“What we are is the result of our past thoughts.”
Just when you want to fall asleep, negative and destructive thoughts are arising. Sometimes it is obsessive and we have the feeling that we are not able to do something against it – and sleep is “unthinkable”. In this situation, it would be desirable to be able to turn off the thinking process – just like a computer.
To control negative thoughts is a very important and health-supporting mental skill – especially before falling asleep. But, it is also very helpful during daytime. Without any stressful programs, attitudes and thoughts we are able to come to a decision in our job or sports easier and more precise, too. Especially in top-class sports it is proved in studies, that an athlete is only able to bring peak performances when he or she is free from negative thoughts. Only then high and positive energy is available.
Now back to sleep: when you’re having some experience, the feeling of inner peace will get more and more intense and falling asleep will happen by your tiredness and your letting go almost by itself. Exactly this will work with an easy technique, and with some experience you will quickly know how to handle it: learn to neutrally observe your thoughts. In this way, your thoughts lose control over you. This is the beginning of the end of involuntary and obsessive negative thinking. Let your thoughts come and go, just don’t evaluate them – neither mentally nor emotionally.
The technique described below is initially coming out of the Zen-Buddhism and is also part of the Indian Yoga-meditation-system. It will also help you to “clean” yourself from destructive and negative thoughts. What is special about this method is, that you were thinking something and in addition to that you have been watching your thoughts, the “thinker itself” at the same time. When you practice this exercise during the daytime regularly, you will fall asleep in the evening unburdened. By using this simple technique a movement towards more consciousness is developing. This will help you, to experience your life and therewith your sleep more consciously.
EXERCISE – Observe your thoughts:
• Keep your eyes closed and pay attention to your thoughts.
• Watch your resp. listen to the voice in your head.
• What are you thinking about?
• As soon as you catch your thoughts neutrally watch them or their topic.
• You don’t evaluate, you don’t dwell on the thoughts, you just observe.
• Let your thoughts pass by like clouds in the sky.
• It is helpful to shortly hold on to an arising emotion in mind and once repeat it there – again, without any evaluation.
Duration of the exercise: about three minutes, then increase it up to fifteen minutes.
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