Welcome,
Dear listener.
As you prepare to embark on a magical journey through tonight's story,
Let's first take a moment to relax and center ourselves.
Allow this time to be a bridge between the busyness of your day and the enchanting world of dreams and stories.
Find a comfortable position in your bed or chair,
Feeling the softness beneath you,
Supporting and holding you.
Simply settle into this present moment.
Now,
Close your eyes if you haven't already.
Picture a gentle glowing light at the center of your forehead,
Warm and soothing.
Imagine this light slowly spreading,
Moving downward,
Relaxing each part of your body as it goes.
Feel this warm light move over your eyes,
Easing the tension.
It flows down to your jaw,
Neck,
And shoulders,
Allowing them to become loose and relaxed.
Any weight or stress you might have been carrying simply melts away.
Away.
This serene light continues to travel,
Reaching your arms,
Your chest,
And your back.
With every heartbeat,
You can feel yourself sinking deeper into relaxation.
Your breathing becomes more rhythmic,
Calm,
And deep.
Allow the glow to illuminate your hips,
Thighs,
Knees,
And down to your feet.
Allow the glow to fill your entire body.
From the top of your head to the tips of your toes,
You're bathed in a gentle cascade of relaxation.
With your entire body now relaxed,
Let's focus on your breathing.
Inhale deeply,
Imagining the cool,
Refreshing air of night filling your lungs.
Hold for a moment,
And then exhale,
Releasing any remaining tension or thoughts from the day.
Inhale peace and tranquility.
Exhale and let go.
Repeat this breathing pattern a few more times,
Each time sinking deeper into a state of relaxation and readiness for the story ahead.
Now,
Imagine yourself in a serene place,
A quiet,
Moonlit meadow,
A tranquil beach at dusk,
Or a cozy,
Dimly lit room.
With a soft chair,
Perfect for story listening.
This is your sanctuary,
A space just for you.
As you sit in this special place,
A gentle wave of anticipation washes over you.
The promise of a captivating story awaits,
Ready to whisk you away to distant lands,
Magical realms,
Or heartfelt memories.
But for now,
Just be in this moment,
Cherishing the calm,
Embracing the silence,
And preparing your heart and mind to be fully present for the story that's about to unfold.
When you're ready,
Let your breath guide you,
Bridging the gap between the present and the future.
This peaceful meditation and the enchanting tale ahead.
Now,
Dear listener,
With your body and mind at ease,
Let's begin our story.
Welcome,
Dear dreamer,
To a bedtime reading of The Guesthouse by Rumi.
We'll first start with a reading of the poem,
Followed by a guided relaxation.
And a second reading of the poem with a discussion of its spiritual significance.
Thank you for joining me on this bedtime journey.
The Guesthouse by Rumi.
This being human is a guesthouse.
Every morning,
A new arrival.
A joy,
A depression,
A meanness.
Some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all,
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.
Still,
Treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thoughts,
The shame,
The malice.
Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
Let's begin our journey towards tranquility.
A peaceful sleep by releasing the day inch by inch,
Moment by moment.
Close your eyes if you feel comfortable doing so.
Take a slow,
Deep breath.
Filling your lungs fully,
Holding it for a moment,
And then gently releasing it.
Feel the tension in your body starting to dissipate like waves receding back into a calm,
Serene sea.
Again,
Take another deep breath.
Hold and exhale slowly.
With each exhale,
Let go of any worries,
Any stresses that you might be holding on to.
Visualize them drifting away like clouds in the sky,
Leaving only the vast openness behind.
Now imagine a soft,
Warm,
Comforting blanket of relaxation gradually enveloping you,
Starting from your feet,
Rising up through your legs,
Covering your torso,
And extending to your arms,
Hands,
Neck,
And finally,
Your head.
Every part of you is gently touched by this calming energy.
Like a mother's soothing lullaby.
Now that your body is relaxed,
Your mind finds itself in a quiet garden,
The garden of the night.
This is your sanctuary,
A haven of tranquility where the day's chatter fades away.
You are here,
Safe,
Serene,
Cradled in the arms of the night.
