Yoga Nidra For Awen

Awen is a Welsh word meaning inspiration, specifically divine inspiration. This practice with shamanic drumming is designed to assist you in connecting with the flow of the spiritual illumination as you welcome inspiration into yourself. No previous yoga experience is necessary for this systematic meditation; you only need a willingness to relax and be open to deep rest. This particular practice is from the Wiccan standpoint, but all relationships are honored and welcome.

Transcript

Welcome to Yoga Nidra for Owen.

Owen is a Welsh word meaning inspiration,

Specifically divine inspiration,

The spiritual illumination that flows like a river.

In this practice,

We will be connecting with Cerrigwyn,

The Celtic goddess of rebirth and transformation,

The keeper of the cauldron,

Which contains and from which flows the gift of Owen.

Many Wiccans and modern pagans consider Cerrigwyn to be the shape-shifting goddess of the underworld,

Of knowledge and rebirth.

Begin by lying down in Savasana,

Allowing the body to sink into the earth and be supported by the earth.

Be comfortable,

Making any adjustments as needed.

The feet are positioned slightly wider than the hips.

Allow the feet display out to the sides.

The palms are slightly away from the hips.

Make sure you are in a position that will be comfortable for the duration of this practice.

Relax the shoulders,

Relax the arms,

Relax the hips,

The back,

The knees,

The ankles.

Lift the head a few times to release any tight spots from the back of the neck.

Now allow the eyes to close and keep them closed for the entire practice.

If you feel any tension or tight spots in any part of the body,

Take the awareness to that body part and consciously relax that body part.

Please try to remain still during this practice.

If you become uncomfortable,

Please feel free to make changes using minimal movement.

It is natural to flow in and out of conscious hearing during this practice.

Understand that whatever the experience is today is the experience meant for you.

There is no wrong way to do this.

Do not fall asleep.

Know that you are in a safe environment,

In sacred space.

Stay awake by listening to the sound of my voice.

It's natural for the mind to start wandering.

If you notice this,

Just return to the sound of my voice.

Become aware of any external sounds you can hear in this moment.

Start by focusing on the most distant sounds,

Moving the attention from sound to sound without labeling the source and without judgment.

Now move the awareness from the external sounds to the sound of the breath as it flows freely and naturally between the nostrils.

Now visualize the body lying on the earth,

The parts of the body touching the earth,

The entire body being supported by the earth.

Become aware of the natural breath,

The spontaneous breath that moves in and out of the body without effort.

Notice the feeling of the breath as it enters and leaves the body.

It is now time for you to make your sankalpa or intention.

This should be something meaningful to you,

A short positive statement.

Try to discover this resolve naturally or you might choose to say something such as,

I am open to receiving inspiration or I am releasing all apathy.

Repeat the sankalpa three times mindfully,

Feeling this resolve being fulfilled as you make it known to the universe.

We will now begin a systematic journey of awareness throughout the body.

We will move the awareness to different parts of the body as soon as you hear them named.

Do not fall asleep.

Starting with the top of the head,

The forehead,

The right eye,

The left eye,

Both eyes together,

The nose,

The mouth,

The right cheek,

The left cheek,

Both cheeks together,

The right ear,

The left ear,

Both ears together,

The back of the head,

The neck,

The throat.

Bring your awareness to the right side of the body,

The right shoulder,

Upper arm,

Forearm,

And hand,

The whole right arm,

The right armpit,

And the outside of the ribs and the waist,

And the space between the outside of the upper body and the arm,

The right side of the chest,

The right side of the belly,

The right hip,

Thigh,

Lower leg,

And foot,

The whole right leg,

The right side of the pelvis,

Lower back,

Upper back,

The whole right side of the body.

Now bring your awareness to the left side of the body,

The left shoulder,

Upper arm,

Forearm,

And hand,

The whole left arm,

The left armpit,

The outside of the ribs and the waist,

And the space between the outside of the upper body and the arm,

The left side of the chest,

The left side of the belly,

The left hip,

Thigh,

Lower leg,

And foot,

The whole left leg,

The left side of the pelvis,

Lower back,

Upper back,

The whole left side of the body,

And now the whole body,

The whole body at once.

Keep relaxing,

But don't fall asleep.

Become aware of the breath again.

Feel the flow of the natural breath,

The normal,

Spontaneous,

And effortless flow.

