Originally posted by Peregrinus
So basically, just let go. *Let those thoughts come, but let them go as well. *Just watch. *Acknowledge them and then dismiss them until one begins to take hold in the imagination.
The key for me is abstract thought. Peregrinus is discribing exactly how I allow myself to get there.

Over the past few years, paying attention to my thoughts ALL the time has generated wonderful results - lowered blood pressure, (quite a bit below any need for meds,) and great ease of falling asleep. In order to accomplish this, I've had to learn to stop thinking in circles.

For me, much of the circular thinking stemmed from self-doubt, concern about overlooking details in a series of very ugly situations, and simple recognition of my own forgetfulness. The beginning of it all for me was starting to keep a journal... not a dream journal, (I keep one of those too now,) but a diary-like thing in which I record my thoughts and experiences.

The game (for me) is to think something through once or twice and then release it to my journal or fate or whatever. When I conquered daytime circular thinking, my night-time thoughts followed. I had to learn to recognize my own anger, fear and self-doubt in the process... but man, was it ever worth it. Now, when I can't fall asleep, it is a sure sign I've neglected something or other or let something get to me. "Let" is the operative term there! When it works right, whatever is on my mind quite naturally drifts into abstractions. At that point I can choose let go and sleep or start hanging on in an attempt to WILD - if I've already slept some.

None of this may apply to you, but perhaps it will benefit somebody. It is my own experience, so caveat emptor and all that.