Let's begin by finding a comfortable position,
Either sitting or lying down.
Close your eyes gently and take a deep breath in through your nose,
Followed by a slow releasing exhale through the mouth.
As you inhale,
Take in the positive healing energy that nature has to offer,
And as you exhale,
Expel any negative energy,
Tension,
Anxiety,
Or whatever might not bring you positivity.
Do this a few more times,
In through the nose and out through the mouth.
In and out.
Once more,
In and out.
Now allow your breath to find its natural,
Relaxed rhythm.
Breathe comfortably without forcing it,
And as you do,
Feel your weight settle in against its support,
And feel the strength of the earth bolstering you,
Anchoring you to the present moment.
Now,
Imagine that you have been invited to stand in front of a magical looking Mediterranean style home,
With its pristine white stucco exterior walls,
A terracotta style rust colored roof,
And high arched openings that reveal a spacious,
Tiled wraparound porch.
This entire property is surrounded by a low white wall,
Atop which is anchored a sturdy,
Dark green fence rail,
With posts narrowly spaced to allow peaks at the manicured landscaping and specimen plantings beyond the fence.
In front of the wall is a thick blanket of blooming bluebell flowers,
With each one tended by beautifully colored butterflies and diligently fluttering hummingbirds.
Between two high entry columns,
Topped by mystical quartz crystal torches,
You notice a rust colored,
Neatly maintained tile pathway,
Leading up to three front steps,
Then onto the porch.
At the end of the path,
You also notice a similar path that directs you around to the back of the home,
And this is the path that beckons you.
You make your way around the house,
And emerge into a three-tiered,
Beautiful secluded backyard.
The sky today is purest blue,
Without a cloud to be seen,
And the sun casts a warm,
Golden light,
Inviting you to explore this tranquil sanctuary.
As you take your first step off the path onto the lush green grass,
Notice the gentle compression of the resilient blades against your feet,
As the morning dew evaporates in the soft,
Blowing breeze.
Ahead of you,
The garden unfolds into three harmonious levels,
With a natural stone path and stairway connecting them.
You make your way onto the path,
Walking slowly and intentionally,
Feeling the earth's strength beneath your feet,
Connecting you with nature's calming energy.
As you descend to the second level,
You see in front of you a charming white gazebo,
With a wooden shingle roof bathed in sunlight.
Its presence is comforting and inviting,
Like a gentle embrace from the universe.
You walk toward the gazebo,
With each step bringing you deeper into relaxation and communion with nature.
As you reach it,
You take one step up to its platform and find a comfortable spot to sit.
The wooden bench beneath you feels solid and supportive,
And smells of fresh cedar wood.
The air around you is infused with the scent of blooming flowers.
Hyacinths,
Jasmine,
Roses,
And so many others.
And you hear the distant songs of birds,
Each with its own distinct magical voice.
As you sit in this gazebo on the middle level of this garden,
You see the lower level below you and the upper level where you began.
To your left,
You see a stone pathway leading to a marble bench embraced by a tall green bush,
Next to it a decorative metal sculpture of the solar system.
To your right,
You see a matching stone pathway leading to a beautiful metal obelisk,
Aged and weathered by decades of exposure to nature's elements.
In this serene space,
The pressures and worries of your daily life are suspended.
Let your attention move to your natural breath.
With each inhalation,
Draw in the peaceful energy of this sanctuary.
And with each exhale,
Release any tension or worries,
Allowing them to dissolve into the earth.
They are not welcome here.
Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin as it peeks through the open sides of the gazebo,
Nurturing and soothing.
Imagine this light and warmth gently enveloping you,
Infusing every cell with tranquility and positive healing energy.
And with every breath,
Feel yourself sinking deeper and deeper into relaxation,
As if the gazebo itself is cradling you in its serene embrace.
Now bring your awareness to the sounds around you,
The gentle rustling of leaves and branches in the trees as they dance against the breeze.
Listen to the distant chirping of birds and how each message is so different.
One sounds as if they are speaking,
Hi Jimmy,
Over and over again.
Another honors you with a long,
Melodious string of the purest musical notes.
And another sounds to be calling their mate.
These sounds and the subtle whisper of the wind are all part of the garden.
The garden's symphony,
Harmonizing naturally with the rhythm of your breath.
Continue to breathe comfortably and naturally,
Giving thanks for this wondrous opportunity to sit in the presence of nature and the greater energy that created all of these many gifts.
As you sit here in stillness,
Allow your mind to drift softly,
Like clouds across a clear sky.
If a thought emerges,
Acknowledge it and merely allow it to pass through to the next.
There is nothing else you need to do here,
Nowhere you need to be except right where you are.
Simply be present with this moment,
With the gentle grace of nature surrounding you.
In this stillness and solitude can be nothing and also everything,
Peacefully coexisting in your mind and your soul.
Take a few moments to enjoy sitting in the stillness,
And when you hear my voice again,
It will be to close the meditation.
When you feel ready,
Slowly begin to deepen your breath,
Inviting your awareness back to your body.
Perhaps even make a vocal sigh with one of your out-breaths.
Wiggle your fingers and toes,
Feeling the energy within you gently awakening.
When you're ready,
Open your eyes,
Carrying this sense of peace and relaxation with you.
Remember this serene garden and this magical gazebo are always within you,
A sanctuary you can return to whenever you seek rest and rejuvenation.
As you continue your day or drift into sleep,
May this tranquility stay with you,
Nurturing and healing your spirit.
And we give thanks for this opportunity to sit in the stillness of nature.
