If you have the opportunity to do this meditation with the setting of the sun,
Or in a space dimly lit with warm light,
I highly encourage doing so.
As we begin,
And at your own pace,
Slowly move into a comfortable meditative position of your choosing.
This could be in your favorite seated posture,
Relaxed on the back,
Or even laying down in bed.
As we approach the end of the day,
We desire to unwind and enter into a calm place physically,
Ensuring we receive minimal distractions from our body which has carried us through this day,
Promoting easier passage inward and into stillness.
From this place of stillness,
Begin to notice your breath.
To slow ourselves down,
Our mind down,
We slow the breath down.
Notice the different feelings as air moves into the nose and down into the abdomen,
Filling to the front,
Back,
And sides of the body,
And then the inverse of those feelings as the air filters slowly back out through the nose.
Continue to focus on the slow in and out movements of your breath.
We can imagine our inhale carrying inward a safe,
Warm feeling,
Light to combat the dark,
And life force to carry us into and through tomorrow.
We can imagine our exhale releasing the day's tension,
Anxiety,
Stress,
And anything our being needs to let go of.
Now,
In your mind's eye,
Picture the sun as it slowly moves downward towards the horizon before you.
Imagine the beautiful palette of colors that spreads throughout the sky as the rest of the world dims and the world's forms fall out of focus.
The setting of the sun signifies the end of another day and offers a particular moment of reflection.
How did this day unfold?
Was it different than how you imagined it this morning?
Starting into tomorrow,
How would you like it to go differently?
Consider your mind's initial response to these thoughts.
On top of reflecting on the content of the day just past,
I believe it's important to identify what about it we are grateful for,
No matter how big or small.
Doing this will bring positive energy that we can carry into our time of rest.
For the next little while,
Consider these questions and what the setting of the sun signifies for you.
As always,
I will be here to bring you back when it is time to move on.
Thank you.
Slowly,
Begin to release the practice of the last little while.
Feel free to now open the eyes as well.
Allow the fluctuations of the mind to shift towards continuing to wind down the thought of rest and then give in to the inclinations of the body to stretch and move.
Thank you for spending this time with me today in meditation.
I hope to see you again soon.
With love and light,
Namaste.