Healing and hypnotherapy Volume 4, Special Mega Annual Issue , 15 June 2020 | Page 35

3. Set a gentle alarm – It takes on average about 10 to 20 minutes to fall
asleep. So take a moment to consider how long it takes you on average to fall
asleep. Do you go under quickly? In this case you might like to set the alarm
on your phone or clock to 10 minutes. If you take a long time to fall asleep,
experiment with setting your alarm to 20 minutes. With experience, and
assessment of how tired you are beforehand, you’ll be able to skillfully adjust
the alarm to the perfect amount of time that you need.
4. Take a nap – Remember, your intention isn’t to fall asleep, (although if that
happens, don’t worry, it can take practice!). Lie down on your bed, sofa, or
whatever is comfortable, and relax. Let your body and mind drift off into a soft
and hazy stupor. Completely unwind and let yourself be still.
5. Observe your mind – It is not always possible to clearly observe your
mind, particularly when your consciousness is fading, which is why this step
takes practice. You can use the sensation of your breath or chest rising and
falling to help anchor yourself to awareness as you notice what is going on.
6. Time to record! – Bzzzz! At some point your alarm will go off. (Hopefully
you set a gentle alarm, because loud obnoxious alarms can really be, well,
alarming.) Once you’ve woken up, record what you have heard, seen, felt, or
experienced. Do this quickly so that you don’t forget.
7. Interpretation – Reflect on what you have written, drawn or recorded.
What are the first thoughts or feelings that pop into your mind? If you
experience a strong physical/emotional ‘aha!’ reaction, you have found the
right interpretation. Does your interpretation inspire, excite, or shock you? If
so, it is probably correctly interpreted. According to Jungian analyst Robert A.
Johnson, the best way to tell if you have interpreted dream imagery correctly
is by the level of energy behind it. In other words, if your interpretation feels
flat, dull, or lifeless, it is likely wrong. But if it feels alive and thrilling, you’ve
likely found your answer.
Also, remember that hypnagogic imagery can be very abstract or very
straight-forward – it is quite unpredictable. Sometimes it takes a while to
interpret what you have experienced. Sometimes the material of your mind
won’t be relevant to your question or intention. Keep practicing. Often images,
words, sounds, and sensations may feel completely unrelated to your
question. But when you revisit them a few days later, something may ‘click’
and you might suddenly discover how pertinent and symbolic they are.