When you have hard time going to sleep, it is probably because a certain part of you doesn't want to go into that trance like state. That has happen to me before. What i learned to do is do some meditation before bed and relax my mind and body, and let my mind be open to the spirits that surround me and any other kind of message that i may receive. Don't worry about going into that trance because it may be a important message that you may be getting, same thing with waking up at the same time every night. Meditate and let your mind be open to the spirits that surround you, and if there is no message, it will help you to relax and fall asleep again.

Also, i do believe that spirits how ever are everywhere, they are more attracted to people who are more sensitive to the "paranormal" to communicate with them.

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~James