Welcome to this private garden visualization or guided imagery practice.
Today we're going to use our imaginations to put our body in a more relaxed state.
So find yourself in a comfortable seat or maybe lying down and close your eyes.
Allow yourself to get comfortable.
Ground down through your sit bones if you're in a seat,
Sitting tall with a long spine.
If you're lying down allow the entire weight of your body to be supported as you melt into your couch or your bed or the ground.
Take some slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your nose.
Perhaps these are the longest breaths you've taken all day.
Allow the new breath to nourish you and each exhale to release and relax you.
Now use your imagination to picture yourself walking along a path.
Imagine what it feels,
The path underneath your feet.
Feel a cool breeze on your skin.
The sun is shining above you.
It's a warm beautiful day.
This path is a very pleasant path.
It's well maintained and cared for and as you keep walking you feel relaxed and happy.
You keep walking and you feel the energy of the life of plants and the air and the trees around you swirling with joy and contentment.
And soon you see a gate up above you.
You walk towards this gate and you know that this gate leads to a very special place where you feel welcomed,
You feel safe,
You feel at peace here.
Push the gate open once you arrive to it and allow yourself to enter your very own garden.
Your garden is filled with your favorite things,
All of the things that you have cultivated.
Now you've been growing this garden for a long time.
Everything you see brings you joy.
Maybe it's flowers or trees,
Animals,
Butterflies,
Maybe a water fountain or a birdbath.
Everything that you see is a symbol of the hard work that you put into building this beautiful oasis.
See all of the colors,
All of the objects.
Notice how beautiful they are.
Look at the various shapes and the various textures.
Looking all around you at the earth.
Notice the color of the ground.
Looking up at the sky,
Noticing the clouds.
Maybe the shapes of the clouds resemble something in your garden.
Taking the time to enjoy everything you've cultivated without any judgment,
Without any critique.
Taking your time to smell the flowers,
Feeling the texture of the petals and the leaves and the stem.
Reminding yourself that you planted that plant and you watched it grow until it established itself into this beautiful,
Beautiful creation.
Now it's time to soak up the fruits of your labor.
Your garden is calm.
It's tranquil.
Everything coexisting peacefully.
Continue to explore your garden,
Imagining the sensations of the air on your skin,
The textures of the plants and the smells of the flowers,
The sound of the birds.
Exploring your own private safe garden as you continue to feel at peace and comfortable.
Absorb the serenity.
Listen for a while and see if you can identify the different sounds in your garden.
Take a deep breath in and notice the fragrances with your imagination.
Taking your time,
Spending all the time that's necessary for you to rejuvenate and to care for yourself.
When you're ready to leave,
Slowly walk back towards the gate of your garden,
Carrying with you the energy,
Carrying with you this feeling of peace and comfort and serenity.
You've enjoyed your visit to your garden today,
Feeling relaxed and content,
Carrying this feeling with you all throughout your day.
As you approach your gate,
You'll push it open and return to the path that led you here,
Closing the gate behind you as you make your way back on the path,
Walking back to the here and the now.
Now don't forget that your imagination is always available to you as your gateway to return to your secret garden anytime you need or want to visit.
Now you're ready to resume your day.
Observe sounds around you in your own space.
Notice smells.
Take a long breath in and a deep breath out.
Open your eyes when you're ready,
Coming back into your physical environment,
Looking around.
Thank you for practicing with me today.
I'll see you soon.
