Falling asleep during meditation without knowing

[kfcheng]

I've read the "Mindfulness in Plain English" and has started with concentration of the breath. However, when I sit cross-legged, I always feel that my legs are tensed. So I bring my attention to the legs and constantly relaxes them before returning to the breath.

So I try to watch my breathing and periodically check on my legs. While I was meditating, my partner told me that I was snoring. But I don't remember drifting off to sleep. I was conscious of my breathing and the tensing of the legs... Did I really fall asleep without knowing? Perhaps, I might have drifted off to sleep without knowing. This mindfulness thing is really difficult.

Any advice for a super noob in meditation?

[Hanzze]

"If concentration is too strong and effort is too weak, then that concentration changes into thina-middha (sloth and torpor or sleepiness)"

What should a mediator do when he feels sleepy? He should walk longer than sit in his meditation. To put in more effort, the passive posture of sitting is not suitable, only the active posture of walking (meditation). ...

from Chapter 6 "developing the five mental faculties, from Vipassana Meditation : Lectures On Insight Meditation by Venerable Chanmyay Sayadaw U Janakabhivamsa

Maybe it is useful *smile* its easy to read and simple.

[ground]

Fresh air, take a walk if sleepy, put some drops of water on your head before sitting ...
But most important: be mindful of drifting into sleep. It is no problem if you drift into sleep occasionally but you should be aware of it, take note of it

Kind regards

[kfcheng]

The main problem is that I was not aware that I was drifting off to sleep. Walking meditation sounds more difficult than breathing meditation.

I know there are bad days in meditation but is it right for me to force myself to sit through the entire period that I have set aside for meditation? or should I end the meditation early?

I've also downloaded some meditation timer app. There is this interval "ding" that I could set. Should I set it to "ding" every 10 mins?

[Hanzze]

There is not much difficult in walking meditation. Its very good at the beginning. We have a presenter object to start to train the mind and do not fall into the relax trap. External facilities are very tricky and support or tendency to "ease". *smile*

You could hold a valuable glass 40cm above the stone floor. That would keep you aware without running into easy ways. *smile*

[Spiny le Norman]

So I try to watch my breathing and periodically check on my legs. While I was meditating, my partner told me that I was snoring. But I don't remember drifting off to sleep. I was conscious of my breathing and the tensing of the legs... Did I really fall asleep without knowing? Perhaps, I might have drifted off to sleep without knowing. This mindfulness thing is really difficult.

It might simply be that you're not getting enough sleep and are over-tired.  There is a balance to be developed in meditation between being alert and being relaxed, alertness is helped by keeping a straight back.  Also, have you tried meditating with your eyes open when sleepy?

CP

[kfcheng]

When I try to meditate with my eyes open, I keep on getting distracted by things in the room and my mind gets all over the place? I just tried walking meditation and find that I can't find my balance. Any instructions for walking meditation?

I think I am getting enough sleep and the thing is that I find that I am aware of my breath. But people are telling me that I am falling asleep..so I'm confused. I don't even know when my awareness have drifted away.

sigh....... I desperately need help....

[Hanzze]

You would find a guidance for walking meditation in the little book (link) as well. *smile*

[kfcheng]

From what I read, I need to label everything that I do, then I will be constantly meditating. Let me try it out today...

[Lobster]

I don't remember drifting off to sleep

It is not uncommon.
I have done it.
I have seen it regularly happen to advanced retreat master lamas.
One monk I heard was woken by his head drifting forward and then "thunk" as it hit the floor . . . and he woke up.

The first meditation practice I ever went to had one resident snorer at the back.
The Sufis call this drifting and feel it is a good thing where one might have prophetic dreams, meetings with khidr etc . . .

Cures include more attentive sitting (that might mean more painful sitting postures. eg full lotus or kneeling) Grabbing a dorje very tightly once in a while, bell gong or chanting interludes.
I have a green tea ito my side and take sips from that 

Hope that is useful. There are other more drastic measures such as meditating in the tree asana


Yep I bet that woke a few of you up . . . 

[dhammaseeker51]

Maybe a bit more fresh air in your place of meditation might help (open a window maybe). Some monks would meditate on the edge of a precipice to avoid falling asleep but I think that's a bit extreme for most of us. I just tend to know when I'm tired and avoid meditating at those times.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, you'll be more aware next time.

with Metta

[Spiny le Norman]

Yep I bet that woke a few of you up . . . 

Who, what, where?...is it time for my nap?

Spiny

[Lobster]

Some monks would meditate on the edge of a precipice to avoid falling asleep but I think that's a bit extreme

You could try balancing on the edge of a coffee table or alter 
or some mudra, perhaps those used by the Shinobi or these 

http://youtu.be/EQ7PAUlRNSM

[kfcheng]

I don't think I should put my body in uncomfortable positions to keep myself awake. I can only try my best not to fall asleep. But if I do fall asleep, I'll just let it be. I've learnt to relinquish control of the world through my meditation practice.

Perhaps, I'm just a lazy person to just let things be..... I don't know what's right or wrong any more. But it seems like I am a much better person and a much calmer person ever since I started meditating... so I must be doing something right... even though it may be wrong

[Lobster]

Perhaps, I'm just a lazy person to just let things be.....

You might be Dudeist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudeism