Hypnagogic Enlightenment:
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. ~ Buddha Have you ever laid down for a nap, or to sleep for the night and experienced that jerking sensation? We all have. We were at the entrance of an enlightened state of consciousness, and that jerk was a pullback into wakefulness. Many of the great minds that came before us understood intimately the power, and the wisdom that will be obtained while in the hypnagogic state. Many have reached the hypnagogic state while in deep meditation. When we focus our attention on our breath, and let go of our troubles, worries, and problems, we will enter into a different state of mind. Embracing Nirvana is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
When we enter into the hypnagogic state of enlightenment, our monkey minds are silenced, and our higher selves are free to dominate our thinking, our reasoning, and our destiny.
You have experienced other signs of the state of hypnagogia as well such as, checkerboard patterns in your field of vision that turn into lucid dreamlike images that you realize are dreams, but you are still conscious of the present moment as well. I know I that I have.
As we drift deeper into that state of enlightenment we will see flashes of light as our minds are filled with creative thoughts that we have never imagined before.
The most frightening of our experiences in the hypnogogic state is that of sleep paralysis. This experience will definitely leave an impression on those who are conscious during it. It is not something to fear when we understand what is happening to us.
We all experience this state of enlightenment every time we sleep whether we realize it or not.
Halfway between the alpha state of dreaming, and our normal waking state of consciousness lays terra incognito, the hypnagogic state of enlightenment. It is only in the state of hypnagogia that we are truly awake, and free to explore the new wisdom that is presented to us.
The word hypnagogia comes from the Greek words Hypnos meaning sleep, and Agogeus meaning guide.
The hypnogogic state therefore is the one we all enter into as we transition from our state of wakefulness, and are then guided into sleep.
We will know that we are in the hypnagogic state of enlightenment as it envelopes us and fills our thoughts with enhanced creativity, and intuition.
Edgar Allen Poe discussed the Hypnagogic state quite poetically when he said, “There is however a class of fancies of exquisite delicacy, which are not thoughts, and to which as yet I have found it absolutely impossible to adapt language.
They arise in the soul only at its epochs of most intense tranquility. When the bodily and mental health are in perfection, and at that mere point of time where the confines of the waking world blends with those of dreams.
I am aware of these fancies only when I am upon the very brink of sleep with the consciousness that I am so.”
What wit from one of the greatest poets that ever lived. The aforementioned quote is quite clearly an eloquent description of the enlightenment that is obtained while in the hypnagogic state.
Salvador Dali, one of the most gifted surreal artists, and Albert Einstein who was the most intellectual genius, save for the architects who built the pyramids in Egypt, both were aware of the hypnagogic state.
Salvador and Albert both used a technique called, “Slumber with a key” to enter into the hypnagogic state. They would relax on a comfortable chair as they prepared for a nap with a key, or spoon held between their fingers.
Placed on the floor beside the chair was a metal plate. They would hold their hand with the key or spoon over the metal plate as they drifted off to sleep.
As they fell asleep the key would fall from between their fingers, and make a loud noise when it hit the plate, instantly waking them back up again. Upon wakening their minds would be filled with enhanced creativity, enlightenment, new ideas, and concepts that were the catalyst of their greatest accomplishments.
This state of mind is relaxing, it helps us to let go of attachments, and be in the present moment. The present moment is all we have.
The past is gone. The future is just a dream, an unknown, the manifestation of that which is based on the actions of everyone else in the human realm of existence, and to a lesser extent those in the animal realm of existence as well.
(Learn more about the different realms of existence according to Samsara here...)
This mindset of being in the present moment, as relaxing, and beneficial as it is, is not quite the same as the hypnagogic state. This enlightened state lies deeper within you.
You have embraced the present by letting go of the past, and you have allowed the future to unfold based upon the actions of others.
Now to enter into the hypnagogic state you must let go of the present, and transcend beyond the here and now. Let it all go, and be mindful of what you feel, and what you experience while in this enlightened state.
In Tibetan Buddhism, dream yoga is practiced as a way to embrace hypnagogic enlightenment. Dream Yoga is a spiritual practice where dreamlike states are entered into to bring about spiritual awareness, and enlightenment.
The Buddha, most decidedly so, entered into the state of hypnagogia as he meditated. Entering into this state brought him the enlightenment that he was seeking.
Your journey to enlightenment will be more easily obtained now that you understand the hypnagogic state. Enjoy your journey to enlightenment.
Let go of your attachments, and embrace nirvana.
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