Welcome.
This is The Lantern Path,
A journey into deep and peaceful sleep.
As you listen,
Allow your breath to slow,
Allow your body to settle,
And your mind to soften.
Tonight is a gift,
A pause between what has been and what is yet to come.
I invite you to take a slow,
Easy breath in through your nose and gentle breath out through your mouth.
Allow your eyes to close and your thoughts loosen their grip.
There's nowhere to go right now,
Nothing to do.
You are safe here,
And this is your time to rest.
I invite you to bring awareness to the top of your head.
Imagine warm,
Golden light resting there.
Feel that light slowly moving across your forehead,
Softening the space between your brows.
Allow it to drift down to your eyes,
Behind them,
Relaxing every muscle that has scanned or focused today.
Soften your cheeks,
Your jaw,
Your tongue resting easily in your mouth,
Allowing your shoulders to drop,
Your arms feeling heavy and completely supported.
This light moves gently across your chest,
Releasing the weight of everything you carried today down through your belly,
Loosened,
Unhurried,
Across your hips,
Down your legs,
All the way to your feet.
Each exhale sends away tension.
Each inhale brings calm,
Silvery stillness.
Your whole body feeling comfortably heavy,
Grounded,
Safe,
A quiet vessel floating toward rest.
And our bedtime story begins.
Tonight,
You find yourself standing on a quiet moonlit path.
In your hand,
You hold a small lantern.
It's flame,
Steady,
Golden and warm.
The air around you hums with evening sounds,
Soft crickets,
Whispering leaves.
The world has exhaled,
And you're part of that exhale.
You begin to walk,
Each step light,
Rhythmic.
The ground beneath you is softer,
Cushioned by fallen pine needles.
The forest smells sweet,
Wood.
As you walk,
You notice how a lantern's glow brushes the edges of the trees,
Coaxing hidden shapes of light.
A fox pauses in the distance,
Golden eyes glimmering,
Curious,
Gentle.
You cross a narrow wooden bridge.
Beneath it,
A quiet stream moves,
Reflecting your light like glass.
The air grows cooler as you ascend a small hill,
Your lantern guiding the way.
With the stars,
The moon,
All shedding light.
At the hilltop,
You see it,
A small cottage,
Windows glowing softly in the dark.
Smoke curls from its chimney,
Carrying the scent of firewood,
And something sweet,
Maybe honey,
Maybe tea.
You walk to the door and gently push it open.
Inside,
Warmth greets you like an old friend.
There's a crackling fire,
A soft chair,
And a blanket waiting just for you.
You set your lantern on the mantle.
Its light mingles with the firelight,
Filling the room with a deep golden calm.
You pour a cup of tea,
Fragrant steam rising.
You take slow,
Mindful sips,
Feeling warmth spread through your body.
Every sound,
The fire's soft pop,
The hum,
Inviting you to deeper rest.
You sink into the chair,
The blanket around your shoulders.
Outside,
Night deepens,
Stars blooming across the sky,
The moon casting a warm glow.
The lantern's flame grows smaller,
Until it becomes a gentle point of light,
Somewhere between waking and dream.
You feel your body growing heavier,
As though becoming part of the earth beneath you,
Letting go of all effort,
Allowing your breath to find its own rhythm.
You let sleep come naturally,
As you drift into stillness.
The path is clear.
Rest deeply.
