Welcome,
Dear traveler.
As you prepare to embark on tonight's journey,
A voyage into tranquil realms and boundless possibilities,
Let's take a moment to settle in and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Allow this time to be your bridge between the waking world and the serene landscapes of your imagination.
Find a comfortable position in your bed or chair.
Let the surface beneath you fully support your body.
Feel the softness cradling you,
Inviting you to let go and simply be here in this moment.
Now close your eyes,
If you haven't already,
And turn your attention inward.
Imagine a soft,
Radiant light glowing gently at your heart's center.
This light feels warm,
Soothing and peaceful.
As it begins to expand,
Allow it to flow through you,
Carrying relaxation to every corner of your being.
Feel the light rising to your shoulders and flowing down your arms,
Gently releasing any tension you've been holding.
It moves up your neck,
Your jaw and your face,
Softening and easing every muscle.
Your brow becomes smooth,
Your eyelids heavy and your expression serene.
Now,
Let the light cascade downward through your chest and back,
Flowing effortlessly with each breath you take.
It reaches your stomach,
Your hips and your thighs,
Inviting every part of you to relax deeper with each passing moment.
The light travels further,
Down to your knees,
Your calves and finally your feet.
From the top of your head to the tips of your toes,
You are now bathed in this warm,
Calming glow.
Your body feels lighter as if you're floating,
Yet deeply grounded in this peaceful space.
With your body at ease,
Let's turn our focus to your breath.
Inhale deeply,
Drawing in the crisp,
Refreshing air of a starlit night.
Hold it gently and then exhale slowly,
Releasing the remnants of the day,
Any tension,
Any lingering thoughts,
Letting it all drift away.
Inhale calm and clarity,
Exhale and let go.
As you continue this steady rhythm of breathing,
Imagine yourself standing at the threshold of a journey,
Before you stretches a path illuminated by soft moonlight or glistening stars.
This path feels safe and inviting,
Leading you toward a realm of wonder and discovery.
Picture your surroundings now,
A tranquil forest,
Its trees swaying gently in a midnight breeze,
An expansive shoreline where waves whisper secrets to the sound,
Or a glowing celestial bridge suspended amidst the stars.
This is your starting point,
Your sacred gateway to tonight's journey.
Feel the anticipation building,
Like the quiet hum of an adventure waiting to unfold.
You are the traveler,
The explorer,
The dreamer ready to step into the unknown with curiosity and trust.
For now,
Simply savor this moment,
This peaceful pause before the journey begins.
Let yourself sink fully into the comfort of your sanctuary,
Knowing that whatever lies ahead will gently guide you toward rest,
Insight,
And serenity.
When you're ready,
Let your breath lead you,
Bridging the gap between this calm stillness and the unfolding journey.
Now dear traveler,
With your body at rest and your mind open,
Let us begin our journey.
Welcome,
Dear listener,
To a journey of introspection and profound understanding.
As you prepare to delve into the timeless wisdom of Rumi's only breath,
Let's first take a space of tranquility within ourselves,
Setting the stage for a deeper connection to the words and ultimately a peaceful slumber.
Begin by finding a comfortable position,
Allowing your body to relax and settle.
Close your eyes and turn your attention inward.
Focusing on the gentle rhythm of your breath,
Inhale deeply,
Filling your lungs with calmness and clarity.
As you exhale,
Release any tension or distractions,
Letting them flow out with the breath.
With each cycle,
Feel a wave of serenity washing over you,
Grounding you in the present moment.
Imagine your breath as a bridge,
Connecting the world of form and the realm of the formless,
Much like Rumi's poetic tapestry,
Allowing this bridge to guide you,
Leading you to a place of oneness and understanding.
Now,
As your heart and mind open,
Let's embark on this exploration of only breath,
Letting its profound insights resonate within,
And lulling you into a restful,
Rejuvenating sleep.
Only Breath.
This piece by Rumi is an exquisite tapestry woven with words that transcend the realm of form and transports us into the realm of the formless.
In the poem,
Rumi writes,
Not Christian or Jew or Muslim Not Hindu,
Buddhist,
Sufi,
Or Zen Not any religion or cultural system I am not from the East or the West Not out of the ocean or up from the ground Not natural or ethereal Not composed of elements at all I do not exist Am not an entity in this world or in the next Did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story My place is placeless A trace of traceless Neither body or soul I belong to the beloved Have seen the two worlds as one And the one call,
To and no First,
Last,
Outer,
Inner Only that breath,
Breathing,
Human,
Being I'll do another reading of this poem for us to savor and appreciate its depth and beauty.
Not Christian or Jew or Muslim Not Hindu,
Buddhist,
Sufi,
Or Zen Not any religion or cultural system I am not from the East or the West Not out of the ocean or up from the ground Not natural or ethereal Not composed of elements at all I do not exist Am not an entity in this world or the next Did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story My place is placeless A trace of the traceless Neither body or soul I belong to the beloved Have seen the two worlds as one And that one call,
To and no First,
Last,
Outer,
Inner Only that breath,
Breathing,
Human,
Being As we explore only breath,
We will consider the following points Oneness Rumi detaches from all labels and identities that are commonly associated with form He is not defining himself by any religion,
Location,
Or material existence Instead,
He perceives himself as a breath Something ephemeral,
Yet vital It's a reminder that in our deepest nature We are not confined to any labels or identities We are all essentially the same Beyond form and formless Rumi echoes the sentiment of being beyond both physical and the ethereal world He does not belong to this world or the next Signifying that he has transcended the cycle of life and death The cycle of form and formlessness This inspires us to understand our existence beyond our physical bodies and personal egos Unity of dualities He speaks of seeing two worlds as one Perhaps alluding to the unity of all dualities This includes life and death,
Good and bad,
Pleasure and pain All dualities collapse into one when seen from a state of higher consciousness In the light of these points,
We can practice being in the present moment Transcending our personal identities and realizing our oneness with the universe Our task,
Our interactions,
Our moments of solitude can all be avenues to practice this mindfulness As we meditate on this poem,
Let us remember We are not bound by any labels or identities We are as free as the breath Interconnected with everything in the universe As we conclude our journey through Rumi's profound wisdom Allow the essence of only breath to linger Enveloping you in its timeless truths The universe's vast tapestry is interwoven with threads of understanding Unity and oneness And tonight,
You've touched upon its fabric Now let the gentle rhythm of your breath guide you further into relaxation With each inhale,
Draw in peace and serenity With each exhale,
Release any lingering thoughts Letting them drift away like leaves on a gentle stream Imagine a soft,
Velvety blanket of night wrapping around you Its embrace warm and comforting The world outside grows still And all that remains is the gentle pulse of your heart The soft cadence of your breath And the boundless realm of dreams awaiting your arrival You are on the cusp of a deep,
Rejuvenating sleep Where the insights from our exploration can meld,
Grow,
And manifest in your subconscious Let go,
Trust in the journey,
And drift into the embrace of the night Sweet dreams,
Dear traveler May your sleep be peaceful And your dreams be filled with boundless possibilities 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
