There is a saying in India: Austerity is the wealth of the Brahmins! Of course this only applies to true brahminical practitioners who renounce or reduce material pleasures like eating, sleeping and sexual pleasures beyond accepted norms. Epicurus advises this, but unfortunately Epicureanism under the moniker of hedonism has become bastardized and compared to uncontrolled sensual pleasures. What Epicurus was proposing is a lifestyle way closer to that of ascetics than that of mindless sense enjoyers. From my experience, the safest hours of the day (Google it and see for yourself) are from 3-6 a.m. and also the best time for self reflection. We mockingly call this time, ‘O dark hundred’, but I promise you that if you start practicing the austerity of rising a little earlier than normal and spend that time in self reflection you will find some amazing results eventually…