The Hour You Stop Standing Guard

For the body that stays on duty long after the day is done. This practice is for the part of you that keeps watch at night — the guard that reads every sound and holds every door. Not to send it away, but to let the watch change hands for one hour, so sleep can finally close the door behind you.
Lie down. Nothing is coming. Nothing is owed.

Transcript

You made it to the end of the day. Nothing more is asked of you now. This hour belongs to no one. Not even to your watchfulness. Let your body relax. Find the bed completely Let it hold every place. You usually hold yourself your jaw. Your shoulders. The small muscles behind your eyes. Somewhere in you. A guard is still standing. It has stood there for years. Watching Doors Reading Rooms. Staying half awake so nothing could surprise you. You don't have to send the guard away. You only have to let it know. That for this one hour the watch can change hands. The night can hold the door. Let one breath arrive. And leave. Without guarding even that. If it helps. Stay quietly inside. Nothing is coming. Nothing is owed. I can be off duty now. And let those words do the standing for you. Notice how the room keeps being safe. Without your help. The walls keep standing. The night keeps passing. All of it. Unsupervised. Repeat quietly if you'd like. I am allowed to rest. Before everything is certain. Sleep is not a door left open. It is a door I can finally close. The guard in me can sleep too. Let sleep come the way night comes. Not decided. Just allow it. Namaste. This was Meditai. Come back whenever you need to.