Forrest's Library

sleep exercises question

Summary

, 13 min

Four sleep exercises from the Adventures in Sleep section of his book, kept separate from pranayama practice: prolonging the in-between state before sleep, falling asleep at will, instructing the unconscious mind to wake at a set time, and alternating short sleeps with waking. Conscious passivity and rapport with the unconscious mind are framed as relaxation skills for meditation.

In this video

Teaches
Sleep exercises
Discusses
Hypnagogic stateSubconscious
Mentions
Gantlet of sleepPranayamaEight limbs of yogaPatanjaliEight meannesses of the heart

Key moments

00:01A question on the night practice from Adventures in Sleep00:32Why sleep exercises come after a solid pranayama practice02:18Exercise 1: prolong the in-between state before sleep03:41Exercise 2: train yourself to fall asleep at will05:08Conscious passivity and force versus letting go06:31How he falls asleep at will: imagining blissful snoring07:07Exercise 3: tell the unconscious mind when to wake you09:18Exercise 4: alternate short sleeps and waking at will10:39How the exercises build skills for meditation11:20The yogic path as learning systems of relaxation