I take it it kind of depends on people and subjective conditions.
In the past I tried to force upon myself, by sheer willpower, very early meditation, and that failed miserably.
That is, I sure was able to wake up and sit down in a proper cross legged posture, but then I had dreams, while remaining sit, nodding out the way Steve describes. Many times I went like that for hours, at the end I realized time ran away too fast, not because I achieved the state of Samhadi, but because of the state of slumber.
I may try that out again but very cautiously,
Mccoy; thanks for your contribution and observation. Nodding off is a serious problem-many of us who have meditated encounter. I too have had many such experiences and have come to realize it is a very bad practice to think we have been meditating when actually we have learned to fall asleep at will in an upright position.
I do not think beginners have this problem yet because, unless they are just tired they have a lot of practice yet just to calm the body and mind. Sometimes I have actually had a tap on my shoulder or back from the
spirit guides to help my practice or a sudden electrical current or small bug help me come to. However there is a tremendous amount of self observation involved in meditation and maya would like nothing better then to see us waste our time in our practice.
I actually have asked friends to take pictures of me when they thought I might be sleeping so i did not fool myself. Because often we can go in and out of awareness and slump when we are practicing. The state of relaxation is part of the meditation process so it is easy to find ourselves snoozing since from relaxation it is just as easy to take a nap as it is to reach an altered state of awareness. Many times we can say i feel refreshed but really have just taken a cat nap in upright position. We can spend many years in futile practice if we are not aware of this... then wonder why we do not seem to be making progress. This is another reason it is helpful to meditate with others. If they are your spiritual friends they will let you know if you are actually sleeping instead of meditating.
This might be an unusual place to place such a topic. I placed it here because of something I learned at one of the SRF chapels; once when a monk came to the chapel at Redondo Beach California. That chapel is no longer there-by the way-but he came there and said that some of the students there were having problems with sleep and so he came to give advice on staying awake during meditation. I am sure one of the students was me. I was in my early 20's at the time but I still remember some of the tips. However I have heard various things said at SRF over the years about falling asleep during meditation so include them as well and some of my own suggestions.
1. Sleepatation and meditation are two entirely different states of consciousness.. Falling asleep during meditation is a bad practice to get in because it can become a habit.
2. Keep posture straight.
3. Continue to keep eyes slightly lifted.
4. If you are meditating with others and near someone who falls asleep: tap them lightly so they wake up. It is not rude to help in this way. It is rude to fall asleep in meditation and thus effecting the meditation of others.
5. Falling asleep during meditation has the effect of sleepiness for all involved so if one or several people do it in a group it effects the vibrations of the whole room.
6. Falling asleep or nodding off leaves one open to subconscious states and tramp spirits.
7. If you are drowsy; double breathe and then tense and relax the body several times.
8. I have put coins or other objects on my head so if my head falls forward i will hear the coin or object fall and wake up.
9. I have also doused cold water over my head or ducked my head under cold water to refresh myself.
10. Practice the energization exercises or one or two of them in the fresh air to refresh yourself.
11. Open a window to bring in some air.
12. It may not be possible because of a work schedule but try to get more sleep.
Otherwise it may be better to take a short nap and return to meditation refreshed.
13. Meditation and Sleepatation are as far apart as nite and day. Meditation by definition is becoming more aware sleep is a totally different biological state. If you have no idea what happened during meditation you were asleep.
14. Nodding off is a passive state unlike meditation where you are actively aware.
15. I remember Brother Turiyananda saying that at times he had a hard time staying awake in meditation. At those times he would practice meditation in standing position next to a wall.
16. For more help on this subject: also check out 'Position of the Eyes' under 'The Zone of Silence'... page#2
17. Lastly but most importantly; it helps tremendously to have a guru who can help you through the many challenges one can face on the spiritual path and in meditation.
Jai Guru
