Hello and good evening.
Thanks for being here today.
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.
So go ahead and make sure that you're in a comfortable position,
Warm and cosy,
Or with a light blanket over you if it is summertime.
As the story develops,
You don't need to remember any details.
Simply let your creative mind drift off to new landscapes and comforting images while allowing the body to rest deeply.
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 and long breath in,
Filling up your body.
Then exhale and release a long,
Slow breath out.
Close your eyes and settle into your body.
Tonight,
We're journeying into the Australian bush.
As the first light of dawn stretches across the sky,
You find yourself standing at the edge of an ancient Australian bushland.
The air is crisp,
With a hint of eucalyptus carried on a gentle breeze.
Ahead lies a winding path,
Glowing with the soft golden light of the rising sun as it filters through the leaves of the gum trees.
You take a deep breath,
Savouring the clean,
Earthy scent.
And as you exhale,
You begin to walk your journey into the heart of the bush.
With every step,
The world around you begins to stir.
The ground beneath your feet is soft,
Covered in a thick layer of fallen leaves.
You hear the crunch of twigs and leaves,
Almost as if the earth is inviting you to tread softly,
To connect with the rhythm of the land.
Above you,
The sky is a brilliant canvas of pastel blues and gentle pinks.
With the last remnants of stars fading into the morning light,
As you walk,
You become aware of the symphony of sounds that surround you.
The laughter of the kookaburras echoes through the trees,
Reminding you of the untamed beauty of this place.
In the distance,
You hear the squawk of a cockatoo.
Or is that a magpie,
Harmoniously rustling with the leaves?
The bush is alive,
Vibrant with the songs of countless creatures.
Each one is adding its voice to the chorus of the wilderness.
The path before you winds gently,
Leading you deeper into the embrace of the bush.
The deeper you go,
The more the trees grow taller and denser.
The bark of the trees is rough and textured,
As though each one has a unique story to tell.
You reach out to touch one of the majestic gum trees before you,
Feeling the cool surface under your fingers.
What texture do you notice here?
What colors can you see in the bark?
You pause for a moment,
Closing your eyes and pressing your palms against the tree,
Feeling the energy of the land pulsing through it,
Connecting you to the ancient roots that have been here forever.
Continuing your journey,
You notice the variety of plants that exist on the forest floor.
Soft ferns unfurl their delicate fronds,
Creating a lush,
Green blanket beneath the trees.
And wild flowers pop out from beneath the undergrowth,
In shades of purple,
Yellow,
And white.
Each of their petals shimmering with the morning dew.
Each step you take releases the fragrance of the bush,
A blend of earthy wood,
Sweet blossoms,
And the fresh,
Sharp scent of eucalyptus.
As you walk,
You encounter a small creek winding its way through the bush.
The water is clear and cool,
And the gentle babble of the stream creates another soothing melody,
Inviting you to pause and rest.
You find a flat rock by the water's edge,
And here you sit,
Dipping your fingers into the cool,
Flowing water.
The creek glistens in the sunlight,
Its surface dotted with tiny ripples that dance and shimmer like liquid silver.
You close your eyes and let the sound of the water wash over you.
It takes away your worries or your fears,
And leaves you with a sense of deep calm within your body and your mind.
In this moment of stillness,
You become aware of the presence of the bush around you.
The trees seem to whisper secrets to one another,
Their leaves rustling in the breeze.
A pair of rainbow lorikeets move from branch to branch,
Their vibrant feathers a burst of color against the blue sky.
A wallaby grazes quietly nearby,
Its soft eyes watching you with a mix of curiosity and trust.
You feel a deep connection to these creatures.
To the land itself.
As if you are all part of the same ancient,
Living tapestry.
After a time,
You rise and continue your journey along the path.
The sun has started to climb higher now.
Its warmth filtering through the trees,
Bathing the bush in a soft golden glow.
You come across a clearing where the trees part to reveal a wide expanse of open sky.
Here the landscape changes.
Red earth beneath your feet,
Dotted with hardy shrubs and the occasional wildflower.
In the distance,
The rugged outline of a mountain range looms,
Its peak covered in a light mist.
You step into the clearing,
Feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin.
The air is still,
With only the soft hum of insects and the occasional call of a bird.
As you walk,
You notice the tracks of some animals in the red earth.
Kangaroos,
Wombats,
Perhaps even a dingo.
The tracks are a reminder of the life that thrives in this seemingly harsh environment.
Each creature plays its part in the delicate balance of the bush.
The path begins to climb now,
Leading you toward a ridge that overlooks the surrounding landscape.
The ascent is gentle.
The earth is firm beneath your feet.
And soon you find yourself standing at the top,
Gazing out at the breathtaking view before you.
The bush stretches out in all directions.
A sea of green and red,
With a silver ribbon of the creek winding its way through the land.
The sky above you is a brilliant blue,
With only a few wisps of cloud drifting lazily through it.
You sit down on a large rock now,
At the edge of the ridge,
Taking in the vastness of the land before you.
The wind picks up,
Carrying with it the scent of the bush,
Mingled with the faint tang of salt from the distant ocean.
You feel a profound sense of peace,
As if the land itself is embracing you,
Welcoming you into its timeless,
Unchanging world.
As the sun begins its descent toward the horizon,
You know it's time to start your journey back.
But as you retrace your steps,
The magic of the bush stays with you.
The colors of the landscape deepen in the fading light.
The sounds of the bush soften as the day draws to a close.
The path leads you back to the edge of the bush,
Where you first began your journey.
The Australian bush,
With its ancient trees,
Hidden creatures,
And endless beauty,
Has shared its secrets with you.
So carry them with you as you leave,
Knowing that the bush will always be there,
Waiting for you.
To welcome you back whenever you need to find peace,
Connection,
And the quiet whisper of nature's embrace.
You allow yourself to drift into a restful sleep,
Dreaming of the tranquil bush,
And the comforting sounds of the Australian wilderness.
