Meditation for Sleep with Buddhist Chants: My Experience with the Gassho App
To the Me Who’s Been Struggling to Sleep More Often Lately
There were nights when I simply couldn’t fall asleep, no matter how tired I was. My thoughts kept looping—what’s happening tomorrow, what did I forget—and my mind would stay wide awake. What helped me shift away from those restless nights was a bedtime ritual of meditation for sleep using Buddhist chants, discovered through a calming app called Gassho. Having a stable bedtime routine helped me create a peaceful rhythm before bed, slowly bringing order back to my sleepless nights. When I was younger, I could fall asleep within minutes. But lately, it feels like I’ve been stuck in a state of mild insomnia, with my thoughts racing the moment I lie down. “Did I reply to that email?” “Is tomorrow’s schedule okay?” One concern leads to another, and before I know it, my brain won’t stop spinning. And the more I think, “I need to sleep or tomorrow will be ruined,” the more sleep slips away. This contradiction had been a constant struggle.
Practicing Sleep: Building a Meditation for Sleep Nighttime Ritual
Falling asleep should be natural, right? But at some point, I started “trying hard” to sleep. Too much screen time. Too much thinking during the day. A flood of information. All of these modern distractions may be quietly stealing our ability to simply be still at night. That’s why creating a quiet space before bed—what I’ve come to call my meditation for sleep or bedtime ritual—has become essential for me. That’s when I discovered the Gassho meditation app.
Discovering Gassho: Choosing the Sutra
Gassho offers a variety of sound-based content rooted in Buddhist meditation. Among them, what moved me most was the audio of solemn sutra chanting. At first, I hesitated—“A sutra?”—but when I listened, it felt nothing like typical sleep music. The warmth and resonance of the human voice had a depth that gently embraced my heart. It felt like drifting at the bottom of the sea. I thought, why not entrust my pre-sleep mind to this sound? So I began a 7-day experiment—a quiet sleep preparation habit—and quickly realized the importance of making relaxation a routine.
Subtle Shifts Over 7 Days of Meditation for Sleep Practice
Gassho offers a guided meditation experience that feels accessible even to beginners, with simple steps anyone can follow, even beginners. Here’s my nightly Gassho routine:
- Turn off notifications
- Play the sutra audio
- Use headphones or a speaker
- Close your eyes and take deep breaths for 5–10 minutes
- Focus solely on listening
At first, I doubted it would work. I even caught myself checking social media out of habit. But by the fourth night, something shifted. The sound waves began to calm my mind, helping the noise in my head gradually fade away.
“Thinking won’t help. Let’s just listen.”
That mindset marked the start of a change. Meditation for sleep truly began to transform my nights.
The Feeling of Surrendering to Sound
We often associate meditation with concentration or “clearing the mind,” but my experience with Gassho was the opposite.
When I let go and simply surrendered to the sound, it felt like the rhythm of the chanting was syncing with my breath and soaking into my body. Instead of “thinking,” I was simply feeling. That shift is, I believe, the essence of meditation for sleep—the quiet guidance that gently leads us toward rest.
Is Phone-Based Meditation Counterproductive? What Science and Experience Show
I used to think, “Isn’t using a smartphone for meditation defeating the purpose?” But Gassho is an app you use only to fall asleep. If you turn off notifications and avoid other apps, the smartphone can actually become a powerful tool to support your sleep. In fact, research data supports the effectiveness of guided meditation and sleep aid apps. A 2024 meta-analysis found that mobile apps for sleep showed moderate improvement in insomnia symptoms and sleep quality.
How Is It Different from Aromatherapy or a Bath?
When we think of winding down, we often think of baths or essential oils. I love those too. But what I felt with Gassho was a different kind of peace— a quietness from within.
- Aromatherapy relaxes the body
- A warm bath eases tension
- Sutra + meditation calms the mind’s deepest layers
It felt like someone gently reaching into the quietest part of me. That’s the unique comfort I found through Gassho.
It's Okay Not to Be Perfect—What Matters Is Being Ready for Sleep
Thanks to Gassho, I no longer lie in bed thinking, “I have to sleep right now.” Instead, I can tell myself, “It’s okay to stop trying. You’ve done enough for today.” That shift has been my biggest change. Sure, I still have nights when I can’t sleep. But now, just having a quiet moment before bed makes tomorrow feel lighter.
