Let me know what works for you. I’ll post it so others can get creative in choosing their mediation time.

As a mental health professional, an owner of a fitness studio, a writer and a wife, mother and grandmother, I have found meditation to be helpful in every aspect of my life. Let's talk... To learn about my meditation classes you can reach me at susanmmorales@yahoo.com or check out my Web sites: susanscottmorales.com and bodiesinbalancefitness.com.