Hi,
Thanks for joining me,
Clara,
On this guided visualization for sleep.
This meditative visualization embodies the spirit of the season.
Before we begin,
Let's take a few moments for a simple breathing exercise to help with relaxation.
Find your favorite comfortable place.
Whether lying or sitting down,
Make sure your spine is straight and the room is dark or has lowered lights.
Close your eyes.
Take one slow,
Deep breath through your nose into your belly.
When your lungs are full of air,
Take a moment,
Pause,
And slowly exhale.
Exhale all the air out of your lungs,
Allowing your body to let go and have a moment to relax.
Let's repeat this type of breathing.
Slowly inhale into your belly,
Pause,
Then slowly exhale,
Letting go of all the energies that haven't been helpful for you today.
This calming breath work is one of the best ways to help relax if you feel any anxiety or stress during your daily life.
Consider taking a few minutes at different points during the day to focus on the way you breathe.
If you practice this breathing method,
You can expect better sleep,
Concentration,
And exercise.
It's overall beneficial for your body and soul.
As you step onto the sleigh,
You notice that it's made of sturdy wood and covered in thick layers of blankets and soft garments that provide excellent insulation against the winter chill.
The warmth and weight of the blankets cocoon you in comfort,
And the snug boots and hat complete your outfit with a style of the timeless clothing of the region's traditional people.
The boots are designed to withstand the elements and provide a secure footing for your journey across the snowy terrain.
They're fitted with sturdy soles that firmly grip the ground,
Ensuring you won't slip or slide on snow or ice.
As you and the reindeer journey deeper into the wilderness,
You're surrounded by snow-covered hills and forests that seem to stretch forever.
The beauty of your surroundings is so breathtaking that you're drawn to travel further and further into it.
The cold air is crisp and invigorating,
And with each deep breath,
You can feel your lungs filling with the freshness of the winter air.
And when you exhale,
The mist from your breath freezes into tiny ice crystals before dissolving into the cold air.
Adding to the magic of the moment,
The reindeer steadily pulls the sleigh forward.
Propelled by its powerful legs,
The sledge runners glide effortlessly over the snow,
Producing a soft and rhythmic sound that blends seamlessly with the gentle jingling of the harness.
The peaceful atmosphere makes everything seem to slow down.
The reindeer has a thick coat and remains unfazed by the cold,
The snow underfoot or the occasional snow flurries.
With each step,
Its hooves create a mark on the powdery ground,
Leaving behind a trail of imprints.
You feel a strong bond with your companion as it pulls the sleigh.
The reindeer's antlers sway,
Gracefully,
As you glide through the wintry landscape,
Framing the mesmerizing scene with ethereal beauty As you glide over the snow on your sled,
You notice that the snow beneath it is dry,
New and consists of powdery,
Loose and fresh ice crystals.
Your mind wanders.
As you take in the beautiful scenery,
You begin to think about the unique snow language used in different regions across the world.
For instance,
The Scottish language boasts over 400 words to describe snow,
And the Sami people,
Living in the far north,
Have 180 words,
Each representing a unique expression of their close relationship with the snow-covered environment.
Even the Icelandic language has 46 ways to express their winter experience.
It's interesting how various cultures have developed distinct vocabularies to describe the nuances of snow and winter.
You know a few words for snow.
Fern is a type of snow that's been around for at least one year and has survived a melt season without turning into glacier ice.
This snow gets denser over time and as new snow falls on top of it,
It eventually transforms into glacier ice.
Fern is a German word that means old.
One French term for young,
Granular snow that's melted and re-frozen is nebbe.
Its texture creates a quilt-like pattern.
Similar to the terrain you're traveling across in the sleigh,
Graupel is another type of snow that looks like small round pellets of snow or hail.
It's formed when super-cooled droplets of water freeze onto falling snowflakes.
Finally,
In Finland,
There's a specific word for snow that's suitable for making snowmen.
This word is nuska.
It's a wet,
Sticky snow that holds together well.
Then your thoughts wander to the different types of snow.
Seasonal snow,
Which accumulates and transforms throughout one season,
And perennial snow,
Which persists year after year,
Showing nature's resilience.
As you journey through the landscape,
You realize that these distinctions mirror the cycles of time imprinted on the snow beneath your feet.
During this meditation,
The snow takes on a new significance.
It transforms,
It changes into a poetic language.
A tapestry of cultural expressions that adds depth to your winter journey.
As you immerse yourself in the landscape,
You become more conscious of the physical sensations of the snow,
As well as the meanings that can be woven into its form.
Your journey continues and you eventually come across a vast frozen lake.
When you start crossing it,
The icy expanse becomes alive with eerie yet beautiful sounds.
The solid and unyielding ice beneath you,
Bearing the weight of the snow-covered world,
And the sleigh,
Creates a muffled chorus of creaks.
And groans that resonate through the frozen expanse.
The effect is mysterious and hypnotic.
The sound is coming from every direction,
As if the very ice beneath you is alive and speaking to you.
Once on the other side of the lake,
You follow a trail,
Or an animal path,
That leads through the forest.
The trees are bare,
But here and there,
A few leaves cling on,
Despite all the harsh winter elements.
Then,
The landscape transforms again as snow starts falling.
The snowflakes cascade down through the dark trees,
Creating the illusion that you're traveling through a galaxy of stars.
A sudden gust of cold winds from the north causes the trees to shudder and sway.
Sending the snow swirling and spiraling wildly through the air.
Despite the wintry chill,
You feel warm and cozy,
Wrapped in the soft,
Thick covers.
A few ravens take flight,
Flapping their wings,
And cawing loudly as they disappear above the treetops.
After what seems like hours,
You finally arrive at a small log cabin,
Situated in a clearing of the forest.
The reindeer comes to a gentle stop,
And you step out of the sleigh,
Feeling a renewed sense of wonder at the magic of this place.
When you turn around to take in your surroundings,
You notice with surprise that the reindeer and the sleigh have vanished,
Leaving you alone in this winter wonderland.
When you approach the house,
You notice icicles dangling from the eaves.
You push open the door,
And step into a cozy and unpretentious room with a wooden table,
Chairs,
And a comfortable bed.
The room is illuminated by a warm fire crackling in the hearth,
Casting a soft glow that flickers on the walls.
Some white candles on the mantelpiece emit a delicate fragrance of cinnamon and clove,
Adding to the ambience.
The space is adorned with sprigs of holly and garlands of evergreen,
While a bunch of wild mistletoe hangs from the ceiling.
Someone started creating a pinecone wreath on the table,
But it remains unfinished.
Outside the window,
The wind howls and whips the snow into a frenzy,
As if trying to catch up with something.
After your long journey,
The simple yet inviting bed,
With its patchwork quilt,
Beckons you to rest.
When you lie down,
The wind intensifies,
Causing the cabin to creak and sway ever so slightly,
Giving you the impression of being on a wooden ship,
Navigating through a stormy sea.
The light from the fire flickers and glows on the walls,
Creating a peaceful ambience,
And then,
You slowly drift into a deep,
Restful slumber.
