Making sure that you are in a comfortable position as we begin to slow our breath.
Deepening the inhale down into the belly and closing your eyes when you are ready.
Now taking a breath in together through the nose and as you exhale releasing any clinging thoughts or to-do's,
Making some space for what is to come.
Breathing in again as you exhale allowing your body to soften.
Imagining now that the sun is rising on a new day.
You are standing outside taking in the colors,
Breathing in the arrival of the light deeply and slowly.
Feeling its warmth spreading across your skin.
You feel into your heart space and a quiet knowing within whispers it's all going to be okay.
You spot a tree off in the distance that seems to be calling to you so you begin to walk towards it.
As you get closer you think wow it must be so old.
This tree is so big and so tall with branches reaching so wide.
The trunk thick and strong.
You wonder how many storms it has withstood,
How many times has it been blown by the fierce winds or stayed rooted in torrential rains.
Perhaps it has even been struck by lightning.
Yet here it stands.
Once you find yourself in front of the tree take a moment to pause.
Welcome a deep breath in through your nose and a long exhale as you relax your face.
Becoming aware of the way this living being,
This tree is receiving the carbon dioxide you release.
Using it as nourishment and then returning that gift to you in the form of fresh oxygen.
This is a symbiotic relationship.
Always has been.
One of earth's stewards,
This tree,
All trees are beautiful allies for the people and animals here on this planet we call home.
You acknowledge this and offer gratitude before gently placing both hands upon the trunk.
Instantly you feel a sense of peace,
Of calm flood into you.
Now begin to bring to your awareness something in your life you are facing or going through that is difficult or challenging.
Perhaps there is some kind of obstacle you can't quite seem to overcome.
Maybe this is something in a relationship or something within.
Whatever you have brought to mind we are going to be offering it to this tree.
So with humble intentions and trust in your heart allow the mind's grip on this situation to loosen.
Letting its energy flow out and into the tree where it is taken down deep into the ground.
Dispersed by its roots into the earth below.
Here it will be absorbed,
Transformed and returned back to you in a different form.
Just as your breath is.
As the tree,
The soil,
The entire living network thriving beneath you begin to compost what has been released.
Gently remove your hands from the trunk and lie down on the ground for a minute of relaxation.
Here in this moment see if you can welcome a sense of freedom,
Joy,
No thoughts,
No worries,
Just you,
The earth,
The air,
The sun above and the tree.
Let a smile spread within and relax.
Taking a few easy natural breaths.
You begin to listen for any messages that might want to be shared with you from the roots below,
The mycelium,
The insects,
The worms,
The grass,
The breeze.
Simply listening.
Sensing now that it is time to stand,
You slowly get up and look at the tree once more.
Your eyes gaze upward and you understand that you need to travel to the top.
Without fear and with the grace of a cat you begin to climb over and through the many branches,
Past any doubts,
Past any memories,
Stories or judgments that are holding you back,
Through any leaves,
Moving with ease.
Up,
Up,
Up you go until you break through to the very top.
Here,
Balanced perfectly,
Light as a feather,
You rest and begin to look around.
This is the bird's eye view of the challenge or difficulty you are facing.
This is what you haven't been seeing because your vision has been blocked by all that you have just climbed through.
Take some time here to look around,
To feel.
What do you see?
What wisdom does it hold?
How does it feel to be clear here at the top?
One last look around before taking a deep breath in,
Holding it and exhaling fully.
Ahhhh.
Then finding yourself safely standing once more at the bottom of the tree.
If you'd like,
You can offer it a hug or another loving gesture of appreciation before beginning to bring your awareness back into your physical space,
Welcoming some gentle movements and fluttering your eyes open when you are ready.
