The following story is designed to calm your mind and help you to drift off to sleep.
It will allow you to transition into a relaxed and dream-like state while you simply listen to the words that are spoken.
Make sure that you're in a comfortable position,
Warm and cozy,
Or with a light blanket over you if it is summertime.
As the story develops,
You do not need to remember any details.
Simply let your creative mind drift off to new landscapes and comforting images.
It's perfectly normal to drift off to sleep.
In fact,
That is exactly what I invite you to do.
So let us begin now.
Take a deep breath in,
Filling up your body.
And as you exhale,
Allow your body to rest deeply.
Close your eyes and settle in.
Tonight,
We are traveling somewhere quiet.
Somewhere still.
A place that waits for you at the edge of a calm,
Moonlit lake.
There,
Tucked between the water and the trees,
Sits a small wooden tea house.
The windows close softly from within.
And a thin curl of steam rises through the roof into the cool night air.
You start to walk slowly toward this tea house,
Along a winding stone path.
The sound of your steps is gentle,
Soft on the earth beneath your feet.
The lake beside you is smooth and glassy,
Mirroring the stars and the moon above you.
Every so often,
The tiniest ripple stirs the water,
As if the lake itself is breathing.
The trees are tall here,
But they are kind.
They don't whisper or creak.
They simply stand,
Watching and observing everything that goes on around them.
As if they too are at peace.
You reach the tea house door,
A wooden panel worn smooth by years of care.
It opens with a soft creak,
Welcoming you in.
Inside,
The light is warm,
Golden,
Flickering gently from the candles that sit in the corners.
A figure steps out to greet you.
A kind,
Older host,
With a gentle smile and a soft voice.
They say nothing at first.
They just nod and gesture toward a cushion by the window.
You sit down.
The cushion is thick,
Soft,
And just the right shape to hold you.
From where you are sitting,
You glance out the window and you can see the lake again.
The moon is higher now,
Casting silver trails across the surface of the water.
You watch as tiny ripples catch the light and then fade.
The host reappears with a tray.
A small ceramic teapot rests on a carved wooden stand beside two tiny cups.
There's a gentle steam rising from the teapot.
You can sense it is something herbal,
Something calming.
You recognize a scent like chamomile,
Maybe lavender,
Or perhaps a hint of something floral like rose in the steam.
The host lifts the teapot and pours the tea slowly and mindfully.
The sound of the tea hitting the ceramic cup is delicate and soothing.
They offer you a cup and you take it in both hands.
The warmth between the palms of your hands is nourishing and grounding.
You let the steam touch your face as you take in the scents and sensations that exist in this cup.
And as you lift the cup to your lips,
You take your first sip,
Allowing the warmth to move through you.
The warmth is comforting,
It's gentle,
And makes your whole body and mind relax.
As you continue to sip on your tea,
You sit together with the host in silence.
Nothing needs to be said.
There's no rush.
No expectations.
Only stillness.
And presence.
And the taste of tea.
Outside,
You notice that the wind begins to move a little.
You hear the soft rustling of the leaves.
The gentle lapping of water on the shore of the lake.
And you close your eyes and take it all in.
You breathe and you feel as though you too are a part of this night.
You are part of the lake,
The trees,
The wooden cabin,
And even the tea.
You are part of the quiet essence that is present in the room.
You are part of the warmth that is emanating from the tea.
All around you is quiet.
You are safe here.
You are welcome here.
And you are home here.
Let the warmth of the tea stay with you as you start to drift off.
Let the sounds around you fade away as you sink deeper into this sense of calmness and presence that exists within you.
The tea,
The silence,
Are holding you softly and gently until sleep comes.
Allow yourself to drift off now,
Resting in this warm embrace.
