The term sleep-learning is slightly deceptive.
Just before drifting off to sleep at night and again in the morning after coming out of a deep sleep, there is a semi- conscious, reverie state of mind when the alpha and theta brain waves are at their optimal output (at 7 to 13 cycles per second and 4 to 6 cycles per second respectively).
Material recited onto a 12-minute loop tape and played during these time periods is more readily retained than at any other part of the sleep cycle.
The sleep period where the brain waves are below 4 cycles per second is called the unconscious delta state and the brain wave level above 13 cycles per second is the fully conscious beta state.
As an exercise, create a 12-minute loop tape with the information that you want to learn.
Then put it on a timer to be played one hour upon going to sleep and one hour upon awakening.
For example, with Spanish vocabulary, say the following: "This is your Spanish vocabulary for the night.
You are relaxed and in a twilight sleep.
You will remember the following words forever.
" Then read your vocabulary to be learned onto the repeating tape in 4-second intervals as in "Exercise -- Rhythmic Memorizing.
" If the material to be learned was recorded at 212 times normal speaking speed with a special tape recorder and still spaced at 4-second intervals, it would increase the bulk to be absorbed (see "Exercise - High Speed Listening").
Learning in this manner is utilizing the otherwise idle moments during the night.
One study revealed that sleep-learning improves with time.
Apparently the brain gets better accustomed to absorption with more practice.
If you design your tapes with affirmations, you can lose weight, increase your self-confidence, stop smoking or help correct any number of habit patterns while you sleep.
By directing positive, beneficial thoughts of success, achievement and happiness to the subconscious mind, powerful personality changes can be accomplished while you sleep.