Hold your arm up slightly from the ground... experience the effort required to resist the pull of gravity... gradually yield to gravity, allowing your arm to sink slowly back to earth . . . experience the pleasure of letting go, of giving in to gravity, of letting the earth support you... you have done all you can to work on your problem, and you are now entitled to relax . . . you relax as you allow yourself to experience your arms and legs as heavy... experience the pleasure of the sensation of heaviness as you let go of your problem and let the earth support you ... as you focus on the experience of warmth in your arms and legs you feel at peace ... focus gently, gently on your breathing, following it in and out... as you exhale, let the breath go, and release yourself from the control of your breathing ... give in to expiration with a peaceful sigh of relief, and then allow your next breath to come to you on its own... trust in your breath, and as you inhale, think, "it breathes me" ... let go of your breath and trust in inspiration .. .

I then suggested that the incubant imagine being in the chosen place of sanctity, with the revered benefactor. The structure of meanings in the relaxation procedure and this suggested symbolic motif of the incubation process are mutually supportive:

Imagine that you are in your sacred place. Allow the special protective and comforting atmosphere of your place of healing to create within you a mood of serenity . . . your arms and legs are heavy and warm, you have let go of your problem, yielding yourself to the support of the earth, giving in to your expirations with peaceful sighs, as you are safe within your sacred place of healing . . . imagine that your revered benefactor is approaching . . . feel the special vibrations of your benefactor's presence , and experience the confidence and optimism that is inspired in you... letting go with a peaceful sigh, trusting in inspiration . ..

This final combination of images, contemplated within the context of all the preceding preparation, is assumed to constellate the receptivity appropriate for incubating a helpful and meaningful dream (18). To help the incubant maintain this receptivity upon falling asleep, I would then terminate the ceremony with a sleep- inducing reverie accompanied by music. I encouraged the incubant now to relinquish control of even the stream of consciousness, and while not trying to produce any particular result, fall asleep prepared and willing for whatever might be given.