As you climb into your bed.
Arrange it so that it becomes as cozy as possible.
Perhaps an extra pillow is needed.
Sleep mask,
Earphones or whatever you need.
To get super comfortable.
Lie down and let your body take the most comfortable shape.
Until it becomes still.
Even if your mind isn't.
Begin by noticing where your body is making contact with the bed.
Back of your head.
Let it sink softer.
Your shoulders,
Relax them fully.
Your hips Let them melt.
Your legs surrender and relax.
Now shift your attention to your breath.
Breathing in.
Breathing out.
Thoughts might stack up.
Like plans,
Memories.
Unfinished conversations.
Let them run in the background while you stay with the exhales.
You don't need thoughts to stop.
You don't need quiet inside your head.
This practice works even while thinking continues.
You are not trying to win against thought.
You are giving attention something neutral to rest on.
Notice the pauses between breaths.
With time,
The mind often slows because it has nothing to chase yet.
Your eyes rest gently in these sockets.
No longer needing to focus on anything.
Your cheeks soften.
Your jaw unclenches.
And your tongue settles on the floor of your mouth.
If sleep comes.
.
.
Let it interrupt the practice.
If it doesn't,
Continue resting with the breath without adjusting anything.
There is no finish point here.
Remain here until awareness fades on its own.
Tonight,
Sleep is not something you chase.
It's something that arrives in its own time.
Imagine a quiet and safe station late at night.
The air is calm.
The lights are soft.
Everything moves at an unhurried pace.
You're seated comfortably,
Waiting.
No announcement.
No rushing.
No need to check the time.
You are not preparing to sleep.
You are simply waiting in comfort.
Thoughts may pass through the station.
Arriving and departing.
Making brief noise and then fading again.
You don't board them.
You remain seated.
Each exhale is like a dimming of the station lights.
A little softer.
A little quieter Your scalp loosens.
Your brows stay smooth.
Your lips part slightly.
Breath moving in.
And out without any effort.
Far in the distance,
You sense the sleep train approaching.
You don't look for it or stand up for it.
The body already knows what to do.
Your muscles grow heavier against the seat.
You your head perfectly supported.
Your whole system slowing as if the timetable has shifted into full night mode.
You The sounds become more distant.
You the platform more peaceful.
Your thoughts fewer and further between.
The station lights dim even more.
Sounds grow more distant.
Waiting becomes easier.
And when the train arrives,
There is no movement required from you.
Sleep gathers you like a carriage door.
Opening quietly.
And then you are carried away without noticing the moment you leave the station.
And if you drift off before it arrives.
That's okay too.
For now,
You're resting at this station.
Completely still and peaceful.
Waiting comfortably until sleep takes over.
And off you go.