Gassho as an Entryway into Meditation for Sleep
It’s not just about whether you fall asleep. It’s about how gently you arrive at the night. Gassho's meditation is not only a tool to help you fall asleep faster, but also a way to reset your heart before tomorrow. Even on nights when I couldn’t sleep, I felt relief knowing I had made space to relax and reset. This simple act of breathing, listening, and letting go through meditation for sleep has become my quiet anchor at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 1: Can I really fall asleep using my smartphone?
Answer: Yes. If you turn off notifications and focus only on the audio, your smartphone can actually help you sleep. The real issue with phones is the constant information stimulation. By using Gassho only for sleep, you eliminate unnecessary notifications and apps, directing your attention solely to the sound of sutra chanting and meditation—turning your phone into a “sleep supporter.”
Real Results: A 2024 meta-analysis published in ScienceDirect reported that sleep-support apps produced a moderate improvement in insomnia symptoms and overall sleep quality.
Takeaway: A smartphone, when used only for sleep, can be a reliable ally.
FAQ 2: Do I need to understand the meaning of the sutras?
Answer: No. Even without understanding the meaning, the sound itself can calm the mind. It’s less about comprehending the words and more about surrendering to the sound waves. Rhythm and intonation naturally slow the breath and ease busy thoughts.
Real Results: Many users report calm even when they don’t understand the words—my experience as well.
Takeaway: Don’t try to interpret the sutras—let the sound carry you.
FAQ 3: How long should I practice?
Answer: For beginners, 5–10 minutes is enough. Short sessions of “surrendering to sound” can bring deep relaxation; time will naturally extend as you get used to it.
Real Results: A study in JAMA reported significant sleep-quality improvements after 2 hours/week of meditation for 6 weeks.
Takeaway: Start small—consistency grows naturally.
FAQ 4: Does it only work if I keep it up every day?
Answer: Not at all. Even if you pause, what matters is being able to return—without the burden of perfection.
Real Results: Many find that coming back after a break quickly restores the sense of “this is what I needed.”
Takeaway: It’s okay to take breaks—knowing you can return is supportive in itself.
FAQ 5: How is Gassho different from other methods?
Answer: The unique strength is the resonance of the voice—it quiets mental noise and settles the whole mind as the rhythm spreads with the breath.
Real Results: Compared with aromatherapy or music alone, sutra chanting brought a deeper stillness to the core of the mind.
Takeaway: Voice resonance can deliver a rare, profound calm.
FAQ 6: Which is better, earphones or speakers?
Answer: Either—choose what helps you relax. Earphones create a private space; speakers bathe the room in calm. Switch based on posture or mood.
Real Results: Earphones on weekdays, speakers on weekends can feel like a small temple at home.
Takeaway: The right choice is the one that makes you feel at ease.
FAQ 7: Can beginners keep up with this practice?
Answer: Yes. You can start by simply listening to the sound—no need to force “emptiness” or strict breath control.
Real Results: Many first-time users say, “Just listening made meditation effortless.”
Takeaway: Don’t overthink it—listening is enough to begin.
FAQ 8: Can I use it if I wake up in the middle of the night?
Answer: Yes. Playing Gassho quietly helps calm thoughts so you can drift back to sleep.
Real Results: After two wakeful hours, starting Gassho brought drowsiness back in about 10 minutes.
Takeaway: When you wake at night, let sound carry you back to sleep.
FAQ 9: Can I combine it with aromatherapy or a bath?
Answer: Absolutely. A bath/aromatherapy relaxes the body, meditation calms the mind. Together they deepen relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Real Results: A warm bath followed by Gassho noticeably shortened time-to-sleep.
Takeaway: Relaxing the body + calming the mind = deeper, faster sleep.
FAQ 10: Does it help with more than just sleep?
Answer: Yes—stress relief and emotional balance, too. Quiet nights create mental space for the next day; Gassho is also a way to “reset.”
Real Results: Users (and families) notice less morning irritability and more positive mood.
Takeaway: Gassho supports sleep and restores inner balance.
Related Articles
- 2024 Meta-analysis (ScienceDirect): The effectiveness of smartphone app-based interventions for insomnia and sleep
Peer-reviewed synthesis reporting moderate improvements in insomnia symptoms and sleep quality from app-based interventions. - Study published in JAMA: Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances
Randomized trial showing mindfulness meditation improves sleep quality and daytime functioning. - Why Buddhist Chants Resonate with the Heart｜Gassho Blog
An accessible explainer on how chanting’s rhythm can soothe emotions and promote rest. - Breathing to Balance the Mind and Sleep｜Gassho Blog
Practical tips on breath-based practices that prepare the body and mind for sleep.