SCIENCE SAYS :
Clinical sleep researcher Rafael Pelayo told the Wall Street Journal that we sleep in roughly 90-minute cycles, shifting from deep sleep to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The latter occurs more in the second half of the night (closer to daybreak), so if we go to bed super-late, we get more REM sleep, and less of the restorative deep sleep that keeps us productive and alert. This means that we have to find a balance between the two phases, making sure we experience both every night.
Sleep and meditation have one thing in common: they both require us to abandon our thoughts. In order to fall asleep, we have to shift our priorities and concentrate on the present. If we have a thought stuck in our mind, we probably won’t be able to fall in the hands of Morpheus. That thought stays with us, like a fly that we know is in the bedroom, but we weren’t able to kill. If that is the case, there are ways to stop thinking about the fly. Look for a distraction. Read a book, or watch your favorite tv series.
We can consider sleeping like a form of meditation. It’s a practice and it takes time to get it right, but recognizing the importance of sleep is the first step towards a healthier life.
SLEEP IS THE BEST MEDITATION – DALAI LAMA
A lot of things keep caregivers awake at night. You know what they are. Stress, worries about the future, trying to get too much done in too little time, just to name a few.
Yet, sleep is so precious, and it’s one of the most important keys to self-care. The average adult should sleep seven to nine hours each night. Sleep provides many benefits, and here are 10 of them including reducing stress, improving memory, helping you lose weight, and reducing your risk of depression.
I’ve had some sleep issues, and they’ve usually occurred during the most trying times in my life. Some of my worst sleep problems took place during the four years I was one of my brother’s primary caregivers, as well as after his suicide. I simply could NOT sleep. My brain was on overload, and it wouldn’t shut off.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I needed practice shutting my brain down so my body could get its rest. Then a friend gave me a set of CDs with meditations, and it was a revelation. Little did I know the importance of meditation for so many things, including treating insomnia.
Today, my routine absolutely includes UNplugging at night. Here are some suggestions to help you unplug:
- Create a bedtime routine, complete with calming activities to relax your body and mind.
- Make sure your sleep atmosphere is conducive to sleep – dark, cool, few outside disruptions, comfortable sleep attire and bedding.
- Stop using all electronics at least 30 minutes before you plan to close your eyes.
- Watch what you eat and drink in the evening. Go easy on heavy or spicy meals, alcohol and caffeine.
Argument in opposition
No – it is false. Meditation is near to sleep but the difference is that in Meditation, one is Aware. The only difference between sleep and Meditation is that of Awareness or Consciousness. Doing nothing, everything at rest and yet Conscious or Awake is Meditation whereas Doing nothing and being Unconscious is Sleep.
However, for one to progress in Meditation, deep sleep is a must. One who does not rest properly can’t progress in Meditation much. The better the sleep is, the better one’s Meditation gets as one starts growing in Awareness.
Comparisons
- Meditation practices the skill of witnessing thoughts without authoring them.
Sleeping is low-ebb consciousness of identifying with thought. “I’m doing this.” - Meditation maintains awareness and events are subtle but easily recalled.
Sleeping events are not easily recalled by a high energy waking state mind. - Meditation is practicing abiding instead of projecting.
Sleeping is projection of identity. “I’m dreaming.” “I’m not dreaming.” - Meditation reduces projection of identity on any of the three states.
Sleeping events merely seem distinct from waking events. - Meditation is abiding without naming. All states are the same state.
Sleeping allows the body to refresh due to sustained quiescence.
Meditation allows the mind to rest without loss of awareness.
