And when you're ready,
Settling into your posture and either lightly closing down your eyes or finding a soft,
Steady gaze at a point in front.
In your own time,
Taking a few long,
Full,
Deep breaths right the way down into your belly,
And with each exhalation that follows,
Allowing yourself to start to soften,
Softening through your face,
Neck,
Shoulders,
And your back,
Letting yourself sink a little deeper into the support of the surfaces beneath you,
Allowing yourself to really arrive here in the present moment,
Drawing all of your awareness inwards,
And giving yourself permission to be with whatever it is that you're experiencing without needing to change anything at all.
From this place of stillness and silence,
Start to call to mind an image of yourself as a very young child of about four or five years old.
You may see this inner child version of yourself or simply feel their presence.
Just allowing yourself to connect with your inner child in whatever way feels natural to you.
Getting a sense of this younger version of you,
Either standing in front of you or their presence is somewhere within you.
And then becoming aware of how your inner child self is feeling right now in this moment.
You might be aware of their body language or expression,
The emotions they might be carrying.
There might be some sadness,
Loneliness,
Or even a sense of fear or longing.
Simply noticing and acknowledging without judgment or needing to change anything at all.
Perhaps imagining that you as your adult self are here with your inner child,
Opening your heart and extending warmth and compassion to this younger part of you.
You might like to gently say to your inner child in your mind,
I see you.
I hear you.
You're safe with me now.
I will protect you and care for you.
Or any other words of love and support you wish to offer this tender part of yourself.
Feeling the comfort and reassurance you're offering your inner child.
Letting your inner child feel the safety of being cared for by you,
Their loving adult self.
Knowing that you are their guardian,
Their protector and their guide.
Allowing your inner child to feel safe and loved.
Knowing that you're here to meet their emotional needs.
As you continue to hold your inner child in your heart,
You might like to imagine yourself asking the child what they need from you in this moment.
And then seeing what comes up spontaneously.
Being fully present to whatever your inner child needs.
You might like to ask your inner child what they have to say.
What do they want to tell you?
Just trusting whatever answers come,
Whatever pops into your mind when you ask these questions.
And then asking the child how you can help.
What you can give to nourish the child within.
Letting yourself respond to them just as if your inner child was standing before you or sitting in your lap.
Allowing yourself to give your inner child exactly what they need.
Really embracing this tender child completely.
And as you do this,
Remember that your inner child is a part of you.
They're not separate from you.
They're an essential part of who you are,
Deserving of love and care.
And as we begin to bring the meditation to a close,
Take a moment to thank your inner child for showing up and sharing their vulnerability with you.
Knowing that your inner child is always with you and you can return to this place of healing and connection whenever you need.
And when you feel ready,
Slowly beginning to draw your breath in a little bit deeper once again.
Becoming more aware of the environment around you.
Welcoming movement back into your fingers,
Your toes.
Giving yourself a slow awakening.
And when you feel ready,
Coming back to a more alert and awake state once again.
