Sleep tight
May 2009
By Life Positive
A good night’s sleep is a priceless treasure. Readers share their sleep rituals
Ensuring a good night’s sleep begins during the day by working hard and exercising the body through jogging, walks and daily Qi Gong exercises. I have a light meal at night two or three hours before my bedtime. My evening meditations help me further to relax. Finally, I chant mantras a few times like “Hanuman Bajrang Bali Sita Ban Kee Kunjkali”. If something has troubled me during the day, I write them on a paper in order to free the mind. I surrender the rest to the Almighty by having complete faith in Him.
DR. SURESH DUGGAL, VIA EMAIL
This has been my practice for falling asleep, and I enjoy a baby’s sleep every night. As I lay my head on the pillow, I spend a few moments in deep gratitude for all the wonderful things that happened during the day. It could be something joyous like a relative recovering from an illness, or happiness at meeting an old friend. Even if nothing ‘significant’ has occurred that day, I still find tremendous peace in appreciating the good meal I had, the beautiful sunset I may have witnessed, or even a challenging event that helped me get stronger. Sweet sleep always comes and lulls me into peaceful slumber, and when I wake up the first thought is one of gratitude for another beautiful day.
NAJOO SOHONIE, MUMBAI
I try to be honest in my dealings, clean in my habits, helpful in my relationships, maintain a positive attitude and keep myself busy throughout, except when I rest! I silently say a prayer when I go to bed: ‘Thanks for allowing another day of peace and happiness. Protect me, my parents and my family. Let my mind be sound and steady, filled with noble thoughts. Protect us from wants and chronic ailments and from fear.’
Early morning, the moment I wake up, I repeat the same prayer, first seeking Mother Earth’s forgiveness for stepping over her.
This practice, I owe to my father. I have not removed my parents from my prayers, although they are not with me. I am 65 and so far, I am blessed with sound sleep at night.
M G WARRIER, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Normally I go to bed at 10:30 pm and follow the practices given below regularly.
I close my eyes, and mentally relax each part of my body. Then I take a few deep breaths till my mind gets relaxed. At this point, I affirm mentally, “I am sorry if I have hurt someone’s feeling knowingly or unknowingly, and I forgive those who have hurt me knowingly or unknowingly.” Then I try to send some positive feelings to my family members and friends, visualising them living happily. At the end, I programme my mind to wake me up at 5 am next morning, and not disturb me at all before. As a Reiki practitioner, I also send Reiki to all those in need and for the entire Planet Earth as well. I have very sound sleep daily.
RAJESH GUPTA, ON FACEBOOK
Every day, I say the prayer,
‘Kara charana kritam vaak kaayajam
Karmajam vaa
Shravana nayanajam vaa
Maanasam vaa aparaadham,
Vihitamavihitam vaa sarvametat kshamasva
Jaya Jaya karunaabdhee
Shree Mahaadeva Shambo”
[O Lord, please forgive the wrong actions I have done knowingly or unknowingly, either through my organs of action ( hands, feet, speech ) or through my organs of perception (ears, eyes) or by my mind. Glory unto Thee, Oh Lord, who is the ocean of compassion.
I also to try to say other prayers taken from the Sarva Dharma Prayer of the Gandhi Ashram. This really helps me feel relaxed and peaceful. On days when I am worried about something, I consciously make an effort to surrender all my cares and think of only the positive events of the day.
JAMUNA RANGACHARI, MUMBAI