The Zi hour, also known as midnight, the middle of the night, night time, night division, night hours, pre-dawn, and pre-dusk, refers to the time from 23:00 to 1:00. The twelve hours of the day begin with the Zi hour, which is the first of the twelve hours. Then, is it good to meditate during the Zi hour?

Is it good to meditate during the Zi hour?

During the four hours of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You in a day, meditation yields better results. According to Taoist beliefs, the Zi hour corresponds to the perineum area, which is the starting point and hub of the energy channels. This area is extremely important, as it is the source of vital life force. Therefore, meditating at this time can be very effective. In both Taoism and Buddhism, there is a concept called "living Zi hour." The living Zi hour varies for each person due to differences in physical condition. If a person can find their own living Zi hour, it will be even more beneficial for opening up the meridians.

Ten taboos when meditating

1. Do not meditate before or after meals
When meditating, avoid fasting or overeating. Meditating before eating can easily harm the heart, while meditating after eating can affect the digestive function of the stomach.
Correct practice: Meditate one hour before or after meals.
2. Do not meditate when feeling unhappy
If you are feeling unhappy, stressed, or troubled, it is best not to meditate. Meditating at this time can easily trap suppressed liver qi in the heart, and it may also cause mental problems during meditation.
Correct practice: When feeling unhappy, it is best to go out, read a book, or listen to music to relieve your unhappiness before meditating.
3. Do not meditate when unwell
If you feel headaches, dizziness, or discomfort in your spine or neck before or during meditation, it is best to stop. Especially when experiencing severe discomfort, seek medical treatment promptly. If rest is needed, do not force yourself.
Correct practice: Stop meditating when unwell. Go out for a walk, exercise more, and resume meditation only after the discomfort has passed.
4. Do not meditate after heavy exercise
After intense exercise, blood circulation and metabolism increase rapidly. If you sit down to meditate immediately, it can easily harm the body and fail to achieve the benefits of meditation.
Correct practice: After heavy exercise, rest for half an hour to one hour, and then meditate once the body has calmed down.
5. Do not meditate before or after sexual activity
It is not suitable to meditate before or after sexual activity. Whether meditating before or after sex, it can easily harm the health.
Correct practice: Meditate four hours after sexual activity. 6. Do not meditate during menstruation
When meditating, women should avoid doing so during their menstrual period. Meditating during this time can lead to the risk of excessive bleeding.
Correct practice: You can meditate after the menstrual period ends, or meditate on one leg for ten minutes during the menstrual period.
7. Pregnant women should not meditate
Women who are pregnant should not meditate, as it can easily cause bleeding or miscarriage.
Correct practice: During pregnancy, they can recite mantras, and after giving birth, they can meditate again after at least one month.
8. Do not meditate in a noisy environment
If the environment is too noisy, it is best not to meditate. Excessive noise can affect the effectiveness of meditation, and some people may even develop negative emotions due to the noisy environment.
Correct practice: Try to choose a quiet place, free from loud noises or strong odors. The lighting should be appropriate, the air fresh, and the scenery pleasant.
9. Do not meditate when you have to urinate or defecate
If you feel the need to urinate or defecate during meditation, it will not only affect the effectiveness of meditation but also cause health issues by holding back urine or stool.
Correct practice: Before meditating, empty your bladder and bowels. Remove any jewelry, glasses, or watches, and ensure your body is relaxed before meditating.
10. Do not meditate excessively under normal circumstances
Meditation can be done anytime and anywhere, but it does not mean that the longer the meditation time, the better for the body. Generally, beginners should meditate for about half an hour, without feeling exhausted. As time goes on and the body adapts, you can gradually increase the time by five minutes per month. Do not force yourself to meditate for long periods. For those who have been meditating for several years, the total meditation time per day should not exceed four hours, and it should not be continuous.