Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Island of Presence Meditation (Premium)

Episode Date: March 24, 2021

This is a preview episode. Get the full episode, and many more, ad free, on our supporter's feed: https://getsleepy.com/support. The Island of Presence Meditation Tonight, Thomas guides us through a very special meditation. We'll practice the art of being present and enjoy an idyllic place to rest and recharge, far away from it all. 😴  Sound design: ocean waves.  About Get Sleepy Premium: Help support the podcast, and get: Monday and Wednesday night episodes (with zero ads) The exclusive Thursday night bonus episode Access to the entire back catalog (also ad-free) Premium sleep meditations, extra-long episodes and more! We'll love you forever. ❤️ Get a 7 day free trial, and join the Get Sleepy community here https://getsleepy.com/support. And thank you so, so much.  Tom, and the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link below to learn more and thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your support. This meditation is designed to relax your nervous system, which helps to induce sleep. Also, practices like these will train your mind to be present during the wakeful moments of life too. Training your mind to be present through meditation practice helps to build new pathways in your brain and makes it easier to respond wisely instead of impulsively when difficult

circumstances arise. It's similar to how you build muscle when you exercise regularly, but you can do this while you relax and drift off to sleep. And it's not just about avoiding negative thoughts. Meditation also makes it easier to recognize, savor, and be present in the wonderful moments that life brings. That's what we'll focus on tonight. Being present is about remembering, remembering that life happens in this moment and nowhere else. Not in the past and not in thinking about or planning for what's going to happen in the future. Inately, we know how to be in the moment. If you've ever spent time in nature and felt a deep sense of belonging, then you understand how it feels to be connected with your natural state of presence. A similar experience can be felt when we reach a state of flow, while playing an instrument for example, or sports, or just

doing something you really love. It's that sensation of being completely absorbed in whatever you're doing. But often instead of focusing on the moment at hand, we let our responsibilities, busyness, and an abundance of thinking take over. Thoughts and mental to-do lists can pile up until it feels like we're climbing a mountain, searching for a summit that doesn't seem to exist. that doesn't seem to exist. Of course, reflecting on what happened in the past and setting goals for the future are important things to do, but remembering the present, at least every once in a while can help you stay true to your values and enjoy the pleasant moments of life.

One of the best gateways into remembering is through the body. Whereas the mind has a tendency to wander, our physical body is always present, constantly gathering information about ourselves and our surroundings. So, let's connect to the body now and visit the island of Presence, where you will remember your true nature, where there are no problems or worries, only this moment. First, make sure you are nice and cozy. If anything feels off, see if you can shift or make an adjustment, so your position feels just right. Maybe you need to change the temperature, grab an extra blanket, stretch out a little, or just take a deep, long sigh. Once you are ready, we will move through all of the senses to help bring your focus to

your body. Close your eyes and become aware of your entire body in space. torso and head on the bed.