Frequently Asked Questions
About the Discover Stillness ® Audio Learning Program

How often and when should I listen to the CDs?
Ideally, listen to your Audio Learning Program two times per day. Using the program once a day clears stress accumulated during the day. Using the program a second time each day reduces your older, deeper levels of stress. Listening more often is also good, especially when you are ill or unusually stressed or tired.

Find a schedule that is right for you. Good times for listening are: at bedtime, first thing in the morning before arising, and for a break at lunch, when you experience a natural decline in energy such as mid-afternoon, or upon arriving home from work.

Is there any particular position that I should be in while listening?
There is no special position for your body while using the CDs. Sitting up is a great way to train yourself to stay alert while reaching deep levels of relaxation. However, if you feel tired, lie down to let your body relax completely.

How long should I listen to each level before moving to the next level?
The average minimum time at each level is three months. However, the time it takes at each level of the Program completely varies by individual. To complete a level one must be able to dip fully into a new level of stillness and then hold that level while living life fully (working, playing, sleeping).

There are many factors involved in how fast the mind/body can learn to let go and open. Factors are an expression of both the levels of your intent and discipline to relax and vitalize the body/mind and the amount of stress that has built up. Factors include:

• what is the general condition of your nervous system?
• how regular and how often is your relaxation practice? 
• how healthy are you?
• how functional are you in the world?
• is your life designed to minimize stress and maximize pleasure? 
• do you eat foods that nourish your body and digest easily?
• do you exercise regularly (fitness, strength, stretching)? 
• what other practices do you incorporate that support stillness (e.g., yoga, tai chi, prayer)? 
• what are the quality of your relationships?

Please use the Guide to Stillness that accompanies the Learning Program to determine at what level you are operating. If you notice that you are maintaining the attributes of the level you are currently listening to about 90% of the time, it is time to move to the next level.

I like to "cut to the chase." What if I listen to the deepest level CD right from the beginning?
We strongly discourage it. Using a CD that is too deep for you can be uncomfortable. You may feel agitated or completely drained of energy. It may cause your stresses to release too quickly, like a detox reaction in the body, making you emotional, angry, or tired. Even if you feel OK using a level that is too deep for you, the best thing that can happen is that you will "waste" the extra depth. That is, you have not yet learned to relax to the vibration of the lower CD. You will listen and drop as low as you can, but you won't be able to drop anywhere near as low as the CD goes. You won't be following the tones and waves on the CD and they won't be reinforcing your relaxation. At the right level - or frequency - you will feel yourself sinking ... shifting....letting go into a soft, peaceful rest.

Sometimes I feel "rough" after doing a meditation with the Learning Program. Is that normal?
The process of achieving deep relaxation takes time and regular practice as would a physical exercise program. When you exercise your body regularly, you get stronger. Sometimes you are sore after a good workout. The same is true for these CDs - it will get easier and easier to relax into deep levels and to maintain those levels for longer and longer periods. However, you may feel a little rough from time to time.

As you use the CD's relaxation technology, pockets of stress stored in your mind and body will be released for clearing. This release of stress may cause you to be uncomfortable for short periods of time - you may feel irritable, tired or groggy. As you clear deeper and deeper levels of stress, you will have many great days and some rough days. Don't avoid the rough places. Many times these areas contain your most important growth and understanding. Treat the rough places like speed bumps. Slow down and pay attention. Something very important is there to be realized.

With regular use you will get great results, clearing stress from all levels.