Try this, my friend:
When you are deeply relaxed, but before you fall asleep, visualize bright white light shining out of your third eye while imaging the sound "AAAhhh". A as in fAther. Just be utterly relaxed and do this and it will increase your awareness. You see, when you fall asleep your consciousness falls into the heart chakra and then to the solar plexus and secret chakra. The sound Ah activates the space element of awareness. You will know when your body is asleep when all the four elements have dissolved into the space element in your third eye and you can no longer feel your body. Once your awareness is free from your body you can relax your vigilance and let your mind fly like a kite. You can let it drift on the verge of sleep but always keep hold of the kitestring of awareness. Dabble with daydreaming, but be alert so you don't fall asleep. Yet keep a passive attitude towards any phenomena you experience. Good luck!