Everything Zen
Waking Up Like a Tibetan Monk

You know those few seconds in the morning when you’re right between consciousness and sleep...

Those are nice.

Until your alarm goes off and all hell breaks loose.

Maybe try something a bit less abrasive tomorrow.

And a bit more like waking up in a Tibetan monastery.

Harness your chi for ZenAwake, a new iPhone app that uses Tibetan bells and chimes and other meditation-y sounds to softly wake you from your slumber, available now.

The Dalai Lama. Great guy. Great robes. Also, this is the alarm version of him. It’s all about meditation and relaxation. The low-frequency chimes are meant to focus the mind and whatnot. Something about the solar system and math and the golden ratio. You’re not worried about it.

Once you download the app, tell it what kind of sleeper you are (“Zen” means light and “Buddha” means heavy). Then, close your eyes and dream dreams. When it’s time to get up, you’ll start subconsciously hearing gong-like sounds, followed by a barely there pulsing chime. It’s kind of like waking up on a cloud made of cotton candy and babies’ dreams. (So we hear.)

Oh, and look at your phone’s screen. Those are random inspirational quotes from guys like Buddha and Confucius.

There goes your “No philosophy before 9am” rule.