Online Reference For Body, Mind & Spirit

Term: Incubation

DEFINITION:

An ancient technique of sleeping in a sacred area, such as in a temple, in order to receive a divinely inspired dream. There were apparently temples to Asclepius, the ancient Greek deity of health and healing, wherein people would sleep in order to receive a cure for an ailment. It has been suggested, however, that such sleep temples included the use of hypnosis and suggestion for healing purposes.