So in tonight's episode of the Grounded Sleep Podcast.
We're gonna allow ourselves to really melt into the darkness of the night.
But before we do,
I want you to take a moment and just notice the lighting in your room and see if it's dark enough for you.
And I will confess.
That I like my room really dark.
I use blackout curtains.
And I even put a sock over the light that comes off my humidifier.
But we're all different.
But just take a moment and make sure the lighting in the room or the darkness in the room is right where you want it.
This podcast is not sponsored by any socks that I use to cover up lights.
So when you're ready.
Go ahead and get into bed.
Get under that blanket.
And find that sweet spot.
And tonight let's explore the profound gift that darkness offers us.
And darkness is not something we have to fear.
It's a natural sanctuary.
That really allows a human being to sleep.
And let's begin by understanding what happens in the body when darkness comes.
So as the light fades around us,
The pineal gland,
A small pine cone-shaped structure deep in the brain begins its nightly ritual.
It starts producing melatonin,
Which is often called the sleep hormone.
And this isn't just chemistry.
It's also,
We can say,
An ancient conversation between your body and the natural world around you.
And since the beginning of human beings,
We've followed the rhythm of light and dark.
Our ancestors gathered around fires.
As the night got dark.
And their bodies naturally started preparing for rest.
Just notice before we go any further.
That your eyelids are getting heavier.
That melatonin is beginning to do its gentle work.
Perhaps your core body temperature is coming down.
Your heart rate is slowing.
And every cell in your body.
Is preparing for the restoration.
That comes when you sleep.
And let's start to sink a little deeper into the darkness together.
And so darkness is not just an absence of light.
But let's imagine it has a presence of its own.
It has a soft enveloping presence that holds you while you sleep.
And it's here to help you rest and regenerate.
And it gives you a break from the day.
Allow yourself to breathe naturally.
And with your eyes closed,
Just notice your own.
Inner darkness.
And this darkness has a stillness to it.
And it's unaffected by the demands of the world or what happened today.
And you can let your body start to get heavier.
And more relaxed in your bed.
And you can notice the darkness that exists both within you and around you.
You can feel the darkness that surrounds your physical form.
And it has almost like a soft presence.
And this darkness isn't just empty space.
It has a fullness to it.
In a way,
It's supportive.
And as you fall asleep,
It holds you in a gentle embrace.
In many wisdom traditions,
Darkness is seen as the void from which all things emerge.
It's not just empty space.
But let's say it's a pregnant space filled with potential.
And it's a very peaceful space.
And as you fall asleep tonight.
Let yourself connect with that ancient understanding of darkness.
And make sure you're slowly and deeply breathing.
Allow your entire body to start to relax more and more.
Notice that darkness has a restfulness texture to it.
And if you've had any resistance to darkness in the past.
See if you can embrace it as your ally tonight.
As you fall asleep if thoughts arise as they will.
You don't need to fight them.
You could just acknowledge them like clouds.
Passing through the dark night sky.
They simply move through and dissolve.
And you can notice that your body has an intelligence.
And knows how to sleep.
And there's nothing you need to do to make it happen.
Slowly,
Your nervous system is shifting.
From its job during the day of being alert.
Into restoration through the night.
And when you really let yourself start to dissolve into the darkness of the night.
You can just notice how peaceful that really is.
To not have to do anything.
Simply rest in this ancient healing darkness.
Allow it to carry you.
Into a restorative,
Restful sleep.
You might notice your body getting heavier and heavier in the bed.
You might notice your breath getting slower and deeper.
And see if you can just allow yourself to feel fully supported.
Allow yourself to feel really safe.
And just like light has a purpose.
It brings life.
Darkness also has a purpose.
It brings restoration.
It brings rest.
It brings stillness.
You can allow yourself to enjoy falling asleep.
There is no effort.
It's not a chore.
And it can be the best kind of boring.
Allow yourself to dissolve into that deep darkness tonight.
I want you to imagine that darkness exists within every cell of your body.
Right now,
Notice there are billions of cells.
Throughout your body,
They're conducting their quiet healing work in darkness.
Your liver cells are detoxifying in darkness.
Your muscle cells are repairing in darkness.
Your brain cells are consolidating memories.
And clearing waste in darkness.
Your body knows exactly what to do in this darkness.
It's been doing this restorative work every night of your life.
Dissolving into the unconscious.
Is the way that we surrender to the darkness.
And whether you know it or not.
Your body,
Is a master at using these hours to heal,
To restore.
And prepare you for the next day.
Notice that this darkness is almost eternal.
It was here when the first humans slept under the stars.
It was here when your great-grandparents slept.
And we'll be here long after we're all gone.
Continuing to offer its gift to the rest of humanity.
And in a way,
Darkness connects all of us.
To our ancestors.
And as you fall asleep deep into the night.
You'll notice maybe that darkness is its own sanctuary.
In a world that never seems to stop.
That always wants our attention.
Notice that darkness wants nothing from you.
It's just an invitation to rest.
It doesn't need you to be productive.
Or do anything other than be exactly here.
Where you are.
And who you are.
In this moment.
One of the gifts of darkness.
Is that it allows you to simply be.
As you fall asleep,
See if you can.
.
.
Notice how darkness is completely accepting of who you are.
And it embraces you whether you've had a good day.
Or a difficult one.
It doesn't judge you.
It simply holds you.
And as we reach the deepest part of our journey tonight.
I want you to imagine.
Sinking into the very heart.
Of darkness.
And we can call this darkness the unmanifested.
It's where life itself manifests from.
And as you let go,
You don't need to maintain awareness.
You don't need to listen to these words.
You can let yourself dissolve into the deepest silence.
Your breath is gentle and natural.
Your body is completely supported.
Every cell in your being is being bathed in the healing energy of the deep night.
And there's nothing left to do.
Allow yourself to have an amazing night of sleep.
And I'll see you on the other side.
