The Ambrosial Hours (Amrit Vela): What Time Should I Meditate?
“Meditation is your first habit. Every human should meditate to keep the mind clean. Meditation is nothing but cleansing the mind through a process.”
– Yogi Bhajan
Starting out in the world of Kundalini Yoga? As you begin your journey, you will embark on a meditation practice. Learning this habit will enable you to cleanse your mind and let go of any negativity which you may harbor.
The aim is to become completely neutral; not one thing or another. What’s more, you will learn to be more mindful, tap into your inner peace, and rid yourself of the things that cause you to stress or experience anxiety.
As you are new to the practice, there may be one question on your mind: What time should I meditate? Within this short guide, we will look into the answer and uncover the mystery behind the ambrosial hours. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
What Time Should You Meditate?
“We meditate because we want a clear mind. A clear mind can give you intuition and intuition can let you know the cause and effects. For the effects you don’t want to face, you drop the cause. You can’t drop the effect.”
– Yogi Bhajan
First of all, let’s delve into the central question here. ‘What time should I meditate?’ is a question that many new Kundalini Yoga students ask.
The answer to this question is not overly complex. The truth is that you should meditate when you feel comfortable and during a time that works for you. However, as Yogi Bhajan taught, there are opportune times at which you should take the time to meditate.
Once you begin cultivating your personal sadhana practice, you will also learn of the ‘ambrosial hours’. This is the period in which the atmosphere around you is strikingly still. When you’re choosing a time to meditate, selecting this period means that you can focus all of your attention on your practice. No matter what your intentions are, learning more about the ambrosial hours (or Amrit Vela) will enable you to move forward in your journey.
When Are the Ambrosial Hours (Amrit Vela)?
“Keep the path of meditation to the point that you cleanse yourself, so that you can come out of the wounds.”
– Yogi Bhajan
Now that you are familiar with the ambrosial hours, we should discuss when they are. These hours are usually between 4 AM and 6 AM. During this uniquely serene period, the sun is at a 60-degree angle from the earth.
While it is unusual for the average person to be awake at this time, when you start your practice, you will find that the period is quiet and calm. It presents the perfect setting for you to begin your meditation and introspection.
However, it’s worth noting that Amrit Vela may change as the seasons come and go. So, when are the ambrosial hours in the summer? That depends largely on where in the world you are and the current daybreak.
As a general rule, it’s easiest to remember that this time tends to be around two hours and thirty minutes before sunrise. When you awake at this hour, take a brief moment to note how relaxed the world feels and reflect upon that.
Naturally, we all have busy schedules. For some of us, rising early to complete our meditation practice may not be viable. That’s perfectly okay. Should you find that this time is inconvenient for you, there is another option that you may wish to consider.
Many Kundalini Yoga students also meditate during the sunset hours. Again, this time will change depending on the time of year. When the natural light starts to fade, you have the chance to reflect upon all that the day has brought to you. It’s a wondrous thought.
The Science Behind Amrit Vela
Why do Kundalini Yoga students meditate during the ambrosial hours (Amrit Vela)? It’s not mere tradition; there’s scientific support suggesting that this period is the optimal time. To fully understand the meaning here, you need to consider the power of the sun.
This huge star at the center of the Solar System actually boasts 99.9% of the solar system’s mass. Without its existence, there would be no life here on earth. It is literally the source of all forms of life on our planet; from the flora of the world to human existence.
Sunlight is cast down onto the earth and is vital in photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants change light into a source of food. Through this transformation, the plants change carbon dioxide into oxygen. The shift is the reason that all animals, including humans, are able to breathe and survive on this planet. As the light fades at the end of the day, nature goes to sleep and the world is suddenly a quieter place than before.
Each person on the planet abides by the same laws of nature. We awaken in the morning when the sun rises and head to bed when the sun sets. In doing so, we are nurtured by the sunlight and exist in sync with the natural order.
Sleeping well through the night allows us to be successful, alert, and relaxed during the daytime. We understand that we should get our rest when the light is no longer present and become active during the day.
When it comes to the ambrosial hours (Amrit Vela), we rise when the sun begins to do so. The science behind this theory is that we can encapsulate the energy from the sun as it begins its ascent and take it on. At the start of this period, the sun will be at an angle of 30 degrees below the horizon.
In choosing to practice our meditation in this period, we align perfectly with the natural cycle of the planet and become one with it. As we do so, we reap the rewards of working in tandem with the planet and following the sun’s journey. It’s that simple.
Start Your Practice Today!
Now that you know when to meditate and why it’s important, what are you waiting for? Take the opportunity to begin cultivating your own sadhana practice each day. Dedicating time to this process will help you develop and grow. Continue your Kundalini Yoga journey!
See also: Quick and Easy Meditation for the Positive Mind
