How to stay awake when meditating?

I've tried guided meditations (Jon Kabat-Zinn and others), listening to sounds (e.g. recordings of Tibetan bells), practicing mindfulness without guiding materials, etc. Although I've been meditating on and off for almost 1.5 years, I can't stay awake for more than 5-10 minutes, regardless of whether I'm sitting or lying down on my yoga mat.

Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions for how I can stay awake? E.g. based on Jon Kabat-Zinn's meditation tracks, and just what I've garnered from sources so far, the aim is to become relaxed and mindful (and not so much falling asleep :P).

Thanks,
Allie

I've got a similar problem. Every guided meditation if I stay doing it for longer than 5 mins I'm asleep after 10 mins. The only thing that I've been able to stay awake during is if I verbally participate ex: buddhist meditation chant and counting breaths. Good luck.

Tig

And this is exactly why I use meditation as a sleep strategy...

That would be helpful. Sadly it's not that effective a sleep strategy for me :P I usually wake up 30-60 mins later, sometimes feeling refreshed, and sometimes feeling really groggy. Still, it's good for "inducing" naps, so I agree there

That's something I might try. Do you count your breaths aloud? I've tried counting silently before, but I fall asleep that way also.

Yep out loud that way I'm actively participating and my brain doesn't think its time for bed. I'm still physically doing something ie: counting. My dr gave me some meditations and one of the counting breath exercises is to count to 5 and then start over sort of like doing reps when exercising.

Tig

Meditation and positive affirmations still work in your sleep. :-)

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Oh I am usually just happen to have fallen asleep even during meditation! I have found that I am able to stay awake during meditation if I meditate with a path in mind. I know this negates the purpose of some types of meditation but if I am able to follow the path I am awake for a long time. Also, don't meditate just before bed time.