Tonight,
Experience deep and total relaxation in mind,
Body and spirit as you travel to an aquamarine lagoon nestled within a lush tropical emerald forest.
There,
The shimmering waters will clear your mind,
Refresh your body,
And renew your spirit,
Bringing you back into balance.
My name is Jason Stevenson,
And it's a pleasure to guide you on this restorative journey.
Welcome.
Before we dive in,
Take a moment to find a comfortable resting position that will support you through the coming night of sleep.
Allow your head to surrender to a soft yet supportive pillow,
And your body draped by sheets or blankets for warmth and comfort.
Take a slow and steady inhale,
And as you exhale,
Invite your eyes to gently close if they haven't already done so.
Take another slow,
Steady breath in,
And exhale with a sigh to release.
In a short while,
I will guide you on a visual journey to that lush inner sanctuary I just mentioned.
But before that happens,
Let's take a moment to tend with presence and care to the physical body.
By relaxing the body slowly and gently,
We lay a foundation for the deepest possible release.
So,
Begin now by drawing your awareness to the crown of your head,
And imagine a shimmering white light with subtle tones of gold beginning to glow above you.
This light sparkles like mist drifting through warm tropical sun,
Delicate and radiant.
Imagine this glowing mist entering the crown of your head now,
Bringing ease and relaxation to your entire upper headspace.
Softness spreads across your forehead,
Dances around your temples,
And soothes the small muscles around your eyes.
With your next inhale,
Envision this light expanding throughout your whole face,
And as you exhale,
Slowly and gently deepen the experience of release.
Another long,
Slow breath into your entire head,
As it fills with a shimmering white light,
And exhaling with a sigh of surrender,
Your jaw relaxing.
As your head relaxes into the pillow beneath it,
Your mind quiets,
Gently releasing the day behind you.
So,
Continue to breathe slowly and gently,
As this shimmering presence works its way through your body,
Seeing each exhale as an invitation to let go.
So,
Imagine now that the light-infused mist travels down into your neck,
Soothing out any tension or tightness in the muscles there.
Exhale with a slow,
Soothing sigh,
And then envision this warm,
Gentle presence moving through your shoulders.
So,
Take a long,
Slow breath into the presence of this light in your shoulders,
And as you exhale,
Invite your shoulders to surrender,
Releasing any weight they've been holding.
Now,
Invite the light to flow with grace and ease through every cell and muscle of your arms,
Your upper arms relax in its presence,
Your elbows are soothed and restored,
And your forearms find freedom and release.
And so do your wrists and hands,
As this gentle mist guides your fingers to release their grip,
Letting go of anything you've been holding too tightly.
Your palms unravel like lotus flowers,
Awakening to the peace of this present moment.
Take a long,
Slow breath down your left arm,
Deepening the release as you exhale,
And then repeat in the same way with your right,
Filling it with a loving,
Restorative in-breath,
And softening completely on the out-breath.
As your arms relax deeply,
The mist travels further into your body,
First into the entire realm of your heart,
Lungs,
And chest.
See your chest filling with this warm,
Glistening mist,
Which gently melts any tension or stress you've been holding there.
Soften with each out-breath,
Giving yourself unconditional permission to release what does not serve you.
Ease and relaxation radiate out to fill your back,
As the muscles there soften beneath this loving light,
And then slowly,
Inch by inch,
The mist moves along your spine,
Casting a wide net of warmth and release throughout your entire abdomen.
Soon,
The light lands gently in your belly,
Dissolving any tension or contraction that's been stored there.
With each inhale,
Your belly gently expands,
And with each exhale,
It softens effortlessly.
Envision now the mist filling every cell,
Muscle,
And organ in your lower abdomen,
Bestowing this area with utmost love and relaxation.
Allow these areas to soften completely,
Tension melting into the bed that supports you unconditionally.
And then slowly,
The mist completes its journey through your body,
Flowing down into your thighs,
Bringing ease and relaxation to your knees,
Relaxing your hamstrings,
Before flowing through your ankles and into your feet,
Guiding them to gently surrender.
