We spend one-third of our life in sleep, yet for most people sleep is a period of unconsciousness. Through the practices of the Yoga of Clear Light we can learn to be completely aware during our sleep, open, clear, resting in deep meditative presence. But how do we get from our current stress and disrupted sleep patterns to the state of clear light?
The course will introduce simple techniques to enter into sleep in a healthy, balanced way. Even if we do not consistently enter into clear light sleep, we can benefit from a refreshing, relaxed sleep that gives us deep renewal. This is supported by breathing techniques, physical postures and guided visualizations. Tenzin Rinpoche will also provide meditations to wake up in a beautiful way, feeling the blessings of sleep and stepping into our day with serenity. Through these simple practices we can transform our sleep to be one of tranquility and awareness.
Teaching videos with English subtitles on each of the topics
Guided practices led by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Downloadable MP3 audio recordings of each of the guided practices
Discussion forum to share insights, gain support from peers, and resolve any questions with the course mentor, Polly Turner
The opportunity to ask Tenzin Rinpoche questions via a dedicated forum
Students work with the online materials according to their own schedules. However, as a general guideline we suggest that students make available – 1 to 1.5 hours each week to enjoy the teaching and guided practice videos, 30 minutes each evening to practice while entering into sleep, 15 minutes or more each morning to awake with awareness, and between 1 to 2 hours per week for participating in online discussions.
We begin with the origins and basic principles within Sleep Yoga, the Yoga of Clear Light. We will explore the differences and complementarity of Dream Yoga and Sleep Yoga, and look at the possibilities we can achieve through sleep.
Rinpoche explores how to release the pattern of carrying our exhaustion into our sleep, so that sleep can be restful and renewing. He will introduce the postures, and a simple meditation to entering into sleep in a peaceful way.
We will take the practice to the next stage, connecting with the sleep khandro (goddess) and a guided visualization that helps us bring awareness to the stages of dissolution into sleep.
In our final section Rinpoche explains how to continue with our sleep yoga practice, watching for signs and gradually deepening and strengthening our awareness during the day and sleep.
This course is made up of carefully planned and produced videos, supporting guides, and suggested readings in Tenzin Rinpoche’s book, The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep. You will also be able to download guided meditation audio files to your phone or computer to use as you fall asleep and awaken. Everyone is encouraged to share their experiences and questions through the discussion forum and support one another’s practice. The entire course can be viewed and played on any computer, tablet or smart phone with a connection that provides video playback. We think you will find the course supports you to discover a more restful dimension to sleep and connect to your own clear light awareness.
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche gives a brief introduction to the Sleep Yoga course.