Comments on: Learn to Sleep Consciously http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/ Just You and Me - Exploring Pathways To Freedom Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:07:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Rick Cockrum http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-8569 Rick Cockrum Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:10:02 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-8569 Hello Ralph, Thank you for stopping in! I've been interested in sleep and the dream state since my teens when I first found out about out of body travel. Invocation of a higher/deeper source is always helpful. I thank you for the link to Dillard's site. I've never heard of him or his work and look forward to exploring it. Hello Ralph,

Thank you for stopping in! I’ve been interested in sleep and the dream state since my teens when I first found out about out of body travel. Invocation of a higher/deeper source is always helpful.

I thank you for the link to Dillard’s site. I’ve never heard of him or his work and look forward to exploring it.

]]> By: Ralph http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-8547 Ralph Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:24:11 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-8547 Maintaining awareness while sleeping is something I have been very interested in since I began meditating and having more lucid dreams. One thing that has helped me is to invoke the grace of Kundalini Shakti, or the Holy Spirit, or Divine Presence. Whatever name you want to call it, it's the divine power that resides within each of us and is absolutely capable of helping to guide you into deeper states of awareness, such as meditation or conscious sleep. I am also going to take a set of courses by <a href="http://www.mayallbewell.com/profile_business.php?friend_id=1031">Joseph Dillard</a> at the Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts in Arizona in Dream Yoga. His approach seems very interesting to me, in which you are able to consciously speak with various aspects of your Self in your dreams, and consciously come into an awareness about yourself that maybe you didn't know before. Thanks for the great insights! Maintaining awareness while sleeping is something I have been very interested in since I began meditating and having more lucid dreams. One thing that has helped me is to invoke the grace of Kundalini Shakti, or the Holy Spirit, or Divine Presence. Whatever name you want to call it, it’s the divine power that resides within each of us and is absolutely capable of helping to guide you into deeper states of awareness, such as meditation or conscious sleep.

I am also going to take a set of courses by Joseph Dillard at the Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts in Arizona in Dream Yoga. His approach seems very interesting to me, in which you are able to consciously speak with various aspects of your Self in your dreams, and consciously come into an awareness about yourself that maybe you didn’t know before. Thanks for the great insights!

]]> By: A Course in Dreams Part II: Lucid Dreaming | Fearless Advisor http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-8546 A Course in Dreams Part II: Lucid Dreaming | Fearless Advisor Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:17:35 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-8546 [...] also found a great series on dreaming consciously at the Shards of Consciousness Blog. It’s worth [...] […] also found a great series on dreaming consciously at the Shards of Consciousness Blog. It’s worth […]

]]> By: Learn to Sleep Consciously - Part IV http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-8507 Learn to Sleep Consciously - Part IV Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:41:08 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-8507 [...] the first articles in this series we have explored the benefits of sleeping consciously and daytime practices to encourage conscious sleep, the phases of sleep, and practices when you go to bed to encourage conscious sleep. We had just [...] […] the first articles in this series we have explored the benefits of sleeping consciously and daytime practices to encourage conscious sleep, the phases of sleep, and practices when you go to bed to encourage conscious sleep. We had just […]

]]> By: Learn to Sleep Consciously - Part III http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-7458 Learn to Sleep Consciously - Part III Wed, 09 May 2007 17:55:02 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-7458 [...] Welcome back to our series on learning to sleep consciously. Part I of the series focused on the possibility of sleeping consciously, and some of the benefits of doing so. I discussed some of the activities and thoughts to use during the day to encourage and ease the onset of conscious sleep. In Part II of the series I talked about the different phases of sleep and activities to carry out as you prepare to sleep. This week I will begin from where I left off. [...] […] Welcome back to our series on learning to sleep consciously. Part I of the series focused on the possibility of sleeping consciously, and some of the benefits of doing so. I discussed some of the activities and thoughts to use during the day to encourage and ease the onset of conscious sleep. In Part II of the series I talked about the different phases of sleep and activities to carry out as you prepare to sleep. This week I will begin from where I left off. […]

