Falling asleep while meditating

[Annemieke]

I read somewhere that sleep is the best meditation. Can't remember who said that, but I agree. If you keep dropping off when you want to meditate, I don't think it matters at all. It is a different kind of sleep.
The last thing you want to do is having coffee before to prevent this: coffee, like alcohol, is the enemy of meditation!

[PJLondon]

Whenever people ask about my morning meditations this is inevitably one of the first questions that comes up - "don't you want to just fall right back to sleep?". I can't say it's happened to me so far, although I would be interested to know how others discreetly time their sessions to ensure they don't over-run or drift so deeply into meditative state that they're late for their day.

[Annemieke]

I got three old-fashioned egg-timers. Rather than just one, in case I think that I might not have heard it, or that it has stuck or something.
When I haven't heard any, I know it definitely isn't time yet!

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by Annemieke

I read somewhere that sleep is the best meditation. Can't remember who said that, but I agree. If you keep dropping off when you want to meditate, I don't think it matters at all. It is a different kind of sleep.
The last thing you want to do is having coffee before to prevent this: coffee, like alcohol, is the enemy of meditation!

Hello,
Got to agree with you,when I do my 45 minute afternoon meditation I open my eyes and look at the clock and I am usually within 5 minutes of my set time limit,habit I suppose!
But I always get up and walk around because its mid afternoon,I feel refreshed mentally,not so much a physical thing,but that's my age and health.

The best time for meditation is early morning or early evening,we are so used to sleeping at a set time,we become acclimatised,and we have to be,because this world dictates our bedtime,work commitments are a very necessary and productive time for our minds and bodies,stay at home mothers too need to be aware that their responsibilities stop when the kids are tucked up in bed and hubby is fast asleep,and you are tired out too!

No wonder folk fall asleep during meditation, they are experiencing a total relaxation of the conscious mind, and the astral body well it gets to relax too during sleep,the astral needs rest as well and it soars off into other realms revitalising for the next days work.

Its such a fascinating world we inhabit,but work and sleep should be proportionate,I used to work a normal 8 hour day,sometimes and very often 12 hour days, add to that 3 hours travel and you end up with 9 hours left for eating,showering,socialising,playing with the kids,how much time does that leave to rest not only the physical body but the astral too is tired,so if you are meditating and falling asleep then it matters not,as long as you sleep enough to recharge your physically and mentally drained body!

And alcohol as you mentioned, but I loved a drink of ice cold beer after work,not one but a lot,being in a welding helmet all day,the heat,the fumes and metal dust all washed down with an icy cold beer/s!
But, like all things we do to excess we have to pay a price,ill health,stress and mental issues,and in the middle of all this we have to find time to meditate!

I liked the simplicity of your post Annemieke,I really do love simple things,but with meaning,you posed your question perfectly,not too long,not too short,but its succinct and to the point,that's why I gave you a more detailed answer than normal,if only life was that simple.

Kind Regards Billy.