So finding a comfortable position for your body seated or lying down whatever's calling to you today and closing the eyes,
If you like,
We'll start by just taking a moment to land right here,
Right now.
So for these few moments we have together,
There's nothing else to do,
Nowhere else to be.
So exhaling any tension you might be carrying with you into this time,
Maybe even imagining these exhales creating this beautiful protective bubble of light around you.
So that it's just you and this light in your practice,
Feel where your body meets the earth and just see if on the next few exhales you can release just a bit more of your weight into that support,
Seeing what you can soften in this moment.
Bringing our attention to our core center,
Just taking a few deep breaths here.
From this place,
This deep core of calm and peace,
Calling to mind now a beautiful forest setting.
Could be someplace you've been,
Someplace you'd like to go,
Or someplace you've dreamed up just for this moment.
Picture yourself standing on the edge of the forest,
A path stretching far before you.
Watching the trees sway in the breeze.
Noticing what kind they are,
What their leaves look like,
Their height.
Noticing the weather,
The sun shining down through the trees onto your skin.
The breeze gently rustling all these leaves.
Starting out slowly at first on this path before you.
Taking in all that surrounds you,
All the greenery,
Nature,
Animals you might see.
Starting to notice sounds around you,
Scents of the forest.
Noticing tactile sensations.
If there's anything you can touch as you pass it,
Tree bark or a branch.
Noticing the feeling underfoot.
Is it spongy or firm?
Are pine needles or leaves?
As you continue further down the path,
You feel your soul starting to settle.
Calm,
Starting to return.
The waves of your breath mirroring the waves back and forth of these trees surrounding you.
Up ahead,
You start to see a clearing before you.
A place where there's beautiful plants,
Flowers,
Sun shining.
Making your way into this clearing.
Noticing there's a spot here that looks like it was made just for you.
A spot where you can rest so comfortably sitting or lying down.
Making your way there.
Letting your body fully relax into this support,
Whatever it might be.
Sitting here,
The sun against your skin gently.
A breeze softly carrying away stresses.
Your body settling into the earth.
Letting your forehead smooth.
The area around your eyes soften.
Your jaw unclench.
Shoulders sinking down the back.
Arms long and heavy.
Rib cage so softly welcoming in each breath.
Belly softening.
Hips sinking into whatever is holding you up in this beautiful clearing.
Thighs long and heavy.
Shins and calves long and heavy.
Feet softening and relaxing.
Stay here and breathe in the beauty of this place for a moment.
Bringing yourself back to your breath,
Your body,
And the beauty around you.
Taking our last breath here,
Deep into the belly.
Gently releasing.
Picturing yourself starting to gently reawaken your body in this clearing.
Looking around you one last time,
Taking it all in,
All the scents,
The smells,
The sights.
Making your way back towards the path.
Just absorbing any last piece you can from these surroundings.
Slowly bringing yourself back into the room that you're in right here,
Right now.
Your body in space.
Your breath.
Remembering that this place,
This piece is always inside you.
All we need is a pause and a little journey.
Taking any movement you'd like,
Reawakening the body,
Maybe a stretch.
Opening the eyes whenever you're ready.
Thank you so much for meditating with me today.
