Have you ever dreamed of escaping to your own private island?
Would you like to go there now?
Let's go there now.
Before you begin,
Find yourself a quiet place to sit.
Turn off your phone and dim the lights.
This is your time.
A time for total relaxation and inner stillness.
Take a moment to make sure that you are warm enough and you are seated comfortably.
Rest your hands loosely in your lap and close your eyes.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in.
Hold it in for a minute,
And then slowly exhale,
Allowing any tension to melt away as you gradually relax more and more deeply with each breath.
Take another long,
Slow,
Deep breath in.
Hold it,
And then exhale.
Empty your lungs completely.
Take a third breath.
Take your time.
Hold it for a moment,
And then let it go.
Already you are beginning to drift into a state of deep relaxation.
Continue to breathe slowly and gently.
Relax.
Now bring your awareness to the top of your head.
Sense or imagine a feeling of relaxation beginning to spread down from the top of your scalp.
Let the muscles in your forehead and temples relax.
Allow your eyes to relax.
Let your cheeks and jaw soften.
Let go of all the tension.
This peaceful feeling flows down your neck and deep into the muscles in your shoulders,
Soothing them,
Releasing them.
Just breathe.
Allow this peaceful feeling to flow through your arms,
Relaxing and soothing all the way to the tips of your fingers.
As your body relaxes,
Your mind relaxes.
Your thoughts become weightless,
Like wisps of clouds on the breeze.
Now the peaceful sensation flows through your chest and your stomach.
Feel how this area gently rises and falls as you breathe,
Slowly and deeply,
Soothing and relaxing.
Turn your attention to your back.
Feel this relaxing sensation flow all the way down your spine.
Now the peaceful feeling flows through your lower body.
Relax your backside,
The back of your thighs,
The front of your thighs.
Feel all these large,
Strong muscles become loose and relaxed.
Soothing feelings flow down through your knees into your calves.
Now your ankles relax.
Your feet relax.
Your entire body is soft and calm.
Now it's time to leave the external world and go beyond in an inner journey,
A journey to a place of deep inner stillness.
Imagine that you're standing on a white,
Sandy beach.
It's very early in the morning,
And a light,
Hazy mist surrounds you.
The sun is rising slowly.
You can feel the warm orange light on your face and your body.
You're feeling content,
At ease,
Relaxed.
The sand beneath your bare feet is soft and warm.
A light breeze caresses your face.
The beach is deserted.
You have it all to yourself,
And you have all the time in the world.
Listen to the relaxing sounds of the ocean.
Its waves are breaking gently on the shore.
Begin to walk slowly through the mist.
Walk toward the water.
A small boat is waiting for you.
The boat is comfortable and steady.
Notice that it's tied to the shore with a strong rope.
Walk right to the water's edge and step inside the boat.
You are feeling completely at peace,
Completely safe,
And completely relaxed.
When you are ready,
Untie the rope and release it.
Relax and allow the natural currents of the ocean to guide you away from that beach.
Your boat drifts smoothly,
Rocking ever so gently in the water.
This rocking motion relaxes you even more.
The sun is higher in the sky.
Its light has gathered strength.
Notice that the mist that surrounds you is beginning to evaporate.
You can see the air becoming clearer and clearer.
Watch as the sun's rays dissolve all of the mist.
Now you can clearly see in every direction,
As though a veil has been lifted.
Sparkling ocean water surrounds you on all sides.
In front of you,
A small island comes into view.
Your boat moves closer and closer to the island,
Gliding slowly and effortlessly through the water.
The island is drenched in sunlight.
It is covered in tropical palm trees that sway gently in the breeze.
Your boat glides forward and comes to rest on the shore.
You have arrived.
Step out of the boat and take a moment to appreciate this place of sublime beauty.
Exotic birds dance from tree to tree,
And brilliantly colored flowers grow in abundance.
The air itself seems to shimmer and vibrate with pure luminous energy.
You can hear the soothing sound of the wind as it passes through the trees.
In this place,
You are free from all memories of the past.
You are free from all your concerns of the future.
You are free from your responsibilities.
This is a place of total peace,
And it is just for you.
You notice an opening between the palm trees.
In the center of this opening,
There is a narrow path that leads deep into a rich green forest.
Begin your journey into the heart of the forest.
Follow the path as it meanders between columns of ancient trees.
This forest seems familiar to you,
Like the memory of a pleasant dream or a place you visited as a child.
Walk deeper into the forest.
You are guided by a force that you trust,
And makes you feel safe,
Nurtured,
And still.
You have reached the very heart of the forest.
Before you is a shimmering pond of crystal clear water,
A pond of perfect stillness.
The pond is round,
And it brims with pure spring water.
Notice that the water is perfectly still,
Like a mirror free from even the slightest ripple.
A ladder with three steps leads down to the water.
You decide to bathe in this magical pond,
And you undress.
As you take the first step down into the pond,
You notice the wind has eased.
All trees have become motionless.
As each moment passes,
The world around you becomes more and more calm.
You yourself become more and more still.
As you lower yourself onto the second step,
All the birds in the forest become quiet.
Their silence is deep and reverent.
Now lower yourself onto the third and final step,
And glide into the water.
Feel yourself sliding into a deep state of relaxation.
In this pond,
Your thoughts simply melt away.
All is still.
All is silent.
The only sound that remains is the sound of waves far off in the distance.
Your mind seems to expand.
You feel timeless,
Vast,
Empty,
And relaxed.
For the next few moments,
Enjoy this experience of solitude and inner silence.
When thoughts arise,
Simply let them go and return your awareness to the sound of the waves.
When it's time,
I will guide you home.
Knotting Slowly bring your awareness back to the pond.
You are deeply relaxed and refreshed.
Now it's time to make your way back home.
Slowly begin to climb the ladder.
As your foot touches the lowest rung,
Notice how wonderful your body feels.
You feel light,
Clear,
And happy.
As you step up to the second rung,
The sound of the forest birds return.
Now step up the first rung on the ladder.
As your foot touches the step,
The breeze returns and the trees begin to sway.
Dress yourself and follow the path back to your boat.
You arrive.
Your boat is waiting for you,
Just where you left it.
Walk up to the water's edge and climb in the boat.
You are relaxed and secure,
And you know your boat will bring you home safely.
Your journey is effortless and calm.
Like all of the moments in your life,
Effortless and calm.
Relax and allow the current to guide you.
You arrive on your beach.
Step out of the boat and onto the sand.
You are home.
Slowly become aware of the room you are sitting in.
Move your fingers and your toes.
When you're ready,
Open your eyes.
Take your time and give yourself a few minutes to adjust.
Get up slowly and purposefully.
Welcome home.
