eX: Navigating Altered Consciousness: paddling down the river ~ following our own states of altered consciousness to better follow others

Thanks everyone - such a treat to have some sharing between our times of being together . . . I too am enjoying my dreams and at times having time to linger In the in-between world between sleep and wake. -- Sometimes I fall asleep so easily and other times, something in me is alert or boingy even when I'm tired. -- I'm still working on identifying the experience more and wondering??? What keeps me awake ? and What does it want from me? Maybe I'll learn more tonight. Sweet dreams.

Reflections on waking from slumber-

I have been been pleased by bringing awareness to waking up, especially when I can wake without an alarm. Although, even when I set an alarm- I feel I have this awareness of time and usually wake up before my alarm.

I am awakened by a sense of consciousness. Like my awake brain/soul calls on me- I sense that I am done with sleep. But my sleeping brain tries to call me back. I sense my sleepy self and awake self talking it out for a bit. My awake brain warns me that my back and body won't feel as good if I fall back asleep, but my sleepy brain try to convince me I'll be fine and I should surrender to a little more sleep.

Sometimes- if I wake during a dream, I feel the dream calling me back. I get excited that perhaps I can return to where I left off in the dream. Although I don't think I am ever successful doing this.

But I feel this strange suspension in between unconsciousness and consciousness. It feels delicious - like I have a little portal between these two worlds that is open only for a few moments in the morning. I have remembered more of my dreams on these mornings that I am paying attention to this awakening. It is fascinating how when you set an intention to remember a dream that you do. I love the image of catching the tail of a dream and pulling it down and you can catch a little before it evaporates. I think John O'Donahue talks about that in one of his talks.

Any way- it has been fun to pay attention to this process of awakening.

In sleepy wonder,

Dana

Out with the old, in with the new: by some strange coincidence, David and I have decided on a new bed, and I just started waking up with a light alarm. Can't say I have settled into a pattern with sleep yet, except how eternally grouchy I am if I get interrupted when falling asleep. Dreams have been markedly clearer in the last two weeks. Onward and forward. Here's to completely stopping as well.

You are welcome, Dana. Ditto to thanks, everyone.

My ongoing research waking: lucid seeing & hearing inside, then sound outside & olfactory (sleep with windows open) outside.

Going to sleep tracking hint: keep not pad or auditory recording device handy to note (in half sleepy state) how you fall asleep.

Sleep on,

Stan

Thank you two for leading us is such a a beautiful guided visualization and lesson. Thanks everyone for sharing and learning together.

i enjoyed waking up naturally and slowly today. I’ll share some of what I notice in that in between altered state later this week. Dana