Get slow.
Let go.
All that was is already history,
And all that will be is incomplete future.
There's nothing to attend to or consider but this very moment as you prepare to rest.
Are you sleepy?
Agitated?
Wide awake or drowsy?
Take stock.
Recognize where you begin and then just let layers of energy drift off from you.
All your force and exertion healing away.
Settling into your chair,
Couch,
Bed,
Whether it's for rest and relaxation or a night's sleep.
Admit any outcome.
It's fine if you don't sleep.
Just relaxing can be pleasant enough.
You don't need to force the result.
Letting your body sag.
Become absorbed by gravity.
Not resisting the loving tug of the earth.
Slowing down.
Growing still.
Becoming as quiet as the world can be.
And still,
Small noises,
Flutterings,
Ever-present.
And that's great.
You're not resisting.
You're not fighting.
You're just there,
Aware of it all.
The slowness,
The darkness,
The quiet.
Let your eyes close if they haven't already.
As though your eyelids were very,
Very heavy.
Too much work to keep open.
Begin the process of preparing for rest and sleep with forgiveness.
Surely,
Surely,
There were those who aggravated you,
Who were mean-spirited,
Or just accidental and incidentally unkind.
None of us are without flaw.
You could hold a grudge,
But that would probably keep you up.
So,
If you can't let go,
Just put it aside for now.
And you know,
You just know that you've probably hurt someone too.
Said the wrong thing.
Been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You may not be ready to ask forgiveness,
But maybe you can distantly imagine that you might want to someday.
That's enough for now.
Just the possibility of forgiving and being forgiven.
And forgiving yourself.
May all this be acceptable.
Feeling your eyes get heavy.
The light grow dim.
Letting any dark or difficult thoughts drift away.
They don't need to visit you now,
Whether while you're awake or in dreams.
Just pleasant thoughts and dreams.
The whole world is filled with glory and pleasantness.
Sweet dreams.
And the world starts together and ends together.
It seems diverse and varied and multiple.
And yet,
It all began in the same place.
All of creation is bound together in a single garment of destiny.
It's all one.
All unique and uniquely singular.
Isn't that a blessing?
And don't you love the world just because you get to exist in it?
Might that be enough?
Lying down.
Rising up.
Walking.
Resting.
Learning.
Isn't that mystery enough?
To fill you with love,
Faithfulness,
And compassion.
You're so well-protected.
Covered with sheltering wings.
Protected behind a mighty shield.
Nothing will harm you.
You are secure.
Lodged well in a refuge.
With no fear of the unknown.
Lodged well in a refuge.
With nothing wicked.
Supported so that you don't stumble nor fall.
Sated and calm.
Full of living.
You may want to use the ancient breath word selah.
Coming in and out of awareness.
Drifting on your couch or bed.
Senses becoming entangled.
Thoughts becoming unspooled without rigor.
You can lie down in peace.
Knowing that you will wake up with peace.
Wholeness.
Comfort.
Shaded and protected.
You can go out of this conscious domain safely.
Knowing that you can return safely.
Eternally.
And there are great and good forces that preceded you looking over your ancestors.
Great and good forces that watch you while you're awake and while you sleep.
And great and good forces that spread out over your descendants.
You are blessed and you are guarded.
The universe is looking upon you and giving you grace.
The universe turns toward you expectantly and offers you peace,
Wholeness,
And harmony.
A peace beyond understanding.
When you are gathered and guarded by great,
Wonderful,
Loving,
Mysterious forces while you sleep in the day,
You must have so many questions.
And at night,
You can deposit all your wonders and doubts at your right side with a great and good force responsible for questions.
In the day,
You sweat and toil and exert.
And at night,
You can leave all of that exertion to your left side with a great force responsible for vigor and heroism.
All day long,
You seek the right path,
Understanding and wisdom,
Correct action.
And while you sleep,
There's a great and good force shining a light before you to guide you.
Your bones ache.
Your throat is parched.
You may cough or be weary.
And at night,
From right behind you is a healer.
Great and awesome mystery bringing the healing of sleep.
Let it embrace you.
And all around and all above you,
Mystery,
Depth,
Wisdom,
And imagination just drawing you.
Take any last moments to shuffle and shift,
To scratch or stretch,
Becoming even more still.
Breathing in and then out,
Salah.
And the world drifts on and on,
Inward,
Outward,
Upward,
Eternally.
You don't have to do anything to make that happen.
You can rest yourself in the power of a great and loving universe held in its caring palm with nothing to fear.
