3 Lessons From the Dalai Lama’s Morning Routine

Recently, his morning routine was chronicled by Pico Iyer, the author of The Open Road, a book about the Dalai Lama’s journey over the past three decades.

The Dalai Lama is said to rise as early as 3:00 A.M. when he’s not out travelling and lasts roughly six hours if you include his morning breakfast.

I know, at first, his morning routine might sound a bit extreme. Don’t let that discourage you. My purpose here isn’t to suggest you also wake up at the crack of dawn, but more that there are certain aspects of a morning routine, and things you can do with a morning routine, that are highly valuable.

1. Spend time every day developing the qualities which are most important to you

According to Dalai Lama’s official website:

"When His Holiness is at home in Dharamsala, he wakes up at 3 am. After his morning shower, His Holiness begins the day with prayers, meditations and prostrations until 5 am."

1. Everyone can find time to exercise (and it’s critically important)

"From 5 am His Holiness takes a short morning walk around the residential premises. If it is raining outside, His Holiness has a treadmill to use for his walk."

1. The morning is a perfect time for deep reflection (and this gives a valuable sense of perspective)

The Dalai Lama is eighty-two years old, and one of the busiest people in the world, but he still finds the time to practice a nourishing morning routine.