Take a deep breath and allow your eyes to close.
Give your body permission to relax and be comfortable.
Allow your body to feel,
Really feel,
The contact that it makes with the chair and with the floor and let it adjust itself in any way it needs in order to be fully comfortable.
And as you tune into the rhythm of your breathing,
In and out,
In and out.
Imagine that when you inhale,
You're inhaling a little bit of the sky.
And it's very clear and very open and very refreshing.
Every time you inhale,
Let the sky fill your body with light and openness,
Clarity and beauty.
And when you exhale,
Imagine that you're letting go of everything that's old and stale and stressful.
Exhibilites,
To-do lists,
Chores,
Cell phones ringing.
Every time you exhale,
Just let go of all of this easily and naturally.
Inhaling in and breathing out.
Inhaling the light,
Clear sky.
Exhaling that which is stressful.
Inhaling exhaling.
Finding your own inner rhythm of breath.
Listening within.
Your body is relaxing a little bit more,
A little bit more,
With every out-breath.
Allow your imagination to be open and receptive.
Still breathing in and breathing out.
You're going to take a little journey now.
In your mind's eye,
Put on your favorite jacket and walking shoes.
Imagine yourself opening the door to your apartment or house and leaving right now.
Leave the building you are in and close the door gently behind you.
Your home will be there for you when you are ready to return.
All is safe.
Now imagine yourself walking outside your home and through the power of your imagination,
You can bring yourself very quickly anywhere you want.
So find yourself walking.
Walking somewhere safe and beautiful and peaceful and quiet.
In the woods or by the ocean,
Near a river or a flower-filled meadow.
Walking slowly or quickly,
Whatever suits you right now,
In this moment.
Walking at whatever pace feels most comfortable to you.
Notice the air around you.
How does it feel on your skin?
If it's warm,
You might need to take off your jacket.
Maybe you want to go barefoot.
Is the sun out or is it nighttime?
Become aware of any sounds close to you or in the distance.
Birds,
Animals,
Other people,
Water.
Or maybe just the whisper of the leaves on the trees.
What do you hear?
You are walking a bit more slowly now and it feels like you are looking for something.
You are feeling a bit tired and lonely now and you decide that you want some company.
So you begin to look for a cottage or a small house or another dwelling place.
You will know it when you see it.
Your soul will recognize this place as home.
You spend a little time walking around this little house.
And after a while,
You notice that the front door is open and a child is standing in the doorway.
You start walking towards her.
This is your inner child.
When you are standing in front of her,
Reach out to her and hold her hands.
You might want to stoop down so that you are on her level and look into her eyes.
Say to her,
I remember you.
I know you.
And notice how she responds to you when you say this.
Notice everything about her.
How old is she?
What is she wearing?
What kind of shoes does she have on?
What does her hair look like?
Allow your inner child to bring you into her favorite room in this little house.
Where does she take you?
As you enter this room with your inner child,
Notice that there is a big comfortable rocking chair there.
Go to the rocking chair.
Sit in it.
Invite this precious child onto your lap.
Hold her and rock her here for a while.
What does this feel like?
After a while,
Ask your inner child if there is anything she needs or wants from you.
What can you do for her?
How can you help her?
What can you give her?
Listen carefully.
What is she saying to you?
Now continue rocking your little one in this beautiful room,
In this comfortable and safe little house you've found for your soul.
Rocking slowly.
Giving comfort.
Receiving comfort.
And just for a moment,
See if you can switch places with the child.
Just for a moment.
Imagine that you are the little one who is being held and rocked in the arms of a loving,
Tender adult being.
Slowly being rocked by this loving grown-up.
If you can,
Allow their big,
Unconditional love to wash over you.
You might imagine that you are being held by an angel,
Or by your own mother,
Or by an imaginary mother who only sees the good in you.
Who only wants the best for you.
Whose only response to you is love.
Allow yourself to bask in this for a few moments.
You are the child.
Allow yourself to be a little girl again.
Allow yourself to be held and cherished.
Imagine as this beautiful being asks you what you need or want right now.
What do you need?
What do you want?
How do you respond?
What are you saying to this one who loves you just as you are?
Who rocks you tenderly in this beautiful,
Safe place?
Right now,
Just in this moment,
What do you need?
What do you want?
Allowing yourself to be rocked gently.
Gently rocking.
Now,
Switch places again with the loving adult.
You are the loving adult who is rocking this beautiful,
Precious child.
You might want to kiss this child on the forehead.
You might want to stroke her hair.
Find some way to communicate how much you love her.
How much you will always love her.
Now tell her that it's time for you to go.
And if it feels right,
Ask her if she would like to go with you.
Maybe she has some questions.
Listen and see what she has to say about going with you.
If she has agreed,
Gently set her down on the floor and take her hand as you get up from the rocking chair.
See if she needs a coat or hat or shoes or gloves before you leave the little house.
Then,
Hand in hand,
Walk out together.
And begin to retrace your steps slowly.
If she does not want to come with you at this time,
Reassure her that that is perfectly fine.
Remind her that you can hear her and that you can be there with her anytime she calls out for you.
Thank her for letting you spend this time with her today.
Then say goodbye to her lovingly and begin to retrace your steps slowly.
Walking back the way you came.
Finding your way back home.
To the street that you live on.
To the apartment building or house that is yours in the real world.
Remember that you are not walking alone.
This little girl is with you and she is in your care.
Show her you're home.
Allow her to explore.
Notice her delight to be sharing this time and this life with you.
Now,
Take a few moments to focus on your breath.
Feel your feet on the floor,
Your legs,
Your back against the chair or whatever you are sitting on.
Feel your shoulders,
Your neck,
Your head.
Again,
Feel your breath as it enters through your nose and mouth,
Shimmers through your body,
Then exits.
Feel your stomach rising and falling with each breath.
Then,
In your own time,
Slowly come back to the room.
The room you are in.
And when you are ready,
Open your eyes.
There is no rush.
Take your time.
All is well.
All is well.
All is well.
All is well.
All is well.
