Take a moment or two to settle.
Just sink into the surface supporting you.
Give yourself permission to take this time for yourself.
Feel your eyelids become heavier and let those eyelids gently close.
Slowly scan your body for signs of tension.
Focus on any areas that may be tense.
Breathe into them.
Full breath in,
Long slow breath out.
See them dissolve into nothing.
Another full breath in,
Long slow breath out.
Relax.
Let the muscles become loose.
Relax.
Let the body become heavier.
Relax and start to imagine.
Imagine you are walking on a path in a beautiful forest.
The filtered sunlight comes down through the leaves creating beautiful shadows on the path.
Listen to the sounds of the forest.
The breeze in the trees and leaves.
Insects.
Birds.
Be aware of the colors.
Notice the tall trees.
The light bushes.
And the tiny fragile flowers amongst the fallen leaves.
Breathe in the forest.
The path weaves easily between the trees.
You feel at home in this forest.
It is your forest.
A light mist trails in and out of the trees.
And each step you take along that path relaxes you more and more.
Listen to the sound of your footsteps on the path.
Each step relaxing you more and more.
The path stops at the edge of a circular clearing.
In the center of the clearing is a large tree stump.
Step into the clearing.
Feel its peace.
A breeze drifts past ruffling your hair almost as if it is welcoming you.
Breathe in the air.
Listen to the sounds of the clearing.
Watch the light mist now as it dances at the edges of the clearing in and out of the trees.
Now allow your attention to focus on the tree stump.
Notice that there is something on it.
As you move towards it you can see it is a small box.
If you pick it up and study it,
You'll see that there are no joins and no apparent way to open it.
So for the moment leave it on the stump and return your attention to the trees and the mist at the edge of the clearing.
Become aware now that there are people around the edge of the clearing,
Slightly blue and misty.
Focus on them.
They are familiar.
Perhaps they are loved ones.
Family.
Friends.
Acquaintances.
From the past or present.
Watch them,
Not quite in focus,
As they go about their lives.
You know them.
Some may surprise you.
As your awareness sharpens,
Notice that there are long,
Strong colored threads tying you to each of them.
The thread colors and thickness may vary from person to person.
Watch how each thread tightens and loosens as the person moves,
Pulling and releasing you,
Rather like the strings on a marionette puppet.
Notice how your emotions and your body respond or react to the actions.
Are you pulled or are you doing the pulling?
Ask yourself.
Who is controlling whom?
Now,
If you look more closely,
You'll notice another thread between you and each person.
A very fine thread of silver and gold.
Choose one.
Study it.
Closer and closer.
It is made up of separate dancing points of light,
Of silver and gold,
Of spaces between.
Compare it with a colored thread which is dense.
No space.
No dancing.
Put your hand into the thread of light.
Feel the energy.
Recognize it.
There is joy and peace.
It is unconditional love.
No matter the distance between you,
This force remains powerfully strong and connected.
Hold on to this feeling as you turn back to the tree stump.
The crystal box is gently glowing.
It is open.
Inside is a pair of small crystal scissors.
Take them.
Choose one of the people to whom you are attached.
Perhaps a loved one,
Family or friend.
Present or past.
Someone to whom you feel bound.
Someone who is pulling your thread.
You may be surprised by your choice.
Try to cut the dancing thread of silver and gold lights.
You can't.
No matter how hard you try,
The thread of love won't break.
Gently draw the person a little closer.
Out of the mess.
Ask him or her to place their hands into the fine thread of silver and gold.
And allow the lights of unconditional love to flow and dance between you.
Explain that even though you need to cut the thread that binds,
The thread of unconditional love will always be there.
Gently cut the colored thread.
Freeing you guys.
The thread of love remains.
Feel the connection.
The love.
The freedom.
Let that person go.
And watch as they return into the edge of the clearing.
To their lives.
A part of you.
But apart.
Separate.
But connected.
See the thread of love still dance and flow between you.
Notice the clarity of their form.
The glow of light around them as they drift into the mist.
Know you are one joined in love.
But free of the ties that bound you.
Take your time now.
To choose others from the circle of mess.
Especially those whom you may have bound to you.
Repeat the process for each one.
Remember.
No matter how hard you try.
The thread of love won't break.
Gently draw the person a little closer out of the mist.
Ask him or her to place their hands into the fine thread of silver and gold.
And allow the lights of unconditional love to flow and dance between you.
Explain.
That even though you need to cut the thread that binds.
This thread of unconditional love will always be there.
Gently cut the colored thread.
Freeing you both.
Take your time.
See now how bright it is at the edge of the clearing.
Follow the threads of love.
Like spokes in a bike wheel.
Radiating out from you to complete a circle of love.
Feel your heart swell and sing with joy and peace.
Feel the freedom and the connection.
Watch the love rise and flow out into the forest as your loved ones dissolve back into their time.
And leave you alone in the clearing.
Alone.
But not alone.
The threads of love are there.
Always.
Always.
There.
Replace the scissors back in their box before you leave the clearing.
Drifting back.
Free and light as a breeze along the forest path.
Drifting back.
Back.
Back to this time and this place.
Remember you can always return to cuff the threads that bind you.
And when you're ready,
Open your eyes.
