I'm on a self-improvement binge (for about 15 years at this point) and though I don't call myself Christian, to sleep I recite The Lord's Prayer phrase by phrase, meditating on the meaning of each phrase--why it's there, what the intended effect is, whether I agree, and how I might do that thing if I agree. Stressing here that I am not praying: I am considering the meaning of one of the most widespread human mantras in my corner of the world.
If that doesn't work, my next step is to pray (again, I am not Christian--that's not what this is about) that everyone will do the right thing, whatever that is. Sometimes I direct it at current events, sometimes generally.
I think that it's the concentration that puts me to sleep, and the effects on my behavior and attitude are bonus points.
I'm on a self-improvement binge (for about 15 years at this point) and though I don't call myself Christian, to sleep I recite The Lord's Prayer phrase by phrase, meditating on the meaning of each phrase--why it's there, what the intended effect is, whether I agree, and how I might do that thing if I agree. Stressing here that I am not praying: I am considering the meaning of one of the most widespread human mantras in my corner of the world.
If that doesn't work, my next step is to pray (again, I am not Christian--that's not what this is about) that everyone will do the right thing, whatever that is. Sometimes I direct it at current events, sometimes generally.
I think that it's the concentration that puts me to sleep, and the effects on my behavior and attitude are bonus points.