Lesson 3: How to Use Your Sleep Time to Empower Your Desires
Sleep time is one of the most under-rated aspects of our daily experience in our western culture. When I studied Jungian psychology and dream analysis with the Edgar Cayce folks in the Masters program in transpersonal psychology at Atlantic University in Virginia Beach, my eyes were opened to the power of the time when my eyes are closed! We’ll look at dreams in more depth in Lesson 11. At this point, I’d like to help you learn how to use self-hypnosis or auto-suggestion to empower your desires.
“For amazing results, get the deepest part of your mind to go to work for you. Back this with emotion power and the combination is terrific.” –Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
Self-hypnosis or auto-suggestion are terms which apply to all suggestions you give yourself through any of your five senses. It is a very safe and powerful way to utilize your own powerful subconscious mind. You can learn more about the history and use of self-hypnosis as an adjunct to psychotherapy here.
My favorite and most successful way to use self-hypnosis is just before bedtime. When you’re in what’s known as the hypnogogic state as you drift off to sleep, your mind is especially suggestible. I use an audiotape in a player built into my clock-radio to play a tape that was professionally recorded for this purpose. The awesome tape (yes, I still have an audio tape player that’s how old this tape is!) I’ve used for many years is based on self-hypnosis techniques taught by Edgar Cayce. This CD program gives you instructions on how to create your own tape or CD, and also a sample session you can use like I do.
You can also make your own recording with your own voice, which is very powerful. Here’s an example of what you might record, depending on what you want to attract into your life:
“I have the most uplifting a fun relationship. We are dancing and playing together, having good times with our friends. I see my partner across the room and he gives me a big smile. I can’t wait to talk to him later about his views on the party and what all his friends are up to. He walks over to me and takes my hand. We head outside for some fresh air and a look at the full moon and stars in the night sky. I can hear the waves lapping at the shore nearby. It’s a magical night.”
You can extend your emotionalized musings to about 20 minutes. Leave a short leader of about a minute on your tape so you can do the relaxation exercise, below, first.
When you’re ready to go to sleep, start your tape. Lie in bed and relax. Take a deep breath and feel each part of your body relax a little more as you mentally check in with your feet, legs, abdomen, chest, arms, face, eyes and scalp. Take another deep breath.
Then relax and listen to your auto-suggestions as you drift off to sleep. If you fall asleep, that’s great. If not, come back to awareness slowly by moving your feet and hands gently before you open your eyes.
Try it tonight!
