THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF SLEEP

"Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and reduced interactions with surroundings.  It is distinguished from wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, but more reactive than a coma or disorders of consciousness, with sleep displaying different, active brain patterns." SLEEP IS ONE SOLUTION TO SUSTAINING OUR SANITY.

ATTITUDES, Behaviors, CONSCIOUSNESS, DESIRES, EMOTIONS FEELINGS & SLEEP HAVE SPIRIT 

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​Whenever we refer to spirit it raises questions, controversy and concerns. Yes there is "Spirit" and there are spirits. God is spirit. Other then that, there is no universally accepted or exact definition for what spirit is. However spirit can be "described" and "manifested" in many ways. For the purpose of this post we will describe spirit as the invisible, non-physical and intangible source of energy or expression. It is easy to deny that spirit exists because spirit has no physical or tangible attributes. Although spirit is intangible and invisible, spirit can be discerned by our intellectual faculties, particularly our intuition and perception. Anyone aware of spiritual presence knows they can be influenced or victimized by them. Both beliefs and hunches operate within the spirit realm. This post is not about characterizing spirits but rather examining how sleep relates to them. Whether we find ourselves in a church a mosque, a synagogue or a temple there is a "spirit of conduct" that honors that edifice. There should be no dissension regarding the fact that there are "codes of conduct" allowed or required almost everywhere. Our consciousness regulates our behavior. Sleep which is an "unconscious state" works spiritually to reset and restore our constantly bombarded and sometimes overwhelmed "consciousness state" back to stability. The "activity of spirit" is controversial, extremely delicate and difficult to explain. The effort to impart wisdom through writing is a spiritual endeavor and can easily fall short of being logically concise. However this post deals specifically with the "spirit of sleep" and its impact upon our intellectual faculties. Our perception, reasoning, intellect, memory and will along with our physical, tangible, psychological and social lives are influenced by the quantity and quality of sleep.  

QUITE A BIT OF OUR LIFETIME IS SPENT SLEEPING DON'T WASTE IT!

Sleep may be described as the waste disposal for the brain. The deeper we sleep the better the brain is cleansed and renewed. The body must rid itself of trash through its installed waste discarding facilities, physically. The mind must also be purged both mentally and spiritually. Sleep can be compared to death. This is one place where transgressions can die and forgiveness can be renewed. Going to sleep while holding on to trouble is hard to do. A troubled mind can rob us of rest. Carrying a burden 24/7 is counterproductive and eventually will burn the body out. So sleep steps in forcing us to physically and mentally lay burdens down. How we sleep is often a sign of how we live! Our sleeping patterns, lengths, soundness and restfulness speak volumes about us. Performing evil and being able to sleep without being troubled is a sign of a reprobate mind. We sleep to alleviate our minds from trouble. This purposefully engages the cleansing needed to to think clearly. "Lets sleep on it," is a common expression. "Let not the sun go down upon thy wrath" is a Biblical directive. Sleep has a significant spiritual side to it. When the mind is at rest it can be renewed. When the mind is restless it is under psychological and spiritual attack. If we see sleep as a type of death, we should see awakening as a kind of new birth or resurrection of  life.

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SLEEP RENEWS our bodies our minds and our SPIRITs

​"Use it or lose it," is a phrase we often hear yet only partially apply. Although we cannot actually lose sleep we can lack and/or miss it. To lose something we must have it first. To lack something, we must first need it. The spiritual aspects of sleep are not solely about religious principles. They are more about the concept of Yin and Yang. As night follows day, so rest follows labor. We need to be in sync with the world around us. Spiritual balance has a meaningful impact on life's interactive existence. Anyone that believes in the Biblical account of creation knows that sleep played a part in the making of Eve. "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam." Scientists have found that following a spiritual path makes us happier. By getting in touch with our spiritual side, we are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This directly relates to how well we sleep at night. If there are things in our life causing friction or worry, then we are less likely to sleep well. Each of us are obligated to allow our bodies and minds to get their needed sleep. Difficulty sleeping is a sign that something in our life is out of alignment. After creating the world even God rested! What better example can we give regarding the significance of rest and sleep. Sleep is a form of rest and relaxation. Normally rest and relaxation work hand in hand but leave it to us humans to find a way to eliminate or limit either of them. Animals in the wild experience sleep differently from human beings. In a predatory environment sleeping soundly or relaxing fully is a death sentence. Most animals maintain a certain state of alertness and preparedness whether they are a predator or prey. Readiness to retrieve food when the opportunity arises or run from being eaten as food when the situation occurs is why most animals rarely if ever fully relax.

