Sleep is such a natural phenomenon that almost all creatures everywhere do it every single day.
We humans with our uniquely powerful minds have the ability to disrupt our natural energetic rhythm and develop difficulties around sleep.
This itself is quite remarkable.
But that doesn't make it pleasant.
This powerful mind of ours can create all kinds of phenomena,
Some of them beneficial,
Others not so much.
And sleep,
Being our means of resting and repairing the body and mind,
Is one phenomenon that we'd all like to create easily and consistently.
The major part of our difficulty is that sleep is not something we create deliberately.
If you've ever tried to get to sleep,
You'll have experienced how utterly futile this is.
Now you may have fallen asleep eventually in spite of your efforts,
But it will never have been your effort itself that put you to sleep.
Quite the contrary,
In fact.
Any kind of effort only keeps the mind active,
Which is the opposite of the condition we're looking for.
Sleep comes about naturally when we relax.
The difficulty we have with relaxing is that our culture trains us to do anything but that.
Being called lazy is something we tend to wish to avoid.
But who decided that action was superior to inaction?
Probably a series of people who wanted labour or money or both.
In the natural world,
There is a balance between action and inaction.
The bird is hungry,
So it hunts.
Having filled its belly,
It rests.
We humans,
On the other hand,
Can often be found neglecting our empty bellies in favour of working through lunch to meet a deadline.
And this is another symptom of the same imbalance that keeps many of us awake at night,
Even when we feel exhausted.
The antidote is relaxation,
True relaxation,
Both mental and physical.
The world will wait.
You do not have to bring it to bed with you.
Thinking about the future as you lay in bed will not change it,
Aside from the very real consequences of sleep deprivation.
And now you may find yourself not sleeping because you're worried about not sleeping.
What a mess!
But it's okay.
Almost everyone has been here at some point in their lives.
And millions of people,
Including myself,
Have found their way out of this funk.
So let's begin a guided relaxation.
Get comfortable,
Whatever that means for you right now.
And begin by imagining that nothing needs to change.
Nothing outside.
Nothing inside.
Nothing about anyone else.
Nothing about ourselves.
Nothing at work.
Nothing at home.
Nothing needs to change.
Let's take a few deep breaths together.
As you breathe,
You may find that thoughts arise.
It's okay.
You're allowed to think them.
You're also allowed to not think them.
Allow yourself to think or not think.
Remember,
Nothing needs to change.
You're even allowed to not sleep.
Even that sleep is something which happens by accident.
All we need do is relax.
A night laying awake in relaxation is preferable to a night lying awake in frustration.
And one of these two holds the greater chance of sleep taking us.
Now,
A few more deep breaths.
Again,
Thoughts may arise.
Allow them to be as they are.
Just observe.
And they become like images in a dream.
Allow your breath to return to its natural rhythm.
Enjoy the pleasant sensations of the breath.
Enjoy the warmth of your bed.
Enjoy the softness of your sheets.
The softness of your pillow.
Enjoy the sound of my voice.
Enjoy gratitude for the safety of your home.
Gratitude for our meeting by means of this recording.
Whatever arises in the mind can wait until morning.
Breathe in whatever way is comfortable.
The breath is like a lullaby.
It's been with you since the moment you were born.
Sustaining you,
Keeping you alive,
Even in sleep.
Do whatever is comfortable with the body.
Neither seeking perfect comfort,
Nor restricting yourself from shifting.
Allow this moment to be exactly as it is.
Sleep or no sleep.
Comfort or no comfort.
Thought or no thought.
Be as you are.
Or make some change.
It matters not.
It is all allowed.
For you are a natural being.
Whatever you choose to do or think.
You are a natural being.
Whether you are relaxed or tense.
You are a natural being.
Whether you are thinking or not thinking.
There is no difference.
All is equal.
Natural.
Perfect.
Relax into this truth.
And let go of all effort.
Be as you are.
And rest.
Rest.
Rest.
