Historically, humans engaged in a two-phase sleep pattern, with a period of wakefulness between the two sleep phases. This article explores the activities people undertook during this wakeful period, focusing on spiritual practices like meditation, yoga, and prayer. Additionally, the article delves into the paranormal aspect of this time as a potential portal to transcendence when combined with spiritual practices.
In the past, humans followed a two-phase sleep pattern, referred to as “segmented sleep” or “bimodal sleep.” This sleep pattern involved two distinct periods of sleep separated by a period of wakefulness. During this wakeful period, people engaged in various activities, including spiritual practices like meditation, yoga, and prayer. Some beliefs suggest that this time serves as a portal to transcendence, allowing individuals to access higher states of consciousness when engaging in spiritual practices.
- Historical Context of the Two-Phase Sleep Pattern: Segmented sleep was common in pre-industrial societies and is documented in various historical texts and literature. The two sleep phases, referred to as “first sleep” and “second sleep,” were separated by a period of wakefulness lasting approximately one to two hours. The advent of artificial lighting and modern work schedules eventually led to the consolidation of sleep into one continuous period.
- Activities during the Wakeful Period: During the wakeful period between the two sleep phases, people engaged in various activities, such as:
- Tending to household chores or farm tasks
- Engaging in social activities, such as visiting neighbors or family members
- Reading or storytelling by candlelight
- Engaging in spiritual practices like meditation, yoga, and prayer
- Spiritual Practices during the Wakeful Period: The wakeful period between the two sleep phases provided a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in spiritual practices. The quiet, dark hours of the night created an ideal environment for meditation, yoga, and prayer. These practices allowed individuals to connect with their inner selves and access higher states of consciousness.
- The Paranormal Aspect: A Portal to Transcendence Some beliefs propose that the nature of the time between the two sleep phases serves as a portal to transcendence. The combination of the quiet, dark environment and the practice of spiritual disciplines like meditation, yoga, or prayer is thought to facilitate access to higher dimensions or states of consciousness.
The concept of transcendence is closely linked to paranormal phenomena, as it involves surpassing the limitations of ordinary human experience. The wakeful period between the two sleep phases might represent a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with the spiritual realm and experience paranormal events.
The historical two-phase sleep pattern provided a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in spiritual practices during the wakeful period between the two sleep phases. This time, combined with the practice of meditation, yoga, or prayer, is believed by some to serve as a portal to transcendence, allowing individuals to access higher states of consciousness and potentially encounter paranormal experiences. The exploration of this phenomenon sheds light on the intersection of sleep, spirituality, and the paranormal, opening new avenues for understanding the human experience.
You may also wish to read The Restorative Power of Sleep.