TIPS FOR BETTER SPIRIT RENEWING SLEEP

GET BACK IN RHYTHM! The circadian rhythm that is! Our circadian rhythm is the pattern our bodies follow based on a 24-hour day. It’s the name given to our body’s internal clock. This rhythm tells our bodies when to sleep and when to wake up. It also affects several other processes, like our hormones, digestion and temperature. MEDITATE! Practicing meditation helps our spirit to calm our minds. There are also beneficial physical effects such as a lowering blood pressure. The busier our lives become the more important sleep is. Meditation enables our minds to focus better. We can reflect and organize our thoughts to decipher the lessons of life. There are few better feelings then figuring out where we went wrong, if we are humble enough to accept it. An organized and relaxed mind makes it easier to find rest. Meditation and spiritual renewal go hand in hand. The more we appreciate sleep, the better it works for us regardless of our circumstances. Electronics need limitations. Devices like teleVISIONS with illuminated screens interfere with our body’s natural internal clock and inhibit the production of melatonin, which is essential for sleep. The blue light emitted by many devices inhibits our pineal gland from releasing the melatonin that makes us sleepy. By using devices before going to sleep, we are actually increasing our alertness, stimulating the brain at a time when we should be winding down for deep rest and dreams. This makes it more difficult not just to fall asleep, but also to stay asleep. Not sleeping for a solid period of time means that we won’t have as many REM (rapid eye movement) periods throughout the night. This contributes directly to how tired we feel when waking up. Even night lights and illuminated clocks may have adverse effects. We sleep the best in complete darkness. Light can act as pollution if we let it.

SEASONS: THE BALANCE BETWEEN US AND THE UNIVERSE

When we consider what life was like hundreds of years ago, our sleep-wake cycle was governed by the the light of the day and the moon of night. We're not that much different from the people that lived then. This is one reason why driving at night is more dangerous then during the day. Our seasons and cycles have remained the same. Our body’s circadian rhythm is directly linked with sunlight. In the summer it is natural to wake earlier and go to bed slightly later. During the winter when the daylight  gets shorter, we may need a little more sleep every night in order to feel refreshed and happy when we rise. Due to the proliferation of electricity, the way we sleep and wake has changed. Many people find that they have difficulty falling asleep because their minds are too busy. Thinking about jobs that need doing or the tasks of the next day can create obstacles to cleansing and clearing our minds. Making a list before going to bed works just like a shopping list made before going to the market. We can easily clear our minds from the next day’s tasks by writing them down, there may be other things on our minds that keep us from a peaceful and restful sleep. Some people have trouble relaxing into sleep because they are re-living the events of the day. It is important to differentiate between the things that we can change or do something about, and the things that we can’t. We can’t change what has already happened. So we must get it resolved and get over it. We can visualize regrets confess them in prayer and address them in time. Mistakes are great to be aware of, but aren’t worth dwelling on. Learning from them is empowering and the lessons can become even more vivid after a good night’s sleep. By falling asleep with a right "frame of mind," we enable ourselves to awaken with revelations. Without sleep we cannot dream. Most of us stay too preoccupied while fully conscious to clearly receive the messages the universe sends us, the lessons life teaches us and the voice of God speaking to us. The birth of Jesus was clarified by a dream. " But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream."

WE DREAM OUR DREAMS BEFORE WE LIVE OUR DREAMS

Falling asleep has spiritual ramifications. Our last activities and thoughts are the ones fresh on our minds. When we start falling asleep our brain activity experiences gradual changes. Trouble falling to sleep or a trouble filled sleep is one of the first signs of mental, physical or spiritual maladies. We can use thoughts to help our brain and body transition to falling asleep quickly. We can summon peace and serenity that slowly relaxes us while cleansing our minds. SLEEP MYSTICALLY AND UNCONSCIOUSLY CONNECTS US WITH GOD. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: