Transforming anxiety over sleep meditation by Tarika Lovegarden When you have trouble sleeping it's natural to worry about whether you'll be able to get a good night's sleep.
And the truth is you may or may not.
But getting anxious about it doesn't help.
It only makes things worse.
What helps is to access your body's natural ability to relax,
Even when you feel agitated or anxious.
There's nothing you need to do.
Simply by listening to this meditation you're connecting with your body's natural ability to relax and let go into deep rest.
This happens as effortlessly as breathing.
To experience this,
Close your eyes and begin by connecting with your heart.
Place your hands on your heart center in the middle of your chest.
Take deep full breaths into your heart.
Feeling your chest expanding as you breathe in,
Relaxing,
Soothing you.
Breathing out,
Letting go of any worries and concerns you may have right now.
As you breathe out,
Feeling the breath carrying you deeper inside.
Taking this quality time for yourself.
Time to go in.
Deeper inside is space that is peaceful,
Silent,
Still.
Becoming aware of this space.
Listening to the sound of my voice,
This music.
Feeling these sounds deep inside.
As you relax into this space,
You may be seeing an image or metaphor.
Like a clear night sky.
Vast,
Silent,
Still.
In this space,
Disturbances are like waves on the surface.
Waves of anxiety,
Sensations of pain,
Concerns about sleep.
Allowing them to come and go.
You are this space.
It's part of you,
No matter what you're experiencing.
You can feel anxiety as energy.
Energy flowing within you.
Perhaps you feel agitation,
Another form of energy.
Or the energy of discomfort in your body.
They're all different forms of energy.
Allowing your energy to flow freely now as you take deep relaxing breaths.
You may see a picture of your energy flowing in a new way.
Feeling your body relax as tension is releasing.
Connecting with your body's natural ability to relax with each breath you take.
In your heart,
You naturally care for yourself.
Feeling this care inside.
Caring about having a good night's sleep.
Your health.
Anxiety is a form of care.
When you're anxious about sleep,
You're really caring for your body.
Connecting with your heart is transforming your anxiety into loving care.
Enabling you to fall asleep.
Caring for yourself is relaxing.
If you wake up during the night and feel anxious,
Connect with this loving care.
Taking soothing,
Relaxing breaths.
Each time there's a wave of energy,
Anxiety or pain.
You can allow these waves to come and go.
Feeling your energy flowing freely again.
As you rest deeply in the sanctuary of your heart.
Letting this loving care carry you through the night.
Like a thread weaving in and out of your dreams.
Soothing.
Relaxing you.
Lulling you into a deep,
Peaceful sleep.
Good night dear friend.