In a few moments,
I will share with you a calming poem.
Let the rhythm of these words create gentle waves in the stillness of the pond of your mind.
Feel them ripple outward,
Touching every corner of your being with a tender whisper of peace.
This poem is a journey through the night where the moon and the stars are your guiding lights.
Here,
You'll find your heart's tranquility,
Your mind's stillness,
And your soul's serenity.
Let's embark on this journey together and let the soothing verses lull you into a gentle,
Peaceful sleep.
This poem is a journey through the night where the moon and the stars are your guiding lights.
Here,
You'll find your heart's tranquility,
Your mind's stillness,
And your soul's serenity.
Your mind's stillness,
And your soul's serenity.
Here,
You'll find your heart's tranquility,
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all,
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.
Still,
Treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thoughts,
The shame,
The malice,
Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
As Rumi's words echo in the chambers of your heart,
Invite yourself to deeply embrace life's varied arrivals.
Joys,
Sorrows,
Challenges,
And victories.
Each one,
As Rumi teaches us,
Is sent from beyond as a guide.
In your heart,
Extend gratitude to these arrivals,
Seeing them not as intruders,
But as honored guests in the guest house of your being.
As you lay here under the soft blanket of night,
Visualize these guests,
Your emotions and experiences,
Being welcomed by your soul with warmth and grace.
Allow each guest to teach you what you need to learn,
Then gently guide them to the exit,
Leaving your inner house calm,
Prepared,
And open for the next guest.
Feel your body sinking deeper into relaxation with this acceptance.
Each breath,
A soft breeze sweeping through your open doors.
Each exhale,
A gentle farewell to the day's guests.
Now,
Under the nurturing gaze of the moon and the twinkling stars,
You are invited to drift.
Drift into the world of dreams,
Where you are the loving caretaker of your soul's guest house.
Drift into sleep,
Peaceful and deep,
With a heart that is open,
Accepting and whole.
Good night,
Dear traveler of life.
Sleep with grace.
As we drift off,
I'll leave you with an original poem,
As an ode to Rumi's wisdom.
In this sacred moment,
Under twilight's tender gaze,
Become the open field that Rumi so vividly portrays.
Breath,
That gentle breeze that dances through the space.
Inhale deeply now,
And feel that tender grace.
Draw the world inside with breath,
Slow and deep.
As a shepherd of your senses,
Coax your thoughts to sleep.
Holding for a beat,
A pause where all is still.
Then release and let it flow,
Like a river down the hill.
Let it cleanse your heart and soul.
Let it make you whole,
As it carries off the worries that have taken toll.
Exhale slowly,
Dear one,
And as you do,
Let go.
Let go of the tempests and the storms that life can sometimes show.
With each breath that comes and goes,
Like a cherished guest.
Prepare the quiet room within,
Where your soul may rest.
A space for every joy and pain,
A welcome for them all.
For in this guest house of the heart,
Love attends to all.
Now,
As your body softly yields to night's inviting call,
Listen,
For Rumi's wisdom is the sweetest guest of all.
As the final notes of this love song to your soul gently fade,
Allow yourself to sink even deeper into the embrace of this serene and sacred night.
Your body is a landscape of tranquility,
And your mind a clear and starlit sky.
Each breath you take is a soft,
Whispered lullaby from the universe,
Affirming that you are safe,
Loved,
And beautiful.
Imagine now,
That with each exhale,
You are sinking further into the tender arms of sleep.
As if you are being cradled by the night itself,
Like a feather,
Light and free.
Drifting slowly,
Gently,
Effortlessly,
Downward into the soft,
Welcoming depths of slumber.
With every breath,
Feel yourself becoming a part of the night's tapestry,
Woven with dreams,
And drenched in peace.
Here,
In this space,
You are adored beyond measure.
A cherished part of the universe,
Drifting into the deepest,
Most nourishing sleep.
As I leave you now in this blissful state,
Remember that this peace,
This love,
Is always here for you,
As a constant,
As stars above,
And as close as your own heart.
Good night,
Dear soul.
May your dreams be sweet,
And your rest complete.
Sleep with grace.
