Meditation for the weary caregiver.
Rest in the arms of the earth.
Welcome.
Let's take a moment just to settle.
Find a comfortable position for your body.
Sitting or lying down.
An intentional message from body to brain that we're on a wee break.
As you settle,
Let your body soften just a little.
Let the hands rest gently,
Maybe on your chest or your lap or your belly.
Just finding the place where the hands would like to rest,
Soft and open.
And if it feels okay,
Let the eyes gently close over.
Take a slow,
Steady breath in and a long,
Gentle breath out.
Letting the breath now just return to its own rhythm.
Breath,
Just breathing.
Arriving like a kind companion.
Not something to fix or to force or to get right,
But rather just letting the breath be something that simply comes and goes.
As you breathe,
Know this.
You are safe here.
You are welcome.
You are not alone.
With the breath as your companion now.
Begin to imagine the earth beneath you,
Solid,
Steady,
Unmoving.
Feel her presence,
Ancient,
Grounding,
Trustworthy.
Let your body begin to release into her the weight of the day,
The worries you carry,
The invisible labor of love.
Let it all melt downward.
She can hold it.
You don't have to carry everything in this moment.
The earth knows how to carry things.
She has held rivers,
Trees and sorrow for centuries.
Let her hold you too.
Just for now.
Just for these moments.
Let your body begin to release into her the weight of the day,
The worries you carry,
The invisible labor of love.
Let it all melt downwards now into the earth.
She can hold it.
In the Celtic tradition,
We honor the land as a living presence.
The wind,
The hills,
The stones,
All are sacred companions.
Right now,
Imagine the soft light of moonrise wrapping around you like a cloak.
Imagine the trees nearby,
Standing in silent,
Supportive vigil.
And feel too,
If you would like to,
The quiet presence of your Anamkara,
A soul friend,
Someone who sees you,
Supports you,
Asks nothing of you.
Let them sit beside you now.
No words needed.
Just presence,
Nature and perhaps a soul friend.
You are not alone.
Let this moment be enough.
Let this breath be a beginning.
Let this silence be a balm.
Whisper to yourself,
I am allowed to rest.
I am allowed to rest.
I am worthy of care.
I am worthy of care.
I belong to this earth and she to me.
I belong to this earth and she to me.
Now,
Take a deeper breath in.
And slowly exhale.
Feel your body once again in contact with support.
The support beneath you.
The steadiness of your breath.
The quiet of your heart.
When you're ready,
Begin to gently bring yourself back.
Wiggle your fingers or toes.
Notice the light in the room.
And if your eyes are closed,
Open them now softly with kindness.
Perhaps allowing a slight smile to also arrive at your lips.
As you move now into the rest of your day,
Carry this truth with you.
You are seen.
You are valued.
And you deserve moments of deep peace.
May you return to this place within again and again.
Like coming home to your own sacred fire.
