Zzzzz

[Greytraveller]

Hi Ulysses.
Here are two suggestions to help you stay awake.
Try playing music while you meditate. There is no absolute right or wrong regarding the best music to play. Generally I prefer ambient, trance and hearts of space music. Anything you prefer and helps keeps you from nodding off to sleep should work.
Here is another trick to keep from sleeping. Focus on any closed eye visuals that might appear. These inner mind images are called hypnogogic visuals. Eventually these visuals will become sleep dreams. The idea is to stay awake while being 'entertained' by the images. It is somewhat delicate, however, because these images tend to disappear during any attempt to control them. So passive viewing (like watching TV) is recommneded.

[Ulysses]

Unfortunately I can't have anything playing, but I'll concentrate on improving my focus. My mind still wanders every now and then and I'm like, 'oh yeah, there's the hypnogogia – come on me, stick to the hypnogogia'. Elusive little buggers.

I'm doing better by the way. Thanks mate.

[Tom]

Robert Bruce talks about going into trance too easily. He said that sleep deprivation is the most common cause. It was true for me, too. It was amazing how much physical tension had been masked by sleep deprivation. I was taking large doses of caffeine and ephedrine just to stay awake.

[Ulysses]

Hi Tom. I guess that makes sense, but I get a decent amount of sleep, usually more than a decent amount. I'm pretty sure it has to do with my new 'just relax' attitude (thanks Celestial , which has resulted in an overall drop in tension for me throughout the day. I guess it hit me hard.

[Tom]

There is more to it than quantity of sleep, but instead it is the quality. Breathing exercises (pranayama from yoga, for example) can help with this.

[Ulysses]

Yes, you're right, but I think my sleep as of late is better than it ever was, to be honest. I'm pretty sure that's not the reason... really.

[Tom]

What do you mean by talking about going to bed less tired?

If you practice sitting up, then you might want to do your initial relaxation and trance exercises while standing up. If you do not sit up then you should start. Of course, sitting and standing would be good to give up if you needed more relaxation and to go into trance faster.

[Ulysses]

quote:Originally posted by Tom

What do you mean by talking about going to bed less tired?

For example, taking my shower well before going to bed. It wasn't such a big deal before, but it is now. My day doesn't always work out that way, but I try.

quote:If you practice sitting up, then you might want to do your initial relaxation and trance exercises while standing up. If you do not sit up then you should start. Of course, sitting and standing would be good to give up if you needed more relaxation and to go into trance faster.

I don't currently practice sitting up. I'll have to wait until my life allows for it.

Thanks, Tom.

[Ulysses]

Hello to the people! (I always wanted to say that!

For the past few nights, I've been falling into a decent trance so fast that I've been falling asleep (even on my back!) without wanting to; and before I know it, it's time to rise and shine.

It's a bit annoying since this has never happened to me so consistently before. In fact, it's been pretty rare.

I'll do my best to make sure I go to bed less tired, but I'd appreciate any advice/tips/whatever you might have for a bloke like me.

Cheers!