In short: start with 3 to 5 minutes a day and build up to 10 or 20. The Buddha said that even developing a mind of love "as long as a finger-snap" is worthwhile (AN 1.53), so short practice counts. What matters most is doing it daily: a few minutes every day beats an hour once a month.
Even a finger-snap counts
"If, mendicants, a mendicant cultivates a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they're called a mendicant who does not lack absorption, who follows the Teacher's instructions… How much more so those who make much of it!"
AN 1.53
A finger-snap is about a second. The Buddha's point isn't that a second is enough forever; it is that every moment of real practice is valuable, and more is better: "How much more so those who make much of it!"
Read the full guide
One breath at a time
When the Buddha asked his monks how they practiced mindfulness of death, he praised the one who reflected on the shortest span of all:
"Oh, if I'd only live as long as it takes to breathe out after breathing in, or to breathe in after breathing out, I'd focus on the Buddha's instructions and I could really achieve a lot."
AN 6.19 · More: mindfulness of death.
That attitude applies to all meditation: don't wait for the perfect hour. Practice in the breath you have.
A realistic plan
| Stage | Daily time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1–2 | 3–5 minutes | Breath and one kind wish. Practice has 3-minute guided sessions. |
| Week 3–6 | 10 minutes | Add a body scan or loving-kindness. |
| After 6 weeks | 20 minutes or more | Mindfulness of breathing: the 16 steps. |
Short and daily beats long and rare
- Attach it to something you already do: after brushing your teeth, before coffee, before sleep.
- Two short sessions (morning and evening) often work better than one long one.
- Missed a day? Just begin again. Beginning again is the practice.
- Use the moments between: three mindful breaths before a meeting, or while waiting for the kettle.
Try it
Start today with 3 minutes: open Practice. New to it all? Read Buddhist meditation for beginners.
Questions people ask
How long should a beginner meditate?
Start with 3 to 5 minutes a day. Once that's easy, move to 10, then 20. A short session you actually do every day is worth more than a long one you skip.
Is 5 minutes of meditation enough?
Yes, especially at first. The Buddha said that even developing a mind of love 'as long as a finger-snap' is worthwhile (AN 1.53), and 'how much more so those who make much of it'.
What is the best time of day to meditate?
Whenever you'll do it consistently. Many Buddhists practice in the early morning before the day starts, and briefly in the evening.