Find a comfortable seated position and gently close your eyes.
Begin by taking a deep breath in through your nose,
Filling your lungs completely,
And exhaling slowly through your mouth,
Releasing any tension or stress.
And now let your breath flow naturally,
Allowing yourself to settle into a state of relaxation.
As you continue to breathe deeply,
Allow yourself to sink into a state of stillness.
Feel the support of the earth beneath you,
Grounding you in the present moment.
With each inhale,
Invite a sense of peace and calmness to fill your body.
And with each exhale,
Release any thoughts or distractions that arise.
Now let's engage in the three-part breathing technique for further centering ourselves.
As you inhale deeply,
Feel your abdomen expand like a gentle wave rolling in from the ocean.
Hold your breath briefly.
And now exhale slowly,
Feeling the wave recede back into the bath seat.
With your next inhale,
Expand the ribcage outward,
Allowing the breath to fill the middle portion of your lungs,
And hold briefly again.
And then exhale,
Letting your ribcage return to its natural position.
And finally,
Take a deep breath,
Filling your upper chest and lungs completely.
Hold for a moment,
Then exhale slowly and completely,
Releasing any tension or tightness.
Continue with this breathing comfortably,
Just in and out through the nose,
Filling the belly,
The ribcage,
And the chest,
And exhaling fully.
Imagine yourself strolling through a serene garden.
The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.
As you walk along the winding path,
You come across a lush floral cutting garden.
The sun casts a warm glow over the vibrant array of blossoms,
And you feel a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty that surrounds you.
Ahead,
You spot a cluster of peonies just beginning to open,
Their petals unfurling like delicate marshmallows.
As you draw closer,
You notice the soft blush of pink and creamy white hues,
And you're captivated by the exquisite details of each and every bloom.
With gentle reverence,
You reach out and carefully select a few peonies to cut.
As you snip each stem,
You feel a sense of gratitude for the beauty of nature and the abundance it provides.
Holding the flowers in your hand,
You inhale deeply,
Taking in their intoxicating scent and allowing yourself to be fully present in this moment of connection with the earth.
Now you carry the freshly cut peonies with you as you make your way to a special milk glass vase that was gifted to you.
As you place each bloom into the vase,
You feel a sense of joy and appreciation for the simple act of arranging flowers and creating beauty in your surroundings.
The peonies stand tall and proud in the milk glass vase,
Their petals unfurling further and further with the warmth of your home.
Now you take a step back to admire your handiwork,
Feeling a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment that washes over you.
With the vase of peonies before you,
Allow yourself to relax now even further into a state of tranquility.
Feel the tension melting away from your body as you soak in the beauty and serenity of the moment.
Let go of any worries or cares,
Allowing yourself to be fully present with the flowers and the peace that they bring.
As we come to the end of our meditation,
Take a moment to reflect on the experience of connecting with the peonies and arranging them in a milk glass vase.
How you feel in this moment,
Perhaps a sense of peace,
Joy,
Or gratitude.
And know that you can return to this feeling of serenity whenever you need,
Simply by closing your eyes and reconnecting to your breath.
Carry the essence of these peonies with you as you move through the rest of your day,
Allowing their beauty to both inspire and uplift you.
And when you are ready,
Gently bring your awareness back to your surroundings.
Wiggle your fingers and your toes.
Take a few long,
Deep breaths.
Gently open your eyes,
Feeling refreshed,
Rejuvenated,
And deeply at peace.
Allow yourself to savor the tranquility and beauty of this meditation as you carry its essence with you into your day.
Have a lovely day.
I'm Colleen Rose.