Take your time to arrive on your feet,
And when you do,
Give them permission to relax wholeheartedly,
There's nowhere they need to carry you now.
Slowly and gently,
Take a long,
Deep breath down your entire left leg,
Deepening the experience of relaxation as you exhale,
And then repeat with your right leg,
Letting go,
Letting go,
Letting go.
Envision your entire body resting on the bed beneath you,
And imagine it filled to its outer edges with a shimmering mist,
A glowing white presence that sparkles with hints of gold.
Take three long breaths into this ethereal mist,
As you inhale,
Imagine its warmth and love expanding into every cell and fiber of your body,
And as you exhale,
Invite your whole body to surrender even more to the bed and the earth below.
The more your body relaxes,
The more your mind relaxes,
And with each exhale,
You find your consciousness drifting,
As if floating safely and serenely through this light,
White gold mist.
Continue to breathe naturally as your awareness moves through the all-pervading,
Shimmering mist,
And as it does,
You feel a sense of weightlessness in both your body and mind,
As if you were drifting from the physical realm into another place,
Into a place where deep rest and release will become available to you.
The further you float,
The more you become aware of a warm,
Tropical breeze filling your lungs with each breath,
And shimmering golden sunlight gracing your skin from all directions.
You deepen your connection to your breath,
And notice that it carries the scent of fresh,
Rich earth and flowers in full bloom,
And as the mist begins to dissipate,
You find yourself gently landing upon a soft,
Sun-kissed pathway,
Surrounded by lush greenery of a vibrant,
Healthy rainforest.
As your souls meet with the earth,
Cushioned by moss and fallen petals,
Your body anchors into this enchanted inner realm,
A place of peace,
Beauty,
And serene vitality.
Your shoulders and belly melt towards the forest floor,
As your crown stretches towards the canopy of swaying palms overhead.
You take a long,
Restorative inhale now,
And as you exhale,
You begin down the path before you,
Marveling at the shifting patterns of light.
The golden sun casts ribbons of illumination through the broad leaves overhead.
You walk slowly and instinctively,
Aware that a serene oasis lay just up ahead,
And indeed,
With your next breath,
You catch sight of a glistening,
Aquamarine lagoon,
Nestled within the verdant,
Tropical forest.
Now,
Take a few moments to make your way to the water's edge.
As you arrive at the edge of the lagoon,
You marvel at its tranquil beauty.
The surface ripples subtly and serenely,
Reflecting scattered patterns of dappled golden light from above.
The water is crystal clear,
Yet from its shallow bottom,
It emanates a soft,
Luminous hue,
A dreamlike,
Soft blue-green.
Surrounding the lagoon is lush,
Emerald plant life,
Which forms a protective barrier between you and the outside world.
Take a moment to envision your surroundings as a protective shield,
Embracing you in a cocoon of peace,
Love and stillness.
Take a long,
Slow breath in,
And as you exhale,
Settle your roots into this tranquil inner sanctuary.
Now you feel an intuitive call to enter the lagoon,
Only ever going as far as feels comfortable for you.
The lagoon is shallow and prepared to hold you safely.
When you're ready,
Imagine yourself stepping into the shimmering shallows,
The cool,
Clear water swirling gently around your ankles.
You feel the water refresh you instantaneously,
Sending a ripple of calm relief through the soles of your feet,
Slowly up to the crown of your head,
And then gently it cascades back down,
As your feet anchor into the sandy lagoon floor.
You release your next out-breath with a soft sigh,
And slowly,
You wade further into the water,
Feeling its cleansing energy brush against your calves.
With each step,
You feel the soles of your feet land gently on the sandy bottom,
Cradled and supported without condition.
Here in this tropical lagoon,
You are loved and honoured exactly as you are,
There's no one you need to be,
And nothing you need to prove.
So take a few cleansing breaths,
Giving yourself full permission to be here as you are.
