Hello.
Welcome to this guided meditation called Walking with Grief and Finding Peace.
Let's begin by settling into a comfortable position,
Closing your eyes or leaving it a soft focus.
Just take a deep breath in,
Just feeling the cool air fill your lungs.
Slowly exhale,
Releasing any tension that you might be holding on to.
Just allow your breath to flow naturally,
Just steady and calm like a quiet stream.
Just bring your awareness to the surface beneath you,
Noticing that it's solid and supportive.
Imagine that with every exhale,
Your body softens,
Just releasing into that support.
Starting with your feet,
Then just allow this relaxation to gently flow upward through your legs,
Into your hips,
Your lower back.
Just feel your breath deepen,
Drawing calmness into your chest and heart.
Just allow your shoulders to soften and drop,
Just relax.
Allow that sensation of relaxation to travel down your arms,
Into your hands,
Also up through your neck and face.
With every breath,
Just allow your whole being to sink into stillness,
Supported by the earth,
Held gently in this moment.
In your mind's eye,
Picture yourself walking along a quiet forest path.
Notice that the air is cool and the cold night filters softly through the trees.
It's as if the world itself is holding you in its arms.
With each step,
Feel the ground beneath you,
Solid yet forgiving,
Guiding you forward.
Now ahead of you,
Notice a small stone figure standing along the path.
You see it's a kind and gentle presence,
The guardian of travelers.
This is Jiso,
The protector of those in transition,
The one who carries burdens too heavy to bear alone.
You pause before Jiso,
And you feel an invitation to set down what you are carrying,
Only for a moment.
Imagine the weight of your grief is something tangible,
A stone,
A bundle,
Or even just a feeling held in your chest.
Know that you do not need to let it go completely.
You need only share it,
And see yourself placing this weight in Jiso's hands,
Where it is held with infinite compassion and care.
Feel the lightness in your body as you take a breath,
Sensing that you are no longer alone in your sorrow.
Jiso,
With the infinite patience of one who understands,
Reminds you that grief is not a burden to be eradicated,
But a path to walk,
Step by step,
At your own pace.
As you continue along the path,
You come to a clearing,
And in the center there's a small garden.
And this is not a perfect garden.
It is wild,
With blooming flowers,
Soft moss,
And even tangled roots.
And it feels alive,
Beautiful in its imperfection.
Just take a moment to sit here,
And let yourself simply be.
And as you breathe in,
Feel the freshness of the air,
The cool earth beneath you.
You have been knowing that this garden is a place where all emotions are welcome.
It holds no judgment,
Only space for you to feel.
And if tears rise,
Let them fall,
Knowing that they are like rain,
Nourishing the soil of this place.
And if your heart feels heavy,
Let it settle into the ground,
Knowing the earth can hold it.
And if there's even a flicker of lightness or hope within you,
Let it grow like a small bud pushing through the soil.
Jizo is here too,
Sitting quietly in the garden,
A steady presence.
You sense that grief is not something to overcome,
But something to carry with grace,
As it's transforming over time.
The space reminds you that life and loss are intertwined,
And even in sorrow,
There is beauty in meaning.
Just take a moment to look around this garden.
Perhaps there's something here that speaks to you,
A flower,
A tree,
A stone.
Imagine as a symbol of your connection to those you've lost.
You can carry it with you,
A reminder that love endures even in the face of loss.
And as you prepare to leave the garden,
Take one last look around,
Feeling the peace of this space,
The quiet acceptance it offers.
Carry this sense of connection and calm with you as you rise and begin walking back along the path.
Jizo is still beside you,
A gentle companion,
Reminding you that you are not alone on this journey.
And with every step,
Feel your breath steady and strong,
Like the rhythm of the earth beneath your feet.
Notice how the forest changes as you walk.
The golden light grows softer and the air feels warmer,
And you sense that while grief remains a part of you,
It is not all of you.
There is still room within you for light,
For joy,
For healing.
And as you return to this moment,
To the surface beneath you and the breath within you,
Take a moment to thank yourself for this time of care and reflection.
And as you do so,
Maybe wiggle your fingers and your toes,
Reconnecting with your body.
And when you're ready,
Open your eyes and carry with you this quiet strength of this journey,
The knowledge that grief,
Like the seasons,
Is always in motion.
With patience and compassion,
You are finding your way.
Thank you.
