The Interdependent Relationship Between Deep Sleep and Peace: Techniques for Restorative Rest

Reading the headline might lead one to wonder whether deep sleep brings peace or if peace precedes sleep. In reality, these two states are interdependent. This article discusses both states as its central focus. Regardless of profession or business, we are busy throughout the day. The deeper the sleep we get at night, the more cheerful our daily routine becomes.

Nutritious and sattvic food is essential for keeping the body, mind, and emotions healthy. Eastern scriptures mention the significant role of sleep alongside diet. Modern science and research also indicate the same. Therefore, nowadays, conscious individuals pay attention to food, but sleep often does not rank high on people's priorities.

This article presents several practices to achieve deep sleep at night. In fact, it is better to sleep a little later and fall asleep immediately than to sleep for 5-6 minutes and toss and turn for a long time. Deep sleep, or 'Sushupti,' is called a state of supreme bliss. In deep sleep, there is no distinction between male or female, king or pauper. At this time, the individual is free from all perception and burden.

We have all experienced waking up feeling refreshed on some days and not on others after sleeping all night. It appears that only in deep sleep does cosmic energy refresh the body, mind, emotions, and consciousness. Regardless of wealth, honor, status, or prestige, insomnia leads to memory loss, lack of interest, constipation, stress, and anxiety. These factors are said to be the causative elements for diseases like cancer in the future.

• How to Achieve Deep Sleep?

For deep sleep, the evening meal should be light. This depends on how much we adhere to it. One cannot reach a destination just by looking at a map; one must walk. Moreover, it would be excellent if the food was always vegetarian. If that is not possible, the evening meal must be vegetarian.

Now, let's connect to the methods for increasing deep sleep. Spending some time in the sun during the day is considered very good, while the sleeping room should be as dark as possible. It is said that the chemical called 'Melatonin,' which aids sleep, is produced sufficiently in darkness. Even if we don't know the name of this chemical, we have experienced a stinging or burning sensation in our eyes when sleep begins to set in.

• Activities that Aid Deep Sleep

Before sleeping, massage the navel and the limbs with oil. When massaging this way, do it at least eleven times in the direction of the clock's hands using the thumb, index, and middle fingers, and then reverse the direction eleven times.

Applying oil to the navel is said to reach all parts of the body. The navel is the field of Kundalini energy. It is said that in deep sleep, or 'Sushupti,' cosmic energy enters us. From here, energy is distributed to the body through the chakras.

We often say that the deer runs elsewhere searching for the musk fragrance located in its own navel. But we are no less than that, and few understand the importance of the navel. In the story of the Ramayana, Vibhishana said that Ravana could only be killed by striking an arrow in his navel. Then we heard that Rama killed Ravana by striking an arrow in his navel. It seems that not only Ravana and the deer, but the life force of all of us resides in the navel.

Similarly, the importance of applying oil to the hands and feet is not seen as less than applying it to the navel. The tips of the fingers and toes have energy points connected to the brain. Likewise, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet have points related to the abdomen.

Looking at the structure of the body, the fingers and toes are farthest from the Kundalini area. Once energy flows smoothly to those points, it will certainly reach other areas. Furthermore, upon deeper understanding, diagrams show that the base of every finger has a direct connection to some sense organ.

• Express Gratitude and Grace

After this, remember your parents and realize your existence is due to them. Various dimensions might have influenced what you became later in life. But every parent does what they know and what they can for their children.

No research can quantify the value of the body, mind, wealth, and time invested by parents in their children. Therefore, express gratitude towards them before sleeping every night. After this, show appropriate respect and affection to family members.

Similarly, it is said that a Guru is met by fortune in life. Express grace to whomever you consider your Guru. A Guru is not only someone who accepts the disciple's surrender but also a receptacle for unloading worries. Offer all the good, bad, intentional, or unintentional deeds of the day to the Guru. When everything is surrendered, the mind becomes empty. Only then is there space for the Goddess of Sleep.

• Chant Mantras Before Sleeping

If you have a mantra you have been chanting, chant it before sleeping, and start a mantra focusing on the breath. First: I am happy. Second: I am healthy. Third: I am peaceful. Start chanting this twenty-one times, saying 'I' when inhaling and 'am happy' when exhaling.

After this, chant another twenty-one times saying 'I' when inhaling and 'am healthy' when exhaling. Finally, chant twenty-one times saying 'I' when inhaling and 'am peaceful' when exhaling. Doing this focuses attention on the breath sixty-three times.

Once the breath becomes rhythmic, the mind lightens. The feeling moves from happiness to peace. The mind remains in the present. Restlessness becomes zero. The mind does not wander into the past or future. The mind is freed from the unrest caused by imagination and reasoning.

• Inspection of Body Parts

The Karmendriyas (organs of action) execute the commands of our senses. They are not satisfied merely with food and cleanliness. Upon reaching the bed in the evening, inspect the body parts starting from the toes upwards. It is said that paying attention to others is love, and loving oneself is meditation. Looking at anything with the mind's eye is love and meditation. Express affection to each body part according to its function.

After this, the body feels light, as if it doesn't exist, or feels drowsy. At this point, if you slip into sleep, you reach deep slumber. There will be no startling, waking up, or dreaming. Chant this mantra continuously for twenty-one days. You will experience the refreshment within yourself. You won't need to rely on anyone's sermons, articles, or scriptures. From the twenty-second day, you won't even need to remember, 'Now I will chant the mantra.' It starts naturally as soon as you lie down on the bed.

• Actions to Perform Immediately Upon Waking

Upon waking, if you have a mantra you usually recite, chant it first, and then start chanting the pre-sleep mantras in reverse order. Start with 'I am peaceful,' then 'am healthy,' and conclude with 'I am happy,' chanting twenty-one times each. What needs to be remembered is that sleep should end with 'I am peaceful,' and waking up should conclude with 'I am happy.' Having a feeling of happiness upon waking maintains a positive mindset throughout the day.

After that, remember the body parts and request them to remain active throughout the day. Recall the tasks to be done during the day. Finally, converse mentally with parents and Guru, feeling that you are receiving blessings.

Let's wake up every morning with a light heart. If possible, practice yoga for an hour and a half. Exercise, Pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation refresh the body, mind, emotions, and consciousness. If time for yoga practice is scarce on any day, lie down on the bed, turn supine, stretch both arms above the head, and stretch both legs straight.

Stretching the arms, legs, and body straight also stretches the spine and activates all seven chakras. While stretching the body this way, the anal sphincter and lower abdomen should also be stretched. Do this at least five times, holding for ten seconds. Stretching the body like this is a short, complete exercise. Afterward, gently twist and rotate the ears a couple of times.

In conclusion, deep sleep at night is a boon for resting from physical and mental activities. The amount of time one sleeps does not follow a single rule for everyone. Meditators, yogis, and the elderly might need less sleep, while children might need more. Adults depend on their body's requirements.

Only a healthy, happy, and peaceful person can work hard and progress to their full potential. Such people also have loving and harmonious family and social relationships. Never make the mistake of ignoring sleep. The chemicals, or nutrients for the body, mind, and brain, are produced around the cycle of sleep. Study this subject, understand it, and experience it. Let's learn to live life lovingly, not just dragging it along somehow.