Hello,

I am wondering about the effects of meditation on sleep. I have been using NSR for about 6 months or so now, and one thing I'm starting to notice is that sometimes when I meditate, I enter a state that's a little bit like dreaming. There is a stage right before I go to sleep where I am still conscious, and aware that I am conscious, but things seem dream-like.

It's kind of hard to explain because it is a very abstract feeling.

Now, when I meditate, i don't actually fall asleep but I do feel like I enter this pre-sleep dream conciousness.

Is this something i should be concerned about? Am I doing the technique improperly, or is this right on the money?

Thanks!


Simon Griffeth
Chicago , IL

Simon,

This sounds right on the money.

Transcendence is a very natural state of consciousness, and can seem to be very similar to some of the first stages of sleep. Indeed, you are perceptive to call it abstract.

After our perception has become very clear due to the dissolving of the stresses that cause drowsiness and fogginess, we discover that transcendence is the most abstract and powerful state of consciousness, since it is the source of all creative and intelligent thought. Then we fully wake up to inner, unbounded awareness and find it to be the fulfilment of all seeking.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the effects of meditation on sleep", since your question seems to be about how meditation feels similar to sleep. Perhaps you could clarify that part of your question?

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA

David, you are right in asking about the title of the thread. I meant to ask about the similar feelings. Your response is very helpful.

One thing that continues to trouble me, however, is the fact that the manual says that meditation right before sleep can make it harder to get to sleep. I don't meditate at least 2 hours before sleep, but I've noticed that sometimes after my afternoon session, I can get a little drowsy. Any thoughts on this?

I'm not sure what you are asking about.

Drowsiness during meditation is the result of the inability of the nervous system to maintain experience during the transcending process. As the syllable refines and becomes vaguer, pure awareness should be growing. Instead, we find fogginess and drowsiness overtaking us. We begin to fall asleep, to whatever extent. This happens because stresses are preventing the maintaining of awareness during the process.

There is nothing to be done about this, in fact, there is nothing we can do about this. Until sufficient stresses have dissolved, this situation is likely to continue. You are doing the right thing to continue to meditate. The deep rest of meditation will wash away these obstacles to pure consciousness, these stresses. Then you will be able to experience very subtle states of thinking very clearly, with full alertness. It may take another session, it may take a few months of regular sessions. The whole point of practicing NSR is to dissolve stress, and it is clear that you are doing this very efficiently. Just be patient with the drowsiness that is currently happening.

I hope this helps.

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA