I've meditated consistently for several years but never tried this approach. After watching this video, I tried my first midnight meditation: it was outstanding! I went to bed at 10:30 pm and awoke at 2:30 am to use the restroom. I felt that I was riding the natural flow of my sleep cycle and that I had just returned from my first dip into deep, relaxed sleep. I assumed a meditative posture in bed. I was getting sleepy again, so rather than focus on any particular point, I used the "just sitting" method. It fit perfectly. It took only minutes for my body to return to its sleeping rhythm, but I remained fully conscious as though observing my descent from waking to sleeping. Before long all personal boundaries dissolved and I was aware of an infinite presence within myself. I sat effortlessly this way for the full hour. When I laid down and went back to sleep, this feeling of presence stayed with me through the night and into the morning. The feeling of awareness emanated from my chest - my mind was still and peaceful. As I prepared for work, I felt as though I had pulled the peace of deep sleep with me into the day. It was sublime. I realized after doing this that it is not sleep that makes me feel refreshed - it's the relief from limited identity. Sometimes I get this relief in sleep, but it's much more a product of conscious meditation. It's easy to let troublesome subconscious processes continue while we sleep; what we really desire is inner stillness, and that is achieved only through meditation. I've done this three nights a week since then and my practice has improved dramatically. It sounds hard to give up an hour of sleep a night, but I'll tell you from my experience - I don't miss it at all! Not only do I NOT miss it, I am feeling more relaxed, refreshed, and focused than I've ever felt from sleep alone. If you don't enjoy the sound of your alarm, try chugging two glasses of water before bed. When you wake up to use the restroom, meditate. Shinzen ain't kidding - this will change your life!
That is awesome, I will make a practice of it after getting into it on regular basis. I have done this from time to time and felt the benefits but this is the first video I have seen on it.
I did do this a few times and years ago and in retrospect I think this was what made a difference, but to hear that other people experience this through the practice I know understand this was the variable. I used to do things on my own and experienced some mind blowing things but it threw me off...now that we have the internet I am beginning to see there is a science to this. It's weird that before I thought I was going crazy.
Reminds me of lucid dreaming techniques. A lot of techniques to have lucid dreams involve waking up at like 2, and then fall back asleep but this time keeping yourself conscious. You fall asleep but since you used a technique to stay aware you will be in a lucid dream. I imagine that your interesting meditation sessions could have a lot to do with your sleep cycles and how your brain is about to fall into REM sleep
There is a headband now called the Aurora that can apparently reliably induce lucid dreaming all the time, I imagine if you apply meditative techniques as well it could be a very effective combination. This is the kind of powerful synergistic effect technology will increasingly have on the path that Shinzen has often talked about.
The canonical hours that Shinzen mentions are the Liturgy of the Hours. It was changed after Council Vatican II, but it's still observed by a few people (though all priests are supposed to observe them). We call them Laudes (the first one you do, right before sunrise, before you do absolutely anything else), then we have the Médias (9 am, noon, 3 pm), Vésperas (as close as possible to sunset), then the Completas (right before sleep, no matter what time you go to sleep), and then you have the Officium Divinum (which used to be the Matinas, which Council Vatican II abolished and changed), which you to in the wee hours of the morning (about 3 am).
To meditate at 3/4 AM is a great practice specially for those who practice lucid dreams which is exactly what it means being awake while you dream. The idea of night meditation ( but it can be achieve in day time too) is to reach the "hypnagogic field" and observe any kind of images, sounds, little scenario forming in your mind without thinking and thus remain awake, experiencing loosening of the ego, becoming a watcher between two worlds... Hopes this will help.
I like the part about exploring into visual experience. I've been exploring photorealistic painting from life since I was 15 (I'm now 26) and I was able to become proficient at it in just a few years. I joke sometimes and call it a mini-enlightenment because prior to having explored my visual senses, I never had any idea what I was looking at. It was as though I had never opened my eyes until then. From it has come many insights, often in the form of visual metaphor. For example, one thing I realized was that my sight is two-dimensional and that the only thing I ever see is a flat plane of shapes imbued with colors. It is all one very simple plane regardless of how the objects in my line of sight change, it is always the same internal plane. So, through the oneness in my vision, I have seen a metaphorical link to the oneness and non-separateness of reality. We don't have pencil lines drawn around us either. :)
Hari Patel Hi! I watched this one six months ago or so, so I don't quite remember the video in detail. But I find that sitting late at night is helpful because I find myself to be in a naturally more receptive and relaxed state. The only issue is that it's more difficult to stay awake and alert.
Very interesting. In the lucid dreaming community there are techniques called WILD(wake induced lucid dreams) where one directly enters a dream from a state of consciousness. This generally involves waking up at night, arousing your mind a little, and then going back to sleep while maintaining consciousness. With a still body and mind you can fall asleep without ever losing consciousness and then have a dream world form around you. Seems to be something like the recreational form of this kind of practice. I haven't practiced lucid dreaming for some years but I can absolutely envision how combining sleep and dreams with meditation could lead to some powerful experiences.
Ive been night sitting for hours for a long time now. You become sensitized to collective consciousness being asleep in most beings around you. It feels more natural than the loudness of daytime now. Ego-human seem f**king insane
Ego dormio sed cor meum vigilat. I have a sleep-tracking device that monitors sleep-cycles that I've been using to work on my sleep quality lately. Per chance just a few days ago I used it in a meditation-session, entirely out of curiosity and to my surprise I had dipped into the deep sleep section of the curve in meditation. No Zen slouch! Tonight I decided on a whim to rewatch this video. Very interesting!
I once had to drive my grandparents to city to see doctor and for some insomniac reason the whole night and forenoon before that I could not get even one ounce of sleep, and I still had to drive, it was terrible, luckily I did not crash.
I have done this meditation and felt/whitnessed my body and consciousness separate. At the time I did not know what this outcome or achievement would be beneficial for. So I stoped the practise. Now I feel, that it would help to clear mental and physical unrest during these hours 3-5 in the morning, so I will start again, let's see what comes of it. It is not an easy practice and one needs to stay focussed like walking on a tight rope but it is doable. Namaste
I think I've experienced this before...to a lesser degree. But I felt sort of more in touch all day and a bit more vulnerable to compassion so to speak.
Very interesting. Reminds me of what many mammals do in terms of one hemisphere (left or right brain) going to sleep while the other remains conscious or functional. Birds do this for migration, cows do it to continue standing while sleeping, while this is (in a sense) the opposite, we are conscious while our body sleeps. Formless or thoughtless? Half of us is resting, while just part of our brain remains conscious (or the heart of course). Anyone with a fmi scanner nearby to test this? ;)
I sit every night befor sleep, up to an hour or more, been doing it for decades. Never needed anyone to tell me to do it, it simply happens. There's an awful lot of yap going on here, most of which does not seem necessary, unless someone is making a living out of these talks I guess. It's all very simple really and what happens simply happens when it needs to happen if you're open to it.
I have two question (1) An all-night "Yaza" similar Lucid dream experience? (2)That's a strange Headset Wireless Microphone Does it have a particular function?
I'm wondering if it's ok doing a walking meditation during a yaza or should one really sit? I tend to always be fairly tired so I suspect I'd be doing a lot of zen lurches. My Plan is to take a 4 hour walking meditation or so outside in the night where I can be all alone. Then again I see lurching being extremely productive if I can actually stick to it. Though for some reason I find it hard to stick to things when I'm in my apartment...
I've meditated consistently for several years but never tried this approach. After watching this video, I tried my first midnight meditation: it was outstanding!
I went to bed at 10:30 pm and awoke at 2:30 am to use the restroom. I felt that I was riding the natural flow of my sleep cycle and that I had just returned from my first dip into deep, relaxed sleep. I assumed a meditative posture in bed.
I was getting sleepy again, so rather than focus on any particular point, I used the "just sitting" method. It fit perfectly. It took only minutes for my body to return to its sleeping rhythm, but I remained fully conscious as though observing my descent from waking to sleeping. Before long all personal boundaries dissolved and I was aware of an infinite presence within myself. I sat effortlessly this way for the full hour.
When I laid down and went back to sleep, this feeling of presence stayed with me through the night and into the morning. The feeling of awareness emanated from my chest - my mind was still and peaceful. As I prepared for work, I felt as though I had pulled the peace of deep sleep with me into the day. It was sublime.
