PART 3: How to Practice Somatic Dreaming Guided Meditation at Home (for free!)

Welcome to part 3 of this series on somatic dreaming, a somatic-style guided meditation with profound nervous system regulating benefits!

If you missed the first two parts, you can check them out here:

PART 1: Radical Possiblity: Somatic Dreaming Guided Meditation (+ free video recording)

PART 2: Somatic Dreaming: A Path to Inner Transformation

Now that you know what this practice is all about, and how it can help you process activation and deepen you into a felt-sense of possibility, you probably want to know exactly how to do it!

Note - I am talking about guided meditation here, and my meditations are available for free. These instructions are about how to use those meditation recordings.

SOMATIC DREAMING
INSTRUCTIONS

Preparing for the Practice:

1. Create a comfortable space where you can be undisturbed for about 45 minutes. I like to lay down in bed, as that is he most comfortable space I can think of. You might choose a couch, or a yoga mat, or sitting upright in a chair if that's what works for your body.
   

2. If you can, let go of distractions: close the door, turn your phone off, and see if there's anything else you need to let go of the outside world for this time.
   

3. Listen to the recordings provided. There's nothing you need to do, just follow along.

A special note for the parents who are like 'ya right.... I never get 5 minutes undisturbed.' 👇

...As the mom of a toddler, my sister never gets 45 minutes to herself. It's a luxury! Luckily, these practices can be done as you fall asleep with one earbud in, or while you're lounging on the couch watching Miss Rachel.

Life is messy, and we don't always have perfect environment for meditating. There's no right way, and I encourage you to do it messy if that's what's needed.

3 Common Questions:

1. I fall asleep every time! Am I doing it wrong?

For the first month that I practiced somatic dreaming, I fell asleep almost every time. If you fall asleep, know that this is the rest your body needs, and just allow it to happen.

You are still hearing the recording on some level of consciousness, and benefitting in the way that is most appropriate for you at this time.

Over time, you will be able to stay awake for the duration of the track, however these tracks are designed to bring you into a deep brain-wave state of rest. It's close to a dream-state. That's why it's called somatic dreaming!

2. I can't seem to quiet my mind or relax when I meditate!

One of the reasons people don't try guided meditation is that it can be hard to quiet your mind. With somatic dreaming, that shouldn't be a problem, because you won't be asked to quiet your mind - it just naturally happens in the process.

Our intention is to include all parts of you, even the agitation and stressed parts. Once your nervous system starts to calm down and integrate the charge, your thoughts will naturally quiet.

If you find it hard to settle at all for a meditation or feel too charged to lay down, try some movement - a quick little dance party, a few yoga poses, shake it out, or whatever movement is accessible to you. That should help move some energy and help your system to be ready to lay down and receive the meditation.

3. I am so uncomfortable and restless! What do I do?

If you feel uncomfortable or restless during the guided meditation and visualization process, that is your own body speaking to you. Of course, your experience is unique and it's possible that laying down is not comfortable for you.

Choose the position that works best for your body, and know at any time you can move or shift however you need.

Restlessness can be a symptom of nervous system hyperarousal (fight or flight). The practice is designed to complete activation in our body, meaning that when we acknowledge and honor the restlessness instead of trying to get rid of it, it naturally calms down.

It is this inclusion of all parts of our experience that begins to provide a felt sense of comfort and relief.

How to Integrate After a Somatic Dreaming Practice

Somatic dreaming is deep rest and deep work. My favorite way to integrate this practice is going for a walk, but I also like to journal.

When you walk, you are using optical flow to integrate and process new information.

When you journal, you are capturing insights from the dream state and expanding on their meaning. Simply take out a journal and free-flow write on what you are noticing, what you experienced, any important images or feelings that came up for you, and anything you want to remember.

Then let it go and enjoy the rest of your day!

download free Somatic Dreaming recordings and join my email list for more resources and updates

For a deeper connection to this work …Come to our live somatic dreaming events in Surrey, BC. Check out the events page or subscribe for updates on live events and new Somatic Dreaming Recordings!