Why Face North or East During Meditation?

Why Face North or East During Meditation?
When I first began meditating, I instinctively sought bright, open spaces with fresh air. While this approach felt natural, conversations with seasoned meditation practitioners revealed a deeper wisdom: the importance of facing north or east during practice.

These directions are not random. They align with Earth's magnetic field, influencing brain waves and fostering calmness. Additionally, spiritual traditions and cultural customs from Buddhism to Ayurveda regard these orientations as sacred, amplifying the benefits of meditation.

The Earth's Magnetic Field

As we know, animals like birds and turtles can detect the Earth’s magnetic field and use it for navigation. Wild cows and deer also tend to orient their bodies northward while relaxing. Although modern humans have lost much of this natural sense, we remain creatures of the Earth, shielded by its magnetic field from harmful solar winds and ultraviolet radiation. This field directly impacts our well-being.

In one experiment, researchers measured the brainwaves of a person sitting in an aluminum cage facing North. It was observed that facing North reduced the amplitude of alpha brainwaves, similar to responses seen in animals. Alpha waves are associated with quiet, reflective thoughts and certain meditative states. Your brain produces these waves (8–12 Hz) when you are calm and not focused on anything specific, facilitating relaxation.

Thus, from a scientific perspective, facing North during meditation may positively influence alpha brainwaves, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Cultural and Spiritual Perspectives

In Buddhism, the West symbolizes death, drawing parallels to the sun’s journey from East to West, likened to the cycle of life and death. In Japan, the deceased are often buried with their heads facing North and their faces turned West, symbolizing an eternal, dreamless sleep.

Sacred times for meditation and yoga practice are considered to be before dawn and after sunset. These periods are believed to be filled with special spiritual energy, particularly the 96 minutes before sunrise, known as Brahma Muhurta in Ayurveda. This is the ideal time for peaceful meditation, as the atmosphere is fresh and vibrant with natural energy.

(Note: Brahma Muhurta is a concept rooted in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical system.)

Personal Experiences

In the past, when I visited islands like Okinawa or Hawaii, I would meditate on the beach in the early morning. My most special experience, however, was climbing Mount Fuji at night. I sat on the summit, meditating just before sunrise, allowing my entire body to absorb the divine light as the sun emerged from the horizon. It was a profoundly sacred and powerful experience that made me feel deeply connected to nature and filled with gratitude for being alive.