by James Traverse
Yoga Nidra, also known as “yogic sleep,” is the waking experience of deep sleep. It is a powerful meditation technique that involves relaxation and mindfulness.
It is believed to bring about a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, where the body is completely relaxed, and the mind is alert.
The practice of Yogic Sleep induces a deep relaxation response in the body, allowing the practitioner to reach a state of inner peace and clarity. This state of relaxation reduces stress and anxiety, while providing relief from insomnia, headaches, and fatigue.
It is also believed to improve concentration and focus, as well as to improve overall physical and mental health. Practicing Nidra Yoga, Sleep Yoga, is beneficial for those who suffer from chronic illness, as well as for those who feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Furthermore, it improves the quality of life for those who practice it on a regular basis.
What is Yogic Sleep regarding Spiritual Training and Spiritual Awakening?
The understanding of deep sleep in the light of Yogic Sleep practice is very important. This is because the vast majority of people misunderstand deep sleep. What this practice reveals via experience is that instead of deep sleep being the absence of experience, which is what most people think, it is actually the experience of absence. This is huge because it means that it is possible to experience your absence while remaining present; in turn, this experience means that you access a deeper level of knowing via this practice.
The Spiritual Training of Yogic Sleep has been around for centuries and is an integral part of the yoga tradition. It is often used as a way to relax the body and mind, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep. However, it can also be used as a tool for personal growth, self-realization, and spiritual awakening as it helps to cultivate a deeper awareness of the self beyond the thinking mind, an understanding of the world around us, and, although it is a form of sleep, it is actually a time-tested means to be awake to the true nature of being.
Spiritual Training via Yogic Sleep helps us to recognize our unconscious patterns, release blockages, and move forward in life with a greater sense of clarity and connection. It helps us to experience a deep sense of connectedness to the universe and to the divine within. It also helps to deepen our meditation practice and to access the power of intuition, which can be a great aid in making decisions in all areas of life. Through the practice, we can learn to observe our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs without judgment, allowing us to explore our inner landscape, open up to new possibilities, and become more aligned with our authentic nature.
To practice Yogic Sleep, you will need to find a comfortable and quiet place to lie down or sit. You can use a blanket or cushion to support your body, and it is helpful to cover your eyes with a cloth or eye pillow to block out external distractions.
Once you are comfortable and settled, you can begin the practice by taking a few deep breaths and focusing on your breath. This will help to calm the mind and bring your attention inward. From there, you can guide yourself through a series of relaxation techniques and visualization exercises, such as body scans, breath awareness, and positive affirmations.
One of the key components of Yogic Sleep is the “sankalpa,” or resolution. Common sankalpas include:
- May I be at peace and free from suffering.
- May I be kind, compassionate and loving.
- May I be free from fear and find inner strength.
- May I be healthy and happy.
- May I be free from attachment and find contentment.
- May I find clarity and inner wisdom.
- May I be filled with self-love and acceptance.
- May I be open to new possibilities and experiences.
- May I be open to change and find balance in my life.
- May I be free to live my truth and be who I truly am.
Your sankalpa is a positive statement of intention that you make to yourself during the practice, such as the ones listed above. It serves as a guiding principle that helps to focus the mind and align your actions with your values.
As you progress through the practice, you may begin to feel a sense of detachment from your thoughts and emotions. This is known as “turiya,” or the fourth state of consciousness [before deep sleep, dreaming and waking]. It is the realm of pure awareness and inner stillness that is described by practitioners as a deep sense of peace, clarity and profound insight.
It is important to note that this practice is not a replacement for sleep, but rather a complement to it. It can be practised at any time of day, but it is especially effective when done before bed as it can help to relax the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep and lucid dream.
Spirituality for Beginners
Now is eternally new. In this light being spiritual means that we are always beginners.
Spirituality is a personal journey. It is important to remember that there is no single path to spirituality. Everyone finds their own unique path that works for them.
It is important to be open-minded and explore different spiritual practices, such as yoga, yoga nidra, meditation, or chanting. Find what speaks to you and resonates with your values and beliefs.
Connect with nature and be still with yourself. Spend time reflecting on your life and how you can make a difference in the world. Most importantly, express gratitude for the blessings you have and be kind to yourself and others.
Spiritual Awakening – Inner Peace
Inner Peace, which is the outcome of Spiritual Awakening can be accomplished in many different ways.
One of the most popular methods is through meditation. Meditation can help to reduce stress and cultivate inner peace by calming the mind, body, and spirit.
