Traditionally, it is believed that pre-dawn is the best time to meditate, however, in my experience, any time is a good time. Squeeze is a few moments of focus and calm whenever you get time free from your schedule.” Elaborating on what meditation means Prakriti explains that it is a practice of training the mind for heightened awareness, deep relaxation, and tranquillity. 

In a conversation with Jagran English, Prakriti Poddar, Global Head, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roundglass Living explained about benefits and techniques of meditation. 

Contrary to what most people believe, meditation doesn’t only mean sitting cross-legged in silence with a blank mind. “Instead, it involves cultivating "detached observation," staying aware of your environment without being distracted by thoughts or external commotion,” explains Prakriti and shares some common techniques of this practice:

Effective Meditation Techniques

Vedic Meditation: The knowledge of Vedic meditation comes from the Vedas. This technique uses the chanting of a mantra (each practitioner may choose a unique mantra) as a pathway to achieve deep calm and focus. It’s markedly different from Buddhist meditation practices, which are more anchored in the concepts of mindfulness and contemplation.

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Mindfulness Meditation: This practice combines mindful awareness techniques into a meditation exercise. It is hugely popular in the West due to the mounting scientific evidence that vouches for its benefits, like reducing stress and depression and improving immunity and one’s overall sense of well-being.

Vipassana: The word ‘Vipassana’ means to see things as they are. This 2,500-year-old practice has Buddhist roots and focuses on the body-mind connection, which helps remove negative thoughts from the mind. The outcome is a more balanced mind filled with love and compassion. Vipassana has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and strengthen areas of the brain associated with memory, learning and emotion.

Loving Kindness or ‘Metta’ Meditation: This Buddhist meditation helps cultivate compassion for all living beings, including yourself. In Pali, “metta” means positive energy and kindness towards others. This form of meditation enables the practitioner to acknowledge difficult emotions and restore a sense of peace and balance. The metta method has shown promise as a tool for anger management and support recovery from addiction. 

National Meditation Day 2024 (Image Credits: Canva)

Pragya Arora, a psychologist on Coto, a women-only social community app said that meditation is a powerful way to boost mental wellness, and finding the right time can significantly enhance its benefits. As “prescribed” early mornings or late evenings are ideal because these times are quieter and usually free from daily distractions. However, my approach is to integrate short meditation breaks during stressful moments throughout the day, it can help you refocus and calm the mind.

Through live consultations, I emphasise setting realistic goals. Not everyone can meditate for long periods initially, so starting with grounding exercises and simple breathwork can be very effective. Consistency is the key as they say, but flexibility is crucial. If you're too tired or unwell, it's okay to skip a session sometimes. 

You must set yourself up for success! If discipline is your medicine, you could set a time in your calendar for meditation and if not, make your body your friend. Listen to it, when it’s calling you with the need to relax and unwind. Always have a balanced and accessible approach to your mental health needs!

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