Hi,
I'm Greg,
And thanks for joining in this way.
I'm grateful for this time of connection.
As you're lying down,
Preparing to sleep,
Observe the things that are going through your mind.
There might be some things that are really important,
And you might want to write them down.
And now might be a good time to do that.
You might even pause this for a few moments while you write down some important thoughts.
This is part of the process of letting them go.
We're observing what's going through our minds,
What's been important from this day,
What thoughts have lingered from previous days,
Scanning for important experiences and important moments.
We're also scanning our bodies to see where these experiences have embedded themselves,
And in what way.
Maybe there's pain,
Maybe a throbbing ache or even something sharp.
Maybe there's tension.
Maybe there is peace and calm in the body.
Whatever you're experiencing,
Notice it.
Maybe even offer that sensation gratitude.
Part of being human is experiences that cause all sorts of emotional responses.
They cause all sorts of thoughts.
Often it's these emotions or thoughts that can keep us awake at night.
Sometimes these are important signals,
Things to pay attention to.
Sometimes it's the universe or God calling us to be somehow or take action in some way.
And it's important to respond to that.
Maybe not right now as you're falling asleep.
Other times these thoughts and feelings are more like noise,
Things that don't require a response.
They're still important and part of who we are.
But we might simply offer them gratitude and invite them on their way.
Knowing the difference between calls to action and noise takes wisdom.
Now though is the time to let all of the noise and the calls to action leave our bodies.
Now is the time for sleep.
As you find yourself in the position in which you will fall asleep,
Allow your body to relax fully into that position.
Maybe you're on a mattress,
Maybe on the floor or some other surface.
But allow your body to take on a sensation of sinking into whatever you're sleeping on.
Let's call it a mattress.
You might imagine that mattress coming up around your body in a very pleasant and peaceful way.
That's your body sinking into the mattress,
Finding groundedness through the mattress and other supports to the floor and ultimately to the earth,
To the ground.
Know that you are fully supported.
Allow the feet to be heavy and relaxed.
The lower legs and the knees and upper legs,
They all are heavy and sink gently into the mattress.
The hips,
Low back or belly,
Mid back,
Chest,
Upper back,
It's all relaxed and heavy.
The shoulders and arms and hands,
Hands are gently curled,
Fully relaxed,
Letting go.
The head and neck are supported as necessary and heavy,
Finding rest.
The face is relaxed.
The teeth are unclenched.
Breathing is smooth and relaxed.
In this state of relaxation,
We take on a visualization of a journey.
Breathing perfectly still and relaxed.
Imagine yourself traveling down a path as if on a hike.
It's not difficult though.
You're not working hard.
In fact,
It's effortless,
Surprisingly effortless.
The path itself has large-ish,
Smooth rocks.
And you're making your way easily over this path on this journey.
One might take this journey to be the journey of your life.
Maybe you know exactly where it's going or maybe you have no clue.
Allow that to be a peaceful experience,
Knowing that you're on a journey.
I imagine that on my journey,
I am walking with God.
Maybe for you that means walking with love or peace.
Walking with all the universe,
All the creatures of the universe.
Really relaxed and effortless.
As you're traveling down this path,
You notice that there's something on the rocks.
In fact,
Each rock has something on it and that something is a word or short phrase.
And each rock carries with it a memory or thought.
Collectively these rocks make up your existence,
All your memories and all your thoughts.
Maybe there are some big ones.
Maybe there are some that are hard to get over.
But each one is part of who you are.
Each one makes up your journey.
Maybe some of them are clear enough to read.
Maybe you can see what they are.
Maybe they're thoughts that are going through your head now or memories from this very day.
Maybe some stretch way back and you've actually lost awareness of them.
And it's only in this moment that they're coming back.
Although these rocks make up your life's journey,
At this moment you're not taking them with you.
You're traveling over them and leaving them behind.
You might start by looking closely at them to see what's written on them.
But as you continue to travel,
You soften your gaze.
And over time,
The words inscribed on the rocks begin to fade.
They blur.
You're aware that they're there,
But can't quite make out what they say anymore.
These thoughts,
These memories,
They'll always be there.
But you aren't taking them with you on this particular journey because now is a time of rest for the body,
Mind,
Spirit.
These memories,
These thoughts will be there eventually when you resume this part of the journey.
But for now,
They blur and fade.
As your journey continues,
The journey is still effortless and smooth.
The thoughts continue to fade.
They leave your consciousness.
They continue to leave your consciousness until there is emptiness.
There is quiet however you're traveling,
Maybe walking is perfectly quiet.
It's almost as if you're floating just above the ground.
Remember that there are rocks beneath you,
But unaware of what they say anymore.
On this journey,
You are safe.
On this journey,
You are loved.
On this journey,
You find peace.
May you find rest in this state of love and peace.