]]> By: Learn to Sleep Consciously - Part III http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-7459 Learn to Sleep Consciously - Part III Wed, 09 May 2007 17:55:02 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-7459 [...] Welcome back to our series on learning to sleep consciously. Part I of the series focused on the possibility of sleeping consciously, and some of the benefits of doing so. I discussed some of the activities and thoughts to use during the day to encourage and ease the onset of conscious sleep. In Part II of the series I talked about the different phases of sleep and activities to carry out as you prepare to sleep. This week I will begin from where I left off. [...] […] Welcome back to our series on learning to sleep consciously. Part I of the series focused on the possibility of sleeping consciously, and some of the benefits of doing so. I discussed some of the activities and thoughts to use during the day to encourage and ease the onset of conscious sleep. In Part II of the series I talked about the different phases of sleep and activities to carry out as you prepare to sleep. This week I will begin from where I left off. […]

]]> By: Rick Cockrum http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-7442 Rick Cockrum Wed, 09 May 2007 02:47:57 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-7442 Hi GD, Thank you for stopping in. Your remembering more dreams from the last part of the night makes perfect sense. The first part of the night is primarily dreamless sleep, when the biological reasons for sleep seem to be taken care of. Most dreaming occurs after that. You may be interested in a book by Oliver Fox called Astral Projection: A Record of Out-of-the-Body Experiences. He talks a great deal about the need for emotional control in order to maintain a lucid state. I think you may be better served learning to use meditation as a way to induce lucid dreams than the drug. Hi GD,

Thank you for stopping in.

Your remembering more dreams from the last part of the night makes perfect sense. The first part of the night is primarily dreamless sleep, when the biological reasons for sleep seem to be taken care of. Most dreaming occurs after that.

You may be interested in a book by Oliver Fox called Astral Projection: A Record of Out-of-the-Body Experiences. He talks a great deal about the need for emotional control in order to maintain a lucid state.

I think you may be better served learning to use meditation as a way to induce lucid dreams than the drug.

]]> By: GD http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-7437 GD Wed, 09 May 2007 00:43:03 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-7437 For my lucid dreaming sessions I generally use a sedative - nimetazepam (not available outside Asia - Japanese pharma co.). It works wonders - I tend to dream during last few hours - waking and going back into dreaming. I used to be able to lucid dream as a child - had nightmares for years due to bad childhood and gained lucidity in final nightmare - was chased by my vampire and finally made consious decision to stop running - I woke up when he bit me and never saw him again but could control my dream world, reenter dreams I had woke up from, continue dreams from previous night - was a total master back then but I dont know when I lost the habit. Picked it up after using the sedative again and generally need it to induce the proper sleep environment. I dont have the skill level I had as a child but I am trying all sorts of things. I can kill characters at thought, fly/float, psychokinesis. The other day saw my face in mirror for first time - face looked too perfect but I could see was still me. Having sex and maintaining dream is a bit of a problem but kissing random girl characters is fine though they usually look bewildered after. For my lucid dreaming sessions I generally use a sedative - nimetazepam (not available outside Asia - Japanese pharma co.). It works wonders - I tend to dream during last few hours - waking and going back into dreaming. I used to be able to lucid dream as a child - had nightmares for years due to bad childhood and gained lucidity in final nightmare - was chased by my vampire and finally made consious decision to stop running - I woke up when he bit me and never saw him again but could control my dream world, reenter dreams I had woke up from, continue dreams from previous night - was a total master back then but I dont know when I lost the habit. Picked it up after using the sedative again and generally need it to induce the proper sleep environment. I dont have the skill level I had as a child but I am trying all sorts of things. I can kill characters at thought, fly/float, psychokinesis. The other day saw my face in mirror for first time - face looked too perfect but I could see was still me. Having sex and maintaining dream is a bit of a problem but kissing random girl characters is fine though they usually look bewildered after.

