Can't Sleep

Lying awake while the house is quiet, checking the clock, counting how many hours are left before morning. It can feel lonely and exhausting. If that's where you are tonight, you're not alone. Zen offers a gentle way of looking at this. Sometimes what keeps us up isn't only the body, but how hard we're trying to fall asleep. You might try loosening your grip on that goal, just for a moment. Instead of chasing sleep, notice what is already here: the weight of the blanket, your breath moving in and out, the small sounds of the night. Simply lying still can be a kind of rest, too. And like everything else, this night won't last forever. Morning always comes. On this page, you'll find questions from people who have also struggled with sleepless nights, along with HOTOKE AI's responses.