For homework, explore that place where you fall asleep, and explore it with full vital consciousness. Can you put yourself as close as you can to falling asleep and observe how you can cross over into that sub-conscious realm consciously. This is where meditation begins. Thinking about it, quieting the mind with the breath are the techniques to get to the point where you can slip thru that door consciously. Without being able to be awake in your dream state you’re just practicing meditation, you’re not meditating.