Welcome to a meditation for attuning to steadfastness and stillness in the sanctuary of the silent saguaro.
Begin this practice in a position that is comfortable for you.
This can be sitting or lying down.
However,
You feel most at peace and relaxed.
If you wish,
You may close the eyes.
Begin by taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly.
Now,
Keep the awareness on the breath,
Simply noticing the breath without attempting to alter it.
Allow the neck and jaw to soften.
Allow the muscles to relax,
Releasing any tension they might be storing.
Allow yourself to fully absorb the peace of this moment in this sacred space you are now creating for yourself.
Envision a brilliant white light forming a circle around you.
This circle of protective white light guards your sacred space,
Filling it with love and light,
Allowing in nothing that does not contribute to your highest good.
In your mind's eye,
See yourself in the Sonoran Desert at twilight.
The sun is now setting.
It is not too hot,
And it is not too cold.
Perhaps there is a light breeze coming in from the distance.
Perhaps you hear birds singing,
Or the branches of mesquite trees rustling quietly and delicately.
You absorb the quiet majesty of this sanctuary.
You are welcome here.
You are safe here.
And you are wanted here.
Before you,
You now see in your mind's eye a saguaro cactus.
This desert giant stands very tall before you.
Its arms are reaching out,
But not in a forbidding way.
It is as if the saguaro is bidding you welcome,
And the longer you continue to observe the saguaro and connect with its spirit and magic,
You begin to see it as a protector,
A wise ancient protector,
Wishing to befriend you.
Saguaros exist in an extremely small area upon the earth.
Knowing this,
You become aware that you are standing upon sacred ground.
Standing in silence,
The saguaro cactus is a sentinel of the desert.
It bears witness to history over a span of time which most humans will never see.
The saguaro knows the mysteries of the desert.
Those mysteries it silently shares with us whenever we stand in its midst.
Once each year,
Flowers bloom upon the saguaro,
And it is at this moment when the desert giant begins to speak to us.
They are the most vibrant and captivating flowers in the desert,
And their return is celebrated and welcomed by all who have the privilege to witness them.
Yet,
The saguaro does not base its existence or worth on just this annual moment in time.
The saguaro radiates contentment during all seasons,
Even when it is not actively flowering.
Its message to us is to be steadfast at all times,
To thrive without requiring recognition in order to do so,
To watch and listen.
And when we do speak,
To make our words those of beauty and peace.
Before beginning your return to the present,
Your spirit speaks to the saguaro,
Telegraphing your gratitude for its message,
Its example,
And the welcome it extends to all.
Allow the awareness to return to the breath.
Begin allowing any excess energy you gathered for this practice to return to the earth,
Knowing that it will be there for you whenever you need it again.
Begin bringing the awareness to the sounds around you.
The sounds in this room.
The sound of my voice.
Be aware of the breath.
Be aware of the body.
Begin inviting subtle movements into the hands and feet,
The fingers and toes,
And eventually into the whole body.
And with gratitude and in peace,
Open the eyes.
May the tranquility of the desert fill your spirit,
And may there be beauty and strength in your blooms.
The crow flies from me to thee to send the message,
Blessed Be.