And with each exhale,
Release any striving,
Any pressure,
Any need to explain,
Achieve,
Or understand.
You are invited to embrace this present moment exactly as it is,
And to embrace yourself exactly as you are.
As pressure and striving fall away,
Your body softens,
And you become more aware of the dream-like,
Calming aura that fills this inner sanctuary.
Drifting through the green foliage and the warm tropical air is a shimmering golden mist,
An aura of peace,
Love,
And total serenity.
Feel the mist glide against your skin like soft silk,
Softening any residual physical tension,
You may be holding.
And again,
Use your breath to support you,
Each exhale is a gentle nudge to let go.
Continue to move through the water,
Aware of its refreshing,
Restorative presence against your lower legs.
With each step,
Stress and tension are washed away,
Reaffirming an embodied sense of ease and lightness.
And deepen your connection to your breath now,
Imagining that with each inhale,
You draw in the serene aura of the lagoon.
And with each exhale,
You surrender a little bit more in mind,
In body,
And in spirit.
And continue to breathe slowly and steadily,
As you envision yourself finding a place to sit here,
To lean more fully into the lagoon's healing presence.
You might choose to sit on the sandy,
Shallow bottom,
Or on a rock ledge within the water,
Or you might prefer to sit on the earth that surrounds the lagoon,
With your feet and legs dangling in.
Just take a few breaths to find that place that feels more relaxing for you at this moment,
Envision yourself supported in any way that feels good to you.
As you settle into the lagoon,
With an open heart and quiet mind,
You notice that the time seems to slow.
The shimmering mist drifts slowly through the open air,
Harmonizing with the golden light seeping through the emerald canopy.
The water moves slowly,
Too,
Attuned to your effortless breath.
Notice the way that as the gentle current brushes against your skin,
It mirrors the rhythm of your breathing,
Ebbing and flowing,
Ebbing and flowing.
Take a few moments to let the rhythm of your breath and water,
Moving in tandem,
Deepen your embodiment of ease.
With every inhale,
Feel yourself gently expanding into peace and presence.
And with every exhale,
Feel yourself softening,
Releasing and renewing.
Now notice if there's anything within you that resists surrender,
Whether that's a thought,
Feeling or emotion.
And if you discover a bit of resistance,
Soften any judgment you might hold about it.
Instead,
Just gently notice that it's there,
Whether in mind,
Body or spirit,
And send it a breath of kindness,
A breath of patience and compassion.
Imagine any residual resistance,
Stress or tension gently loosening like a knot in warm water.
And we're not hastily trying to get rid of it.
We're patiently,
Lovingly and gently giving it space and permission to soften.
Use the water to deepen this experience of surrender.
And imagine the water brushing over any parts of you that could benefit from its healing properties.
If it's something in your mind that feels stressed,
Anxious or tense,
Imagine yourself cupping some of the lagoon sparkling water in your hands and cleansing your face with it or pouring it over your head.
And as it washes over you,
It quiets your racing,
Ruminating mind,
Restoring a sense of mental peace,
Ease and quietude.
And this is what the water is here for,
To soothe,
Restore and rebalance you.
Open your heart and mind to the possibility that it can indeed transform things for you,
That it can indeed carry away any remaining heaviness or unease.
And as you surrender deeply and completely,
You feel the support of what's beneath you,
Be that a rocking ledge,
A sandy bottom of the lagoon or the land around the water's edge.
Feel the touch points between your body and that surface,
As it reinforces a sense of being grounded,
Safe and held.
You are effortlessly and unconditionally supported by this lush,
Natural landscape.
Let go into its embrace.
Now as you bathe in the serene,
Shimmering lagoon,
Notice that the quality of light in the atmosphere is beginning to shift.
Once pale gold,
It's now a deep,
Radiant amber,
Reflecting orange light off the water and the broad leaf plants.
A night of deep rest is near for both you and this enchanted realm.
So,
As you sit here,
Within or beside the water,
Feel the presence of this amber light as it meets the crown of your head.
