Last week I referred to some bigger celestial and geologic timeframes, and that awareness and perspective is helpful. There are other “environmental” energies that define the qualities of time periods. One such model is “doshas”, from an Ayurvedic (Indian) system of health. The three doshas are Vata (fast, cool and airy); Pitta (hot and active); and Kapha (slow, dense and cold). In a health context, a person is described as a combination of two doshas that indicate a preferred diet, exercise regimen, and the most beneficial herbs and oils for them.
What is less well known is that the qualities of these doshas also correlate to 4-hr periods of time throughout the day!
- 6am - 10am - Kapha (waking, transition)
- 10am - 2pm - Pitta (strong vigorous activity)
- 2pm - 6pm - Vata (spacy, less focus)
- 6pm - 10pm - Kapha (relaxed, slower)
- 10pm - 2am - Pitta (energized)
- 2am - 6pm - Vata (airy, light and fast)
So, we are stimulated upon waking, move into a productive phase, have a dip in focus and energy, feel more settled in the evening, and hopefully, to sleep before 10pm. It’s good to wake up at dawn-ish, because the longer you sleep in, the more sluggish you’ll be upon waking in Kapha.
As a night owl, I have definitely noticed the “second wind” that happens after 10pm and can carry you all the way to - gosh, I didn’t realize it was 2am already! If you tend to wake up in the night, it’s usually around that 2-3am time, at the shift to Vata. These are external forces that influence our experience of time periods; you may personally digress, but you might still feel the effect of these “bigger” energies (the doshas apply to seasons, too.)
Daniel Pink, in his book “When”, studied how we experience time, both the physical and psychological reasons. These factors have behavioral consequences. That late afternoon “lull” (Vata) is universal - across cultures, ages, and gender! It happens about seven hours after you wake up (do the math, nite owls.) This is why you don’t want to go to court or have surgery later in the afternoon. His “hack” is to take a 20-minute (but no longer) nap and drink caffeine just before - because it takes about 20 minutes to kick in. A truly Western antidote - no long siestas for us!
In terms of psychology, our motivation and initiative are greatly affected by whether we are at the beginning, middle or end of something. Guess where the steam runs out? This winter we are in the middle of the pandemic and people are experiencing “Covid fatigue” - tired of paying attention and being vigilant, we just want it over with. Yet the outcome is significantly affected by our ability to sustain in the middle. One answer the author advises is to create additional beginnings in the middle phase to counteract that tendency.
I truly believe (but don’t often recognize until afterwards) that “all timing is divine”. We may have different ideas or desires, but when we push or swerve it usually doesn’t turn out for the best in the long run. It can sound trite, like “everything is perfect” does - but it doesn’t mean these sayings are any less true. Often, we just don’t have all the information to make a judgement or decision (and our ego and will are not very patient). Byron Katie’s book “Loving What Is” says it all - accepting what is happening moment to moment is liberating. When you “argue with reality” - what is obviously happening, or not - you only lose 100% of the time!
Life will get better, eventually, but it will be different. So, embrace the moment and all its potential right now. Potential for love, grief, happiness, anger, gratitude, despair, boredom…and sleep. When I find myself in a contracted or negative place, I recognize that moment. Then I move my body, make a sound, or interact with something outside myself to break the pattern (pets are getting LOTS of attention!) Repeat as often as necessary… and some days that is a LOT.
It’s a New Year, but doesn’t feel like a typical New Year has begun - since we’re still in the middle of all - this!
Peace, love and healing -
Bear
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