Additionally, it can be helpful to practice self-care and take time for yourself to do activities that bring joy and relaxation. This could be anything from yoga to reading a book or taking a warm bath. It is important to find what works for you and to create a routine that you can stick to. Ultimately, developing inner peace requires dedication and a commitment to yourself and your well-being.
Other methods that can be used to cultivate inner peace include journaling, mindfulness, self-reflection and Yogic Sleep as described in this article.
- Journaling can help you to release emotions and find clarity. It is also be used to help make sense of difficult or confusing situations by allowing you to explore and reflect on your feelings and experiences. Writing things down can help you to better understand yourself, your relationships and your life. It can help you to gain insight into why you feel or behave in certain ways, and can be used as an effective tool for problem-solving and personal growth.
- Writing down your thoughts and feelings can also help you to identify patterns in your behavior and make positive changes. In addition, journaling can provide a safe space to process difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness or fear, in a productive and healthy way. Allowing yourself the time and space to write can help you to gain clarity and find balance.
- Mindfulness and self-reflection help to boost self-awareness and focus on the present moment. Lastly, self-reflection can help to identify areas of improvement and create meaningful change in one’s life.
- Mindfulness is practiced in a variety of ways including deep breathing, guided meditation, yoga, and walking. For beginners, it is best to start off with smaller, more manageable practices such as deep breathing exercises or a few minutes of mindful walking. With regular practice, one can experience greater self-awareness, clarity, and peace of mind.
- Mindfulness and self-reflection are also used to help manage stress and emotions. Practicing mindfulness helps to increase one’s ability to be aware of their thoughts and feelings, as well as to be able to respond to them in a calm and mindful way. Mindfulness and self-reflection are also used to help manage difficult emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and anxiety. This help provides a sense of control and clarity in difficult situations.
- Mindfulness can help to reduce rumination, or constant worrying and overthinking, by bringing awareness to the present moment and allowing one to observe their thoughts without judgement.
- All of these methods can be used together to create a sense of peace and inner calm. In addition, it is important to connect with nature and spend time in the outdoors.
- Being in nature helps to reduce stress and provides a sense of peace and serenity.
- When it comes to developing inner peace, it is important to find a practice that works for you and stick to it.
- By creating a daily routine of self-care, one can cultivate a sense of inner peace and tranquility.
How to Practice Yoga Nidra
There are many different approaches to this meditative practise – here is a general outline of the steps involved:
- Find a comfortable position: It is important to choose a position that is comfortable and allows the body to relax completely. This could be lying down, sitting, or even standing.
- Close the eyes: Closing the eyes can help to block out external distractions and allow the mind to focus inward.
- Take slow, deep breaths: Taking slow, deep breaths can help to relax the body and calm the mind.
- Relax the body: Begin by focusing on the toes and work your way up the body, intentionally relaxing each muscle group.
- Practice visualization: Visualize a peaceful scene or object, such as a beach or a flower, and focus on the details of the visualization.
- Repeat a mantra: Choose a word or phrase that has personal meaning and repeat it to yourself silently as you focus on the breath.
- Return to the present moment: As thoughts or distractions arise, gently acknowledge them and then return the focus to the breath and the mantra.
In this Light…
Spiritual Training is a powerful meditation technique that is often referred to as “yogic sleep. It is a guided meditation that leads you into a profound meditative state, allowing you to relax and release any physical, mental, and emotional tensions and to access another way of knowing.
In this training you focus your awareness on the breath and observe the flow of energy and the sensations in the body. You are encouraged to become more aware of the body and to tune in to your inner wisdom.
With practice, you can learn to consciously direct this energy to create healing and transformation.
By allowing the mind to be still and the body to relax, Spiritual Training can help you to access a higher level of consciousness, wisdom, and insight. It can also be used to help you to gain clarity and understanding of the world around you. With regular practice, it helps to bring balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
The practice is said to help reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase overall well-being. During the practice, you are guided to focus your awareness on being still such that things like the sensations associated with the flow of the breath stand out and then move through your body to mentally scan and relax each area without breaking the stillness.
As you progress deeper into the practice, you will be guided to explore your inner awareness and accept whatever arises, which helps you awaken spiritually.
Finally, you will be led through a process of setting intentions to help you focus on what you want to manifest in your life.
Whether you are new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, Yoga Nidra is Meditation Made Easy – it is a practice that benefits people of all ages and levels of ability.
