Bedtime Stories: A Unique Guided Relaxation Program for Falling Asleep and Entering the World of Dreams

by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

As a child growing up in a family of cantadoras (keepers of the old stories), Clarissa Pinkola Estés learned firsthand how a story told at bedtime can soothe away the troubles of the day and prepare the way for another night's dreams to follow. Now a beloved cantadora herself, Estés shares this treasured family tradition with you on Bedtime Stories, her own special collection of tales to relax and ease you to sleep.

Join this world-renowned Jungian analyst and bestselling author as she explores how to use stories as healing companions that open an aperture into the divine world of our dreams, as well as the meaning of archetypal figures like Mother Night and the Sandman, and themes such as renewal, enchantment and transformation. Includes original tellings by Dr. Estés of her bedside favorites, including "Sleeping Beauty," "The Mouse and the Lion," and more.

Genres: Audiobook, Psychology, Nonfiction, Mythology, Spirituality, Short Stories

Audio CD

First published May 1, 2002

About the author

An American poet, psychoanalyst and post-trauma specialist who was raised in now nearly vanished oral and ethnic traditions. She is a first-generation American who grew up in a rural village, population 600, near the Great Lakes. Of Mexican mestiza and majority Magyar and minority Swabian tribal heritages, she comes from immigrant and refugee families who could not read or write, or who did so haltingly. Much of her writing is influenced by her family people who were farmers, shepherds, hopsmeisters, wheelwrights, weavers, orchardists, tailors, cabinet makers, lacemakers, knitters, and horsemen and horsewomen from the Old Countries.

Reviews

[Baroness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable and soothing voice. I love how she always encourages one to be wild...

[selvi danacı · Rating 4 out of 5]

And I slept well

[PJ]

Dreamy and charming. About an hour long.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely way to fall asleep.

[Jonty Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this is literally meant to send you to sleep… I just read it as a normal book. I don’t know if Estes can reasonably claim authorship of these, but the stories contained in this small collection are classics, and very enjoyable. They’re grouped interestingly, and the bits of narration between were… alright. Enjoyed the fairy tales enough to elevate it to a 4-star read, though.

[Elizabeth Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sampling of gently told bedtime stories for adults plus breathing and relaxation exercises might be just the thing to send some off to sleepy land, but I was too engrossed in the alternate versions of familiar tales such as Sleeping Beauty to be lulled.

[Heather Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The purpose of this book is to help you sleep. It didn't help me fall quickly to sleep but I did fall asleep before all the stories were read, which was great.
It's not the stories she tells but the soft sound of her voice that makes this work. The background music was a bit distracting, I think the volume on it should have been turned down a bit. But maybe that was what helped the sleep process?
One thing I noticed right away and that was all the thoughts that typically jump around in my head when I'm trying to sleep were immediately quieted down when I listened to her voice.

[Erin McKittrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved to fall asleep to this lovely compilation of stories. As a bonus, Dr. Pinkola Estes voice is soothing and easily lulls you to sleep. It's been a long time since I've listened, mainly because CD players are not readily available in my house, but I still remember how wonderful this work is & the content feelings it brings out in myself.

[Elena Rego · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always feel quasi hypnotized by her narration and voice. This is a perfect piece to fall asleep to. The stories themselves are familiar with a bit of a twist that I feel contribute nicely to your dream time.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book indeed made me very relaxed and sleepy. I listened to it on walk, a slow, sleepy relaxed walked.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice stories to help you get to sleep. Once you can tune out to her run on sentences (and, and, and, and) they are pretty soporific.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The music in the audio book was somewhat depressing sounding instead of relaxing

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened three times and pretty quickly fell asleep each time; very relaxing.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice stories and yes, they did make me fall asleep :D .

[Paula Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened on audible

[Mily · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone interested in Jungian Analysis and dream interpretation.
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, PhD is BRILLIANT.
I've enjoyed every single book (and audio CD's of her talks)
She is a Junian Analyst and progressive thinker.

[Jo Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a great concept: bedtime stories for grown ups. Wish there were additional volumes.

[Buck Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was gonna be more psych. It wasn't. She's a good storyteller, though.