I realized after doing this that it is not sleep that makes me feel refreshed - it's the relief from limited identity. Sometimes I get this relief in sleep, but it's much more a product of conscious meditation. It's easy to let troublesome subconscious processes continue while we sleep; what we really desire is inner stillness, and that is achieved only through meditation.
I've done this three nights a week since then and my practice has improved dramatically. It sounds hard to give up an hour of sleep a night, but I'll tell you from my experience - I don't miss it at all! Not only do I NOT miss it, I am feeling more relaxed, refreshed, and focused than I've ever felt from sleep alone.
If you don't enjoy the sound of your alarm, try chugging two glasses of water before bed. When you wake up to use the restroom, meditate.
Shinzen ain't kidding - this will change your life!
That is awesome, I will make a practice of it after getting into it on regular basis. I have done this from time to time and felt the benefits but this is the first video I have seen on it.
I did do this a few times and years ago and in retrospect I think this was what made a difference, but to hear that other people experience this through the practice I know understand this was the variable. I used to do things on my own and experienced some mind blowing things but it threw me off...now that we have the internet I am beginning to see there is a science to this. It's weird that before I thought I was going crazy.
I always wake up between 3 and 4am and after sharing your experience I will do this and see what happens. Thanks for sharing :)
Reminds me of lucid dreaming techniques. A lot of techniques to have lucid dreams involve waking up at like 2, and then fall back asleep but this time keeping yourself conscious. You fall asleep but since you used a technique to stay aware you will be in a lucid dream.
I imagine that your interesting meditation sessions could have a lot to do with your sleep cycles and how your brain is about to fall into REM sleep
There is a headband now called the Aurora that can apparently reliably induce lucid dreaming all the time, I imagine if you apply meditative techniques as well it could be a very effective combination. This is the kind of powerful synergistic effect technology will increasingly have on the path that Shinzen has often talked about.
The canonical hours that Shinzen mentions are the Liturgy of the Hours. It was changed after Council Vatican II, but it's still observed by a few people (though all priests are supposed to observe them). We call them Laudes (the first one you do, right before sunrise, before you do absolutely anything else), then we have the Médias (9 am, noon, 3 pm), Vésperas (as close as possible to sunset), then the Completas (right before sleep, no matter what time you go to sleep), and then you have the Officium Divinum (which used to be the Matinas, which Council Vatican II abolished and changed), which you to in the wee hours of the morning (about 3 am).
He is so sweet
To meditate at 3/4 AM is a great practice specially for those who practice lucid dreams which is exactly what it means being awake while you dream. The idea of night meditation ( but it can be achieve in day time too) is to reach the "hypnagogic field" and observe any kind of images, sounds, little scenario forming in your mind without thinking and thus remain awake, experiencing loosening of the ego, becoming a watcher between two worlds...
Hopes this will help.
@Tom3064tom : Cool tom .
I have attended your hypnagogic class on micheal raduga chennel . 👌
I like the part about exploring into visual experience. I've been exploring photorealistic painting from life since I was 15 (I'm now 26) and I was able to become proficient at it in just a few years. I joke sometimes and call it a mini-enlightenment because prior to having explored my visual senses, I never had any idea what I was looking at. It was as though I had never opened my eyes until then. From it has come many insights, often in the form of visual metaphor. For example, one thing I realized was that my sight is two-dimensional and that the only thing I ever see is a flat plane of shapes imbued with colors. It is all one very simple plane regardless of how the objects in my line of sight change, it is always the same internal plane. So, through the oneness in my vision, I have seen a metaphorical link to the oneness and non-separateness of reality. We don't have pencil lines drawn around us either. :)
its cool to see the community around different spiritual videos:) is this technique powerful?
Hari Patel Hi! I watched this one six months ago or so, so I don't quite remember the video in detail. But I find that sitting late at night is helpful because I find myself to be in a naturally more receptive and relaxed state. The only issue is that it's more difficult to stay awake and alert.
Cool!! I am defiantly going to try it. Maybe more susceptible to samhadi experiences.
Two dimensional sight? Cate to elaborate? I've experienced what he mentioned. A continuity in sleep and waking state. Barriers dissolved
Very interesting. In the lucid dreaming community there are techniques called WILD(wake induced lucid dreams) where one directly enters a dream from a state of consciousness. This generally involves waking up at night, arousing your mind a little, and then going back to sleep while maintaining consciousness. With a still body and mind you can fall asleep without ever losing consciousness and then have a dream world form around you. Seems to be something like the recreational form of this kind of practice. I haven't practiced lucid dreaming for some years but I can absolutely envision how combining sleep and dreams with meditation could lead to some powerful experiences.
