I deal with a lot of insomnia.
I don't know if this will help, but here are some good articles about sleep disorders from Holistic Online:
http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/ ... p_home.htm
the consultant for the site is an MD from a sleep disorder center.
I take melatonin and 5-HTP. It does help reduce the severity of the insomnia for me.
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As far as spiritual experiences and insomnia? I think all forms of austerity, whether consciously engaged in or imposed by illness and problems, do make us more receptive to spiritual experiences. I have had spiritual experiences during periods of insomnia that do not seem as easily accessible without the sleep deprivation.
I think it can help destroy some of the blocks that the ego puts up.
But consciously engaging in a kind of self-torture in order to produce spiritual experiences? I think that kind of thing is fraught with danger.
When I began meditating in the early 80's, I was 21 and very gung ho. I was attracted to that kind of thing. And I did long fasts and long meditations and etc. I think it was both very helpful...and very dangerous (apparently, my stupidity knows no bounds). I definitely believe my current health problems are partially a result of those practices.
At the same time, I did achieve some of what I had been looking for.
gassho,
Jon
May All Beings Be Happy!