Section 1.1: The Mind's Mechanics

Imagine we’re in a music studio within your mind, tweaking the controls together as you pose that question. I’m ready to turn everything up to maximum.

Often, a significant part of your mind remains dormant.

During your waking hours, your ego takes charge, managing your schedule, work tasks, relationships, and future plans.

Honestly, your ego often feels like it’s dressed in khakis.

When night falls and you drift into sleep, your subconscious takes the reins. The longer you sleep, the more your subconscious dances through seemingly unrelated thoughts, searching for answers your analytical mind couldn’t find while awake.

Is your subconscious single? Because it sounds like a fun partner!

It’s like a couple with issues who end up sleeping in separate rooms.

To unlock your mind’s full capabilities, these two aspects need to interact. With both sides of your brain activated simultaneously, your challenges will seem less daunting, allowing you to approach problems from multiple perspectives instead of just one.

Altered States: Crash Course Psychology #10 - YouTube

This video explores the science behind altered states of consciousness, detailing their potential impacts on creativity and mental health.

Section 1.2: Scientific Insights

Is there any evidence supporting this notion?

First off, kindly refrain from speaking to me in that manner.

And yes, there is indeed scientific backing.

The mind in a waking state emits alpha waves between 9–11Hz, whereas during sleep, it produces theta waves ranging from 3.5–7.5Hz.

However, you can only emit one type of wave at a time.

How do we blur the boundaries between these two facets of yourself?

What strategies can we employ to mend this estranged relationship so these two can finally coexist harmoniously in your mind?

The solution is somewhat paradoxical.

There are transitional states surrounding your sleep cycles that can be harnessed to create a cerebral blend using the fresh elements of your psyche.

We need to awaken our subconscious to bring forth its flavor.

As you begin to fall asleep, you enter the hypnagogic state—a brief phase that lasts a few seconds to a few minutes, just before the deeper sleep cycles begin.

Remind you of an ex?

The last state is the hypnopompic phase, which occurs as you shift from sleep to wakefulness.

We will utilize these two transitions to access a form of transcendental meditation.

Section 2.1: Getting Started

Where do we begin?

If you could refrain from interrupting, we’ll kick things off by bridging the gap between your ego and subconscious in the hypnagogic state.

The concept originated from Thomas Edison, who would doze off in a chair with a metal object in his hand, positioned over a porcelain plate on the floor.

As he drifted into sleep, the object would drop, ringing against the plate, jolting him back to consciousness.

He existed in a liminal space between wakefulness and sleep.

As mentioned earlier, the hypnagogic state is the briefest of the sleep phases, lasting anywhere from 15 seconds to a few minutes.

Research indicates that just 15 seconds in this state can enhance creativity. So, you don’t need much time.

During this period, your brain will emit both alpha and theta waves simultaneously, allowing your ego and subconscious to finally interact.

Your analytical mind and intuition will work in tandem without the aid of psychedelic substances.

You may even encounter experiences akin to those induced by drugs, such as visual or auditory hallucinations, which are common during dreams.

Do not be alarmed.

This is because your brain releases DMT during sleep.

Those who fear psychedelic substances may find themselves having vivid experiences while asleep, akin to hallucinations.

How do you think you experienced those vivid dreams?

Section 2.2: Setting Intentions

Before you engage in this practice, intention is key.

Whenever I prepare for a transformative nap, I reflect on what I need to address in my life.

Sometimes, I ponder a musical progression I’m struggling with or a challenging conversation I need to have with a friend.

I hold onto whatever I need to resolve.

When the ego and subconscious interact, I can guide the erratic flow of my subconscious with my ego.

I liken my subconscious to a wayward dog, free of objectives, chasing every thought that crosses its path. However, with my ego involved, I can provide direction, giving it a focus.

In those fleeting moments within the hypnagogic state, it feels as if I’ve entered a heightened state of awareness.

Section 2.3: Impact on Sleep

Does this practice influence the rest of my sleep experience?

Why? Do you still doubt me?

Absolutely, it has impacted my sleep by making lucid dreaming more probable.

Having already blurred the line between my ego and subconscious, I become more attuned to my dreaming state and less likely to mistake it for reality.

While it isn’t guaranteed, I’ve provided my ego with an exercise in awareness during the sleep state.

Occasionally, I dream that I’m lying in bed, fully believing I’m awake and it’s all real.

Bravo, dear subconscious, you had me convinced initially.

Then, something fantastical occurs—a small dark cloud appears, prompting me to ponder its oddity.

I feel compelled to touch it, realizing the physics don’t align.

Ah, I’m dreaming.

I break through the walls of the room, soaring over London for my amusement, recognizing that everything around me is woven from the fabric of my own mind.

I’m in control here and free to do as I wish.

Honestly, it’s an exhilarating experience. If you enjoy that sort of thing, you might appreciate the positive side effects of engaging with the hypnagogic state, leading to empowering dreams.

Section 2.4: Exploring the Hypnopompic State

What about hypnopompic meditation?

Can I just write this article without interruptions? How are you even doing this? Is this happening in your dream?

If you must know, it’s significantly simpler than the hypnagogic practice Edison employed.

It’s essentially the reverse.

In the hypnagogic state, you strive to retain your waking awareness as you transition into sleep. In the hypnopompic state, we aim to maintain the sleeping state as we wake up.

You know that moment when you wake up in the middle of the night needing to use the restroom, yet you cling to your sleepiness to drift back off afterward?

It’s the same concept, but instead of heading to the restroom, we will meditate.

As you awaken, resist the urge to move. Instead, focus on the air entering your lungs and the subtle sensations in your muscles as you re-enter your body after a night of dreaming.

Concentrate on hovering above your thoughts and simply observe them.

I’ve had instances where my first thoughts were genuinely funny jokes I’d never encountered before, often disrupting my meditation due to laughter. I attribute that to connecting with a level of creativity I don’t usually access.

Did I mention I’m not delusional? My legal counsel insists I clarify that I’m not crazy. Can you please stop reading over my shoulder? I’m trying to engage with my audience!

If there’s ever a prime time to experiment with meditation, it’s during the hypnopompic state. You can try sitting up for a zen meditation if that suits you, but I prefer to lay still, minimizing any disturbances to my descending subconscious.

In this way, I frequently discover solutions that would’ve eluded me during waking life.

If you decide to try this practice, I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments! Let’s connect. I could even join you as a guiding presence in your meditations! You can trust me; I won’t cause any sleep paralysis or anything spooky.

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