]]> By: Rick Cockrum http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-7288 Rick Cockrum Thu, 03 May 2007 12:51:44 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-7288 You've chosen a dangerous way to get a good night's sleep, Henry. It should be noted that SAMe can also induce anxiety and worsen mania in bipolar disease. Side effects include gastric problems, heart problems, agitation, sweats, and breathing problems. It shouldn't be taken with antidepressants. Xanax is addictive, worsens breathing disorders, and can have a host of other effects. Elavil is a trycyclic antidepressant, one of the types of drugs SAMe shouldn't be taken with. Enough drugs allow anyone to get a good night sleep for a short time. The side effects of your regimen are dangerous and ultimately self-defeating. No one should self-medicate in such a way. You’ve chosen a dangerous way to get a good night’s sleep, Henry. It should be noted that SAMe can also induce anxiety and worsen mania in bipolar disease. Side effects include gastric problems, heart problems, agitation, sweats, and breathing problems. It shouldn’t be taken with antidepressants.

Xanax is addictive, worsens breathing disorders, and can have a host of other effects.

Elavil is a trycyclic antidepressant, one of the types of drugs SAMe shouldn’t be taken with.

Enough drugs allow anyone to get a good night sleep for a short time. The side effects of your regimen are dangerous and ultimately self-defeating. No one should self-medicate in such a way.

]]> By: Henry Wilson http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/learn-to-sleep-consciously/#comment-7287 Henry Wilson Thu, 03 May 2007 12:25:26 +0000 http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/2007/04/a-meditation-for-dreamwork/#comment-7287 I have been caring for my 96 year-old mother. I usually work at night when she is asleep so I can concentrate. Here are some of the items I have found which contribute to a sound sleep experience: 1. Same-e : Sam-e is the precursor to melatonin in the body. If Same-e is given, then the brain will begin to secrete melatonin as soon as the eyes are closed. However this Sam-e should not be given in the day time because this will promote daytime sleeping which is an antagonist to a good night'w sleep. For those who can control sleep, however, Sam-e may be the key to the power nap - it is for me. 2. Niacin : right after a good niacin skin-flush the user will feel tired and sleepy, so I give the niacin at bedtime. Niacin also promotes good circulation and 50% of aging is simply constricted blood vessels. 3. Melatonin, 3mg. 4. 1/2 of an Elavil. Elavil has the effect of inducing sleep in about half of all people. 5. 1/2 of a Xanax. 6. No food within 2 hours of bedtime. 7. Simple suggestion that good sleep will happen. 8. Clearing the nasal passages for easy breathing. This is done by using a small spray bottle of pure sea salt and distilled water. The salty aerosol is speayed into the nose and inhaled into the passages. This will clear the passages within 20 minutes - no Breathe-Right strips needed. I find that these measures will allow anyone to get a good night's sleep with no hangover. I have been caring for my 96 year-old mother. I usually work at night when she is asleep so I can concentrate.
Here are some of the items I have found which contribute to a sound sleep experience:

1. Same-e : Sam-e is the precursor to melatonin in the body. If Same-e is given, then the brain will begin to secrete melatonin as soon as the eyes are closed. However this Sam-e should not be given in the day time because this will promote daytime sleeping which is an antagonist to a good night’w sleep.
For those who can control sleep, however, Sam-e may be the key to the power nap - it is for me.

2. Niacin : right after a good niacin skin-flush the user will feel tired and sleepy, so I give the niacin at bedtime. Niacin also promotes good circulation and 50% of aging is simply constricted blood vessels.

3. Melatonin, 3mg.

4. 1/2 of an Elavil. Elavil has the effect of inducing sleep in about half of all people.

5. 1/2 of a Xanax.

6. No food within 2 hours of bedtime.

7. Simple suggestion that good sleep will happen.

8. Clearing the nasal passages for easy breathing. This is done by using a small spray bottle of pure sea salt and distilled water. The salty aerosol is speayed into the nose and inhaled into the passages. This will clear the passages within 20 minutes - no Breathe-Right strips needed.

I find that these measures will allow anyone to get a good night’s sleep with no hangover.

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