Maintaining awareness of the breath,

Continue to breathe through the belly.

With each inhale,

The abdomen is expanding.

With each exhale,

The navel is drawn in towards the spine.

Now begin counting your breaths backwards in your mind,

From ten to one,

Like this.

Ten,

Navel rises.

Ten,

Navel falls.

Nine,

Navel rises.

Nine,

Navel falls.

Begin this now,

Bringing total awareness to your counting.

If you miscount,

Begin again at ten.

Continue relaxing,

But don't fall asleep.

As you continue to breathe naturally,

Begin to notice any sensations in the body.

You might feel warmth,

Coolness,

Lightness,

Heaviness.

Simply observe these sensations without judgment or expectations.

Allow yourself to experience whatever is present,

Accepting these feelings as part of your current experience.

With each inhale,

The body is becoming more and more relaxed.

The body is becoming soft,

Loose,

Gentle,

And calm.

Allow this feeling of relaxation to grow inch by inch throughout the body.

Inhale inspiration.

Exhale all negativity.

Breathe in transformation.

Breathe out all obstacles in your path.

Now begin to create an image in the mind,

An image or picture of the goddess Keraguin,

Your spirit guide,

Anyone or any place where you derive maximum comfort and peace.

Imagine this guide sending you a bright white light of positive energy,

And that energy flowing up through you like a tendril and creating a circle of protection around you.

Imagine the self safely wrapped inside this circle of protection,

Where you are peaceful,

Free from all obstacles,

And open to inspiration.

Enjoy the way you feel in this safe place.

You feel calm,

Safe,

Secure,

And empowered here.

Allow your heart and your spirit to be open and glowing,

So that the divine breath of inspiration may fill and flow through you,

Transforming burdens into joy.

In your mind's eye,

See before you Keraguin,

The shape-shifting goddess of the underworld,

The keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and rebirth.

Beside her is a large cauldron with a fire beneath it.

Brewing in her cauldron is the gift of Alwin,

Which is inspiration.

Standing beside her cauldron with her arms outstretched,

The great goddess calls us to be a source of inspiration,

To others of course,

But also to ourselves.

We do this by opening ourselves up and forming a connection with all that is around us.

By standing in her midst,

You silently release what no longer serves your highest good,

And transform by taking in the divine breath of rebirth and inspiration.

You feel yourself transforming,

Ascending to a new height with no limitations.

Keeper of the cauldron,

Goddess of transformation,

Bring inspiration to me.

O source of great wisdom,

Grant your magic and inspiration to me,

That my eyes and my mind may be opened.

Through your cauldron of plenty,

Fill me with your wisdom.

In perfect love and perfect trust,

Grant me your mystical powers,

Through which all that I seek,

For the highest good and with harm to none,

May be brought to fulfillment.

I will now call out a number of different things.

Visualize them on the level of emotion,

Memory,

And imagination,

As it resonates with you.

Jump from image to image,

And do not linger on any image for long.

Don't force your focus.

The element of air.

A stone floor.

The element of earth.

A pentacle.

The element of fire.

A cauldron.

The element of water.

A bird in flight over a mountain.

A flowing river.

A ripple in that flowing river.

A woodland area.

The smoke of incense rising.

The sound of my voice.

The body at rest.

Spirit.

The body at rest.

Now call to mind the sankalpa,

Or resolve that you set for yourself,

At the of this practice.

Repeat this intention three times with focus,

Clarity,

And determination.

Visualize your resolve being received by the universe,

Taking shape,

Bearing fruit,

Becoming successful.

Bring your awareness back to the breath,

The natural and quiet breath going in and out of the body.

Maintain awareness of the breath,

And feel it growing stronger and steadier.

Take a slow,

Conscious,

Deep breath in,

And let it go completely.

Allow the mind to become external now.

Continue to stay awake as this practice concludes.

Shift the attention to sounds within this room.

The sound of the breath.

Sounds of the earth.

Now move the attention to sounds outside the room.

Sounds you can hear without straining.

Be aware of the sounds around you.

Be aware of the body.

Be aware of the breath.

Invite subtle movements into the hands and feet,

The fingers and toes.

Perhaps you will choose to stretch lightly.

Do what feels natural and comfortable to you.

At your own pace,

Come up to a sitting position.

Take a deep breath in,

And exhale completely.

This concludes your Yoga Nidra practice for now.

Blessed be.