thelerner Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) I'm looking into Deep Sleep, sometimes known as Slow Wave Sleep (SWS). Its considered the most rejuvenating and restorative sleep stage. Its when the glymphatic system removes neurotoxins and beta-amyloids**. PHYSIOLOGY OF N3 SLEEP EEG: slow-wave brainwaves Decreased heart rate Decreased blood pressure Release of growth hormone No eye movements EXPERIENCES DURING N3 SLEEP Very difficult to wake up from deep sleep If awoken, disorientation and grogginess FUNCTIONS OF N3 SLEEP Cell repair and rejuvenation Replenishing glycogen Long-term memory Removal of waste from the brain: glymphatic system I want to find out if any meditation style or length of meditation either simulates Deep Sleep or increases it at night. Anecdotally things that help general sleep tend to increase Deep Sleep ie not eating, drinking a few hours before bed, limiting or eliminating caffeine and alcohol etc., I found studies where meditation increased REM sleep but haven't found one yet for Deep. I'll keep looking. While branches of Taoism took dream work very far, many sages wrote that deep dreamless sleep was the real aim at night. Try Pink Noise: (https://www.sleepscore.com/extend-deep-sleep/)A recent study by Northwestern Medicine found that pink noise, like waves lapping on a beach or trees rustling in the wind, increased time spent in deep sleep. While the study only observed thirteen participants, it’s an exciting discovery in the world of sleep solutions. A 2014 study in U of Fribourg found audio hypnotics could increase deep sleep by 80%. Exercise helps too. **https://landing.ouraring.com/ln1d-stages-of-sleep?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=IP_US-CA_G|s-o-s-ln1_ln1d&utm_term={keyword}&utm_content={creative}&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAiAg9rxBRADEiwAxKDTuoQSd0dJ7KH_pXfUGCE2BUnxBE_EjbftNMK23VXFI7-tDFSft8kBchoCfNUQAvD_BwE) Edited February 2, 2020 by thelerner 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
senseless virtue Posted February 2, 2020 Shuigong or Sleeping Qigong is the style you seek. There are similar teachings also in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, but I am not familiar with these. Speaking from personal experience, I have not found any as accessible and complete Daoist alchemy style as Shuigong. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
senseless virtue Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) 34 minutes ago, thelerner said: I want to find out if any meditation style or length of meditation either simulates Deep Sleep or increases it at night. I wanted to add that this is the entire premise of highest yogic sleep, regardless of the style. Deep sleep while remaining fully aware in that unconsciousness is very healing and powerful meditation. In the highest level it leads to seeing luminosity of one's natural state which as a matter of fact is a direct way to enlightenment. Edited February 2, 2020 by virtue 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilumairen Posted February 2, 2020 Perhaps this post @steve made a year ago, may point in the general direction (although I have some reservations regarding what was highlighted as "experiences during N3 sleep" in the OP as they would relate to "dream yoga.") 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted February 2, 2020 I am experiencing what I refer to as 'the grey zone' in morning sleep. I come fully awake as usual, but remain still. awareness and body bouyant in a zone of extreme relaxation and still calm presence... Full lucid mind awareness but body soon returns to sleep. Mind enters and exits dreaming without losing consciousness. Fluid intermingling of dream and waking local awareness. Float in this zone for extended periods notion of self, localized unique personhood diffuses out into bouyant calm presence and witnessing 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwai Posted February 2, 2020 57 minutes ago, silent thunder said: I am experiencing what I refer to as 'the grey zone' in morning sleep. I come fully awake as usual, but remain still. awareness and body bouyant in a zone of extreme relaxation and still calm presence... Full lucid mind awareness but body soon returns to sleep. Mind enters and exits dreaming without losing consciousness. Fluid intermingling of dream and waking local awareness. Float in this zone for extended periods notion of self, localized unique personhood diffuses out into bouyant calm presence and witnessing This might be of interest to you — Spoiler 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted February 3, 2020 I don't have much info to offer in response to the OP. I can say that I've spent a fair amount of time with dream and sleep yoga practices. The Tibetan approach to both subjects encourages behavior that leads to healthier, deeper, and more restful sleep. In addition, I never feel more rested than after experiencing lucidity during dream or deep sleep. I HIGHLY recommend these practices to everyone interested but a warning, they required considerable devotion and patience for me. Some come to it more naturally. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted February 3, 2020 PS - I just came across this, recently released by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche I don't have a copy... yet It looks interesting - https://ligmincha.org/product/sacred-sleep/ 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted February 3, 2020 PSS - an online Sleep Yoga course is in the works. It will be available on Ligmincha Learning. No release date yet. I also believe Rinpoche is working on a Sleep Yoga book. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilumairen Posted February 9, 2020 On 2/2/2020 at 10:31 PM, steve said: PS - I just came across this, recently released by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche I don't have a copy... yet It looks interesting - https://ligmincha.org/product/sacred-sleep/ The first track is a guided sleep meditation which gently brings one to rest in one's own heart. Listened to it the last two nights as I drifted off, and slept quite well. Thanks 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