Imagine your entire forehead filling with this gentle,
Soothing glow,
As if it were pouring through your skin.
All the small muscles around your eyes relax,
And your thinking mind quiets even further.
Envision this deep orange glow spreading across your temples,
Smoothing out your brow,
And slowly flowing downward into your cheeks,
Jaw and mouth.
Let your tongue gently rest as your breath softens and slows.
The lagoon continues to hold and cleanse you,
As the dark copper light pours down your neck,
Soothing the muscles there,
And then across your shoulders,
Guiding them to melt a little bit more.
Slowly,
The light spills down your arms,
Slow and steady,
Like honey.
All the way down to your fingers,
Your arms relax,
And your hands gracefully unfold,
Again with the grace of a blooming lotus.
With ease and gentle presence,
The light fills your heart space,
Dissolving any residual fear or discomfort,
As it awakens your deep,
Intuitive trust in life's unfolding.
Breathe into this light that lives in your heart now,
Deep into your heart,
Strengthening your connection to its warmth,
Its love,
And its power to heal and nurture.
And gently now,
Witness the light spilling into your belly,
Radiating out to soothe and nurture every cell,
Muscle and organ in your abdomen.
All the way down to your hips and the base of your spine,
Your torso fills with restorative amber light,
Guiding you closer and closer to sleep.
Right now,
Your belly and pelvis relax completely,
And the light moves to complete its journey through your body,
Flowing down through your thighs and knees,
Your calves and ankles,
And into your feet,
Guiding them to rest completely.
Envision your whole body as it rests in the shallow water,
Or just next to it,
Aglow with warm,
Amber light,
Relaxed,
Serene,
At peace.
Gently allow the imagery of light in your body to dissolve,
As your attention returns to the enchanted,
Dusk-lit lagoon around you.
And as your attention shifts,
You receive one final nudge to surrender before night falls.
There,
Floating across the surface of the water,
Is a wondrous lotus blossom.
It drifts in your direction,
With lilac petals that glow in the evening's amber light.
Envision this lotus blossom making its way towards you,
Casting ripples of calm across the lagoon as it moves,
And as it nears,
You sense its quiet message.
The lilac lotus is here to remind you,
You don't have to fear,
Force,
Or fight with what's present.
There's nothing to fix,
And nothing to change at this time.
Instead,
You're reminded to simply receive the beauty,
Warmth,
And peace that surround you,
To open your heart and mind to the deep,
Universal serenity of the lagoon.
So,
For your next few breaths,
Let them be expansive,
Filling with peace,
Ease,
And well-being as you inhale,
Softening in mind,
Body,
And spirit as you exhale,
Filling with peace as you breathe in,
Letting go as you breathe out.
The evening continues to darken,
Now an amethyst sky fills the dome above you,
Stars begin to twinkle,
Inviting you to make that final surrender now,
A surrender into sleep.
So,
Allow yourself to drift off when you're ready,
And until sleep comes,
You might imagine yourself continuing to bathe in the shallow lagoon,
Or you might find a place to rest beside it,
Perhaps on a blanket beneath protective palms,
Or in a hammock that swings gently between two sturdy trees.
Whatever feels most deeply restorative for you at this moment,
Envision yourself resting there.
Wherever you find yourself,
You feel fully restored,
Completely refreshed,
Deeply at peace.
Your mind is calm,
Your spirit is renewed,
And your body is relaxed.
Wherever you are,
You rest in complete balance,
Breathing slowly and steadily,
In harmony with the lagoon's tranquil rhythm.
So,
As your consciousness drifts into sleep,
Stay close to whatever part of this experience feels most calming for you,
It could be the water,
The surface beneath you,
Or perhaps the flow of your breath.
And if distracted thoughts arise,
Come back to the soothing imagery of sensations that fill you,
Let them guide you,
With grace and ease,
Into a night of deep,
Restorative sleep.
May your mind be filled with sweet,
Tranquil dreams as you slumber,
And until next time,
Goodnight my friend,
Goodnight.