Ive been night sitting for hours for a long time now.
You become sensitized to collective consciousness being asleep in most beings around you. It feels more natural than the loudness of daytime now. Ego-human seem f**king insane
Ego dormio sed cor meum vigilat.
I have a sleep-tracking device that monitors sleep-cycles that I've been using to work on my sleep quality lately. Per chance just a few days ago I used it in a meditation-session, entirely out of curiosity and to my surprise I had dipped into the deep sleep section of the curve in meditation. No Zen slouch! Tonight I decided on a whim to rewatch this video. Very interesting!
I did a sleep study at a hospital and started meditating. It registered as a sleep state and the doctor would not believe i was meditating
I once had to drive my grandparents to city to see doctor and for some insomniac reason the whole night and forenoon before that I could not get even one ounce of sleep, and I still had to drive, it was terrible, luckily I did not crash.
I have done this meditation and felt/whitnessed my body and consciousness separate. At the time I did not know what this outcome or achievement would be beneficial for. So I stoped the practise. Now I feel, that it would help to clear mental and physical unrest during these hours 3-5 in the morning, so I will start again, let's see what comes of it. It is not an easy practice and one needs to stay focussed like walking on a tight rope but it is doable. Namaste
The subtitles were off, it's called yaza 夜座, if you are hearing impaired.
Buckmunster Fuller was on that altered sleep cycle and only slept about 4 hours a day most of his life!
I think I've experienced this before...to a lesser degree. But I felt sort of more in touch all day and a bit more vulnerable to compassion so to speak.
“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a (dark) room alone.”
- Blaise Pascal -
U r absolutely right
But a VERY helpful talk: THANK YOU.
Thank you 🙏 Namaste
Very interesting. Reminds me of what many mammals do in terms of one hemisphere (left or right brain) going to sleep while the other remains conscious or functional. Birds do this for migration, cows do it to continue standing while sleeping, while this is (in a sense) the opposite, we are conscious while our body sleeps. Formless or thoughtless? Half of us is resting, while just part of our brain remains conscious (or the heart of course). Anyone with a fmi scanner nearby to test this? ;)
Very few talks are available of yaza. Thanks for this.
Thank you
I sit every night befor sleep, up to an hour or more, been doing it for decades. Never needed anyone to tell me to do it, it simply happens. There's an awful lot of yap going on here, most of which does not seem necessary, unless someone is making a living out of these talks I guess. It's all very simple really and what happens simply happens when it needs to happen if you're open to it.
Ha, well said.
Song of Solomon 5.2 (not Psalms).
I find it makes my sleep less restful lol
I would love to attend your next retreat in Southern California. Any idea on when that may be?
My mood is so bad first thing in the morning
The Buddhas do but tell the way; it is for you to swelter at the task.
I have two question
(1) An all-night "Yaza" similar Lucid dream experience?
(2)That's a strange Headset Wireless Microphone
Does it have a particular function?
Lucio od
1. yea it's a lot like lucid dream but a little more deep...
2. that microphone is not wireless look carefully..
I'm wondering if it's ok doing a walking meditation during a yaza or should one really sit? I tend to always be fairly tired so I suspect I'd be doing a lot of zen lurches. My Plan is to take a 4 hour walking meditation or so outside in the night where I can be all alone. Then again I see lurching being extremely productive if I can actually stick to it. Though for some reason I find it hard to stick to things when I'm in my apartment...
What is the chart/poster behind shin zen?
what is a "whole night set" ? thanks a lot if somebody bothers to comment. :-)
whole night sit as in meditate all night
Is it availible for download the Picture behind shinzen? :)
Ani Ya'shen V'Libi ER. :)
MuMashuNaut
a'ni yeshe'na veli'bi er
אני ישנה ולבי ער
What is that image on the wall? I'm never seen that symbol.
that's shinzen's mandala of his entire system
this is like lucid dreaming, almost
Does he says something about "white people" at 0:20 min?
No
god, this dude could condense what he's trying to say in less than half the time he keeps droning on..
TipTop Kek he's doing his best to help everyone understand and cover all the bases.