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When beginning your meditation journey, it’s normal to feel unsure about where to start.
In Yoga, meditation corresponds with ‘Dhyana’, a state of uninterrupted attention or contemplation. (Shutterstock)
Meditation techniques and timing vary widely, allowing you to tailor practices to your unique rhythm. Techniques like mindfulness or mantra meditation can be seamlessly integrated into mornings for focus or evenings to wind down. Guided imagery works wonders during mid-day breaks, offering a mental escape. Timing also plays a crucial role—some find clarity in sunrise stillness, while others prefer the tranquility of twilight. Experimentation reveals what resonates best, aligning meditation with your lifestyle to enhance its benefits.
“While the early morning hours have traditionally been viewed as an optimal time for meditation—when the mind is naturally quiet and undistracted—at Roundglass Living, we emphasize flexibility,” says Prakriti Poddar, Global Head, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roundglass Living.
“There’s no universal ‘right time’ to meditate. The best time is the one that fits seamlessly into your schedule, allowing you to benefit fully from the practice.”
The app offers a diverse selection of guided meditations tailored to various needs—whether it’s to ease into restful sleep, start your day with gratitude, or find a moment of calm during a busy workday. For independent practitioners, the app features a timer and an array of soothing sounds to help you focus on your practice without distraction.
Explaining the essence of meditation, Prakriti shares, “Meditation is a practice that nurtures mindfulness, awareness, and emotional balance. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t require you to sit still in silence with an empty mind. Instead, it’s about developing ‘detached awareness’—being fully present and observant without becoming entangled in thoughts or surroundings. Over time, this cultivates clarity and a more mindful approach to life.”
The ancient origins of meditation, dating back to the Vedic period (1500-1200 BCE), have inspired a wide variety of practices. Here are a few techniques recommended by Prakriti to elevate your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being:
- Mindfulness MeditationRooted in present-moment awareness, this practice encourages focusing on your breath, body sensations, or immediate environment. Widely recognized for its ability to reduce stress and enhance mood, mindfulness meditation has gained global popularity for its simplicity and effectiveness.
- Zen Meditation (Zazen)This seated practice emphasizes perfecting posture and maintaining steady focus on the breath. It fosters a deep connection between the mind and body, building resilience and inner stability to navigate life’s challenges with ease.
- Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)A heart-centered practice, Metta involves generating feelings of compassion and goodwill towards yourself and others. Research shows it boosts positive emotions like hope and gratitude while helping manage anger and support emotional healing.
- Vedic MeditationOriginating in the Vedas, this practice uses mantra chanting to quiet the mind and achieve deep rest. Known also as ‘Mantra Meditation,’ it includes variations like Transcendental Meditation, which became popularized in the 20th century.
- Vipassana MeditationAn ancient Buddhist practice, Vipassana translates to “insight” or “seeing clearly.” By observing bodily sensations with neutrality, practitioners develop a heightened awareness of their thoughts and emotions, promoting emotional regulation and clarity of mind.
When beginning your meditation journey, it’s normal to feel unsure about where to start. Prakriti advises exploring different techniques and times of day to discover what resonates best with you. “Consistency matters more than perfection,” she says. “Roundglass Living offers a wide range of meditation sessions that you can save and revisit anytime, making it easy to integrate meditation into your everyday life.”
