Sleep

Although individuals can vary slightly, and perhaps babies need more than the elderly, it is a good assumption that almost all of us need 8 hours of sleep.

We can combine with some forms of mediation to make up 8 hours. For instance 6 hours of sleep and 2 hours of meditation add up to our needed 8 hours. But in every 24 period we all need 8 hours.

For me 4-6 hours seems to be enough, as long as I get enough mediation in to balance it during the same day. I don't recommend less than 4 straight hours, and that's assuming that we really sleep in those 4 hours and sleep well. If we don't fall asleep right away or don't sleep well 6 is a minimum no matter how much meditation we try during the day. This also assumes that we meditate well enough to replace the sleep as well. It could be that we need mediation and still 8 hours of sleep too.

I like to meditate when I first get up. In fact, I usually just scoot up onto my pillow right there in the bed and get in my first hour of meditation before I slide out of bed for some my light exercise routine. Then another hour or two sometime during the day is a wonderful practice for me.

Moderation

One of the most important lessons we can learn is that of moderation. The middle path is often best. Not too much of anything, even if it's good. Not too little of the things we need either. Toxins, of course, should be kept below toxic level. Many things become toxic at certain levels even though they might be good for us at lower levels.

Alcohol is an example of a toxin that can be good at low levels...for instance a glass or two of red wine in the evening can be relaxing and good for the heart; but any more than that should be avoided.

Not too much, not too little. Just the right amount of everything. Different foods and activities we need more of, and others we need less of. Find the Balance point. Listen to your bodies and let it teach us, just how much is right for us today.

More on Breathing

The most basic element of our health, and therefore our sleep is breathing. Our Breathing should be complete. The breath should both expand our rib cage out, and move our diaphram down. The in breath fills us completely...we are so full there is no room for anything else...naturally the air must leave...we allow it to go...slowly, slipping away. When we are completely empty a vacuum is created and naturally the air rushes in.

Practice this way of breathing consciously until it becomes unconscious, until we do it in our sleep.