Embrace the Dawn: Waking Up at Brahma Muhurta

Hey there! It’s Joe and Momo. On 18th March, we woke up with a crazy idea: to wake up at 3:30 AM every day for 21 days straight – not to change the world, but to change something in ourselves. A life hack like none we had ever tried before. We’ve been early risers before, but this was a whole new level of crazy. We wanted to challenge ourselves, see what if we can, and maybe even inspire a few people along the way.

We decided to skip Saturdays and Sundays because our routines are different on those days. But we didn’t want to completely slack off, so we still tried to get up early on those days, even if it wasn’t as strict as during the weekdays. But let me tell you weekends are hard. The goal was to create a new habit, not to exhaust ourselves. And we wanted to keep going after the 21 days were over, not flame out halfway through.

So why 21 days? It’s based on a theory by Dr. Maxwell Maltz that says it takes 21 days to form a habit. It’s not a universal truth, but it’s a good guideline. And why 03:30 A.M? Because we wanted to start waking up at Brahma Muhurat.

Let us start by knowing what Brahma Muhurat actually is. Brahma Muhurat, is the time between 3:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., and it has long been considered auspicious in many spiritual traditions, particularly in Hinduism and Ayurveda. It is a period of time just before dawn, beginning roughly 1 hour and 36 minutes before sunrise, though its exact timing can vary with the seasons. This time is regarded as ideal for beginning your day.

It’s believed that during this time, the environment is calm, and the mind is naturally fresh, making it ideal for meditation, self-reflection, and spiritual practices. When we decided to embrace this ancient tradition, it was challenging at first, but with time, it transformed our life. Here’s a guide to help you wake up at Brahma Muhurat and make the most of this sacred time.

How to Start Waking Up at Brahma Muhurat

1. Gradual Adjustment: If you’re used to waking up later, start by adjusting your wake-up time by 15-30 minutes earlier each day until you reach your goal. We found that this gradual approach helped our body adjust naturally without feeling overly tired.
2. Prepare the Night Before: Create a bedtime routine that relaxes your mind and body. We began dimming the lights an hour before sleep, avoiding screens, and drinking a cup of warm herbal tea. Setting a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for 7-8 hours of rest, is essential.
3. Set a Gentle Alarm: Instead of a loud alarm, use a gentle chime or nature sounds to wake up peacefully. I found that waking up to a calming sound made me feel less groggy and more willing to start my day early.
4. Place Your Alarm Clock Away from the Bed: Keeping your alarm clock away from the bed forces you to get up and move, reducing the temptation to hit snooze. This simple trick made a huge difference in sticking to our wake-up routine.

Rituals to Follow After Waking Up

1. Offer Gratitude: The first thing we do after waking is to sit up, close my eyes, and express gratitude for the new day. This simple practice shifts your mindset to a positive and peaceful state.
2. Recite a Morning Mantra: We found solace in reciting the following mantra upon waking:

“Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi, Karamadhye Saraswati, Karamoole Tu Govinda, Prabhaate Karadarshanam.”
(Translation: On the tip of my fingers resides Goddess Lakshmi, in the middle of my hands resides Goddess Saraswati, and at the base of my hands resides Lord Govinda. Thus, I look at my hands every morning.)Adding the youtube link here
This mantra sets a spiritual tone for the day and reminds us of the divine energies that guide our actions.

3. Take bath: Taking bath is an important ritual in the morning as it refreshes both body and mind, symbolically purifying you for the day ahead. I prefer adding a few drops of essential oils like lavender or sandalwood to the bathwater for a calming effect. Alternatively, adding a spoonful of rock salt can help cleanse negative energy and rejuvenate the body. Warm water works best in colder weather, while a cooler bath can be invigorating during the summer months.
4. Morning prarthana (Prayer): After bathing, we sit in a quiet corner and perform a morning prayer, or “Prarthana.” This is a moment to connect with the divine, seek blessings, and set a positive intention for the day. We usually chant the Gayatri Mantra:

“Om Bhur Bhuva Swaha, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.”
(Translation: We meditate on the divine light of the radiant source; may that inspire our thoughts.)

Or listen to Vishnu Sahasranamam

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This practice of Prarthana brings peace to mind, grounding our spirit and preparing us to face the day with a calm, centered approach.

3. Gratitude Journaling: Write in a gratitude journal to focus on the positive aspects of your life.
4. Plan the Day Ahead: After completing all the above, we sit down with a cup of warm water with lemon, honey and plan our day. Setting intentions and organizing our schedule helps us start the day with clarity and purpose.

Meal Timing for Optimal Health

Waking up early at Brahma Muhurat naturally resets your body clock, which also affects meal timing:

• Breakfast: Ideally, have breakfast within 1-2 hours of waking up, around 6:30-7:30 a.m. I prefer a light, nourishing breakfast like fresh fruits, nuts, idli sambar and whole grains to fuel my morning.
• Lunch: Ayurvedic practices suggest having your heaviest meal when the digestive fire is strongest, typically around midday (12:00-1:00 p.m.). Our lunch includes a balanced combination of vegetables, grains, and proteins.
• Dinner: Aim for an early, light dinner around 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eating earlier gives the body enough time to digest before sleep, promoting better rest. We usually opt for soups, salads, or lightly cooked vegetables.

Pros for Mental and Physical Health

1. Improved Mental Clarity: We noticed that waking up at Brahma Muhurat gave us a sense of calm and mental clarity that lasted throughout the day. The mind is naturally quieter in the early hours, making it the perfect time for meditation, reflection, and planning.
2. Enhanced Productivity: Starting the day early gave us more time to focus on important tasks without distractions. This increased our productivity, family time and made us feel accomplished even before the day fully began.
3. Better Physical Health: Waking up early resets our circadian rhythm, which improved our digestion, energy levels, and overall health. Momo experienced fewer headaches and less fatigue, and Joe’s body felt more balanced.
4. Boosted Immune System: According to Ayurveda, following natural cycles enhances the immune system. We found ourselves falling sick less often and recovering more quickly.
5. Positive Mood and Reduced Stress: The practice of gratitude, mantras, and meditation in the early hours significantly improved our mood and reduced stress levels. We felt more connected to ourselves and our surroundings.

Challenges of Waking Up at Brahma Muhurat

1. Initial Struggles with Sleep Patterns: One of the biggest challenges we faced was adjusting our sleep schedule. It took some time to fall asleep earlier, and we initially felt tired waking up at 4:00 a.m.
2. Resistance from Family or Household Members: Not everyone in the household may be on board with the new schedule. We had to communicate our intentions clearly and find ways to minimize disturbances.
3. Overcoming the Urge to Snooze: The temptation to hit the snooze button was strong, especially in the beginning. We had to remind ourselves of the benefits and stick to our plan, which required discipline. 
4. Cold Mornings and Low Motivation: During colder months, getting out of bed was particularly challenging. We found that setting our clothes out the night before and using a gentle alarm helped us push through.
5. Managing Social Life: Weekends are hard as we said. Friends, families, outings, and meal timing gets difficult. Adjusting our social life around an early sleep schedule was tricky. We had to make conscious choices about late-night events and prioritize our well-being.

But it is easier when you have a partner. Somedays I motivated Joe and somedays Joe motivated me.

Conclusion

Waking up at Brahma Muhurat can be a powerful practice to enhance both mental and physical well-being. Although it comes with its challenges, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. By gradually adjusting your wake-up time, following morning rituals, and maintaining a consistent routine, you can harness the sacred energy of this time for a more balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, every step you take towards aligning with the natural rhythms brings you closer to a healthier and happier you.