I sat with my legs crossed and concentrated really, really hard. Suddenly my body flew up into the trees.

After tree-hopping for a bit, I shot up into the dark, starry sky and looked down at the moonlit tree tops.

I soared for long stretches, all while still sitting with my legs crossed. Once in a while I rested in a tree when my mind needed a break from the flight-generating concentration.

Then, I woke up.

I smiled and enjoyed the sparkly, happy, adventurous feeling of flying in my dream.

Whether my dreams are about flying or not, when I recall them—and even now as I write about them—I notice my mind gets calmer and steadier. My breathing starts to slow down. I can start to cultivate the feeling of the dream again.

Thinking about dream-filled or dreamless sleep is one way to focus the mind on one thing, and when you concentrate on one thing over time, before you know it, you’re meditating.

Exploring yoga’s take on meditation, sleep, and dreams

According to BKS Iyengar’s interpretation of the ancient text the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, line 3.2 states that meditation is a steady, uninterrupted flow of attention directed towards a single point or region.

Earlier in line 1.30-1.32, Patanjali notes that adherence to single-minded effort prevents certain impediments that distract us from experiencing the union and bliss that yoga promises.

Focusing on one thing makes the consciousness serene, and Patanjali describes several different ways to do so.

Thinking about dream-filled or dreamless sleep while you’re awake can be a form of single-minded effort, according to line 1.38.

Swami Satchidananda, in his interpretation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, suggests imagining the peace you felt in your dreams or sleep, rather than sleep itself.

In BKS Iyengar’s interpretation of this ancient text, he explains that dream-filled sleep, dreamless sleep, and being awake are all different states of consciousness. When you focus on either of the first two states while you’re awake, the different states start to merge.

The mind begins to get quiet when you contemplate your dreams or sleep, much like it does when you meditate in a more familiar way like focusing on the breath or a candle flame.

Meditating on sleep and dreams

If you’ve had trouble with other meditation techniques, it’s worth giving this one a try.

The next time you wake up from that smile-making, feel-good dream of playing with kittens, laughing with friends, reuniting with a loved one from the other side, or whatever experience your subconscious wove together for you, pause.

Or the next time you wake up from a really good, deep sleep, linger. Stay in bed for a few minutes.

Let your mind be with the sensations of the dream or the sleep, even though you’re awake.

Feel the feeling of the dream or of that restful, dreamless slumber.

Savor it.

Relish it.

Enjoy it.

Stay with it, come back to it, and keep recreating it.

Then notice how you feel, because you’ve just meditated.

You can recall that feeling later in the day, or even keep a dream journal to be able to return to dreams and their feelings anytime.

Dealing with troublesome dreams and sleep

Just as there are many different postures, there are many different meditation techniques. Some will come easy to you. Others might be more challenging for you.

As with any meditation technique, it’s a good idea to use common sense.

If you have nightmares or trouble sleeping, a different meditation technique might work better for you and perhaps even help you sleep better.

It’s International Meditation Month, and I’m here to tell you meditation doesn’t have to be a big, elusive, magic trick that only monks do. Meditation simply means to focus the mind on something continuously, whether it’s a minute or an hour.

Remember, you get to choose, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you sleep, you can meditate.

Want more guidance in getting started with meditation? Click here for my quick start guide, “4 Simple Secrets to Making Meditation Possible.”

Iyengar, B.K.S. (2002) Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. London, UK: Thorsens.

Satchidananda, S. (1990) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Buckingham, VA: Integral Yoga Publications.

This information is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.