Hi
Sometimes when i am meditating, it feels like i am falling asleep...i think i am beginning to dream but then realise and come out of it. I thought this might be the 'transcending' part of the meditation during the first week of practicing NSR, but once or twice my head has actually dropped as if i am actually falling asleep. Can you tell me if i am experiencing the first stages of sleep, or whether it is transcending? This has happened during meditation in the early evening/pre-meal when i am not yet tired.

I also find it difficult not to let my mind wander off into my conscious thoughts particularly when i am meditating in the morning, as my mind is awake and i am thinking about the day ahead or other things that are generally on my mind. Is this ok or should i be pulling my thoughts back to the syllable only?

any thoughts would be much appreciated
Otto

Otto,

"Sometimes when i am meditating, it feels like i am falling asleep... first stages of sleep, or ... transcending?"

In a way, you are experiencing both. As soon as you start thinking the syllable and forgetting it, you are transcending. But on the way to transcendence (the state of pure bliss consciousness), your mind encounters stored stresses that prevent further "inward diving". You lose consciousness due to these stresses, and fall asleep. This is indicated by your head falling forward. This will continue to happen until you dissolve your long-term sleep debt. Sleep debt is a form of stored stress. Other forms of stress include thoughts, feelings, memories, tunes running through your mind, and sensations in the body. Further information on all the topics just mentioned can be found in other forum answers.

"I also find it difficult not to let my mind wander off into my conscious thoughts particularly when i am meditating in the morning, as my mind is awake and i am thinking about the day ahead or other things that are generally on my mind. Is this ok or should i be pulling my thoughts back to the syllable only?"

NEVER pull your thoughts back to the syllable. This will interfere with transcending at best, and cause headaches at worst. Always follow the instructions given in the NSR manual. Thinking other thoughts is part of correct meditation. If we didn't think other thoughts, we would not allow the stresses to dissolve, and we would never get the full long-term benefits of meditation (such as increased alertness, productivity, capability of loving, intelligence, joy, etc.). The advice is to "favor" the mantra when possible, and not to encourage other thoughts. Additional clarifications about how to practice NSR are also contained in other answers here on this forum.

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA