Meditation should be a daily practice, even if it is just for a few minutes each day. What is most important is to get into the habit of meditation, like you are in the habit of brushing your teeth or showering. The mind can always find an excuse to avoid disciplined practice, but with a regular routine of meditation, you will experience the beautiful results of practice sooner. Begin with a short sitting every day to accustom yourself to meditating regularly. It’s helpful to have a place set up where only meditation happens, even if it is just a small corner of a room. Then each time you go there, even if just for a few moments, you enter sacred space and drop into stillness. (Read more in Trusting the Practice of Meditation.)
Once you have created the habit of a five to 10 minute daily meditation practice, then you will naturally want to meditate longer because of the peace and harmony that arises from consistent devotion. Slowly begin to elongate your practice; ideally, up to 30 minutes or longer. You may even find that it is helpful to begin and end your day with a practice. Twice daily meditation anchors us firmly in the Divine and our lives begin to exhibit outwardly a balance and imperturbability from being regularly centered within. (Learn more in Getting Grounded: What it Means and How to Get It.)
It is also helpful to take advantage of moments during the day in which you are between activities to pause for a quick meditation mindfulness check-in. While you are waiting in line for coffee, or pumping gas, you can turn your awareness inward to refocus on your intention of tranquility and higher awareness. Turn your inner gaze up to the third eye center and bring gratitude into your heart for all of your blessings. These meditation moments are priceless in developing the ability to retain equanimity throughout the challenges life brings. (Learn more in Meditation: How to Find the Starting Point.)