You may like to imagine that by choosing to listen to this meditation you're stepping into a slightly different world.
A world where you can rest your body and soothe your soul.
You might imagine that you're visiting somewhere especially cozy and comfortable.
A place where you can safely rest.
Think of this meditation as a home away from home or a home within your home.
Or simply a place where you can be at home within yourself.
You can sit or lie in whatever position you like.
Have a look around.
Familiarise yourself with the space you're in.
Or with the imagined space you'd like to visit in this meditation.
And then,
If you're comfortable doing so and haven't already,
Gently close your eyes.
Of course you can leave them open or close them later if you wish.
Or you can just sit and relax.
Or you can just relax and relax and relax.
Leave them open or close them later if you wish.
At this stage don't try too hard to slow down or relax.
Take some time to settle in.
Perhaps simply by getting in touch with your body.
Notice how it feels.
How comfortable are you?
Notice where your body feels tense.
And where it feels relaxed.
Where it feels cool.
And where it feels warm.
These are simple ways of being mindful and of beginning the process of relaxation.
Do you feel at home within your body?
Are there adjustments you could make to ease yourself further into relaxation?
Are there adjustments you could make to ease yourself further into relaxation?
You might ask your legs how they feel.
Legs,
Do you need to be moved?
Hips,
Knees,
Back.
Are you all okay with this posture?
You will probably feel a little better if you treat your body with this kind of tender concern.
You will probably feel a little better if you treat your body with this kind of tender concern.
And feel free to stretch or yawn or sigh.
There is no one judging how you look or what you do.
And there is no right or wrong way to go about this.
Let this meditation be a place where you are free to be yourself.
You don't have to meditate according to other people's rules or according to someone's idea of how a meditation should look.
You are just trying things out.
Noticing what seems to help you to feel at home.
You don't have to do anything perfectly.
You can even make your thoughts and emotions welcome.
As though you were inviting them in for a cup of tea.
And if you are visited by aches and pains,
By tight muscles or a sense of fatigue.
Perhaps you will find it possible just to relax around these sensations.
By investigating the way you feel with gentle curiosity and awareness,
You may find that tension recedes.
Or you could take a breath.
Whispering relax to yourself as you exhale.
Opening your heart to whatever you feel.
Not trying to push anything away.
Just resting with whatever presents itself.
And perhaps you will find that your whole body can just soften a fraction.
As though every cell was sighing with a sense of relief.
As though you could let your guard down and surrender to the way things are.
Just being.
No need to perform.
No need to pretend.
No need to look good for someone else.
And you can respond to whatever sensations you notice with kindness.
Remembering that there is no right or wrong way to follow these instructions.
No right or wrong experience.
It's just you treating yourself with care and respect.
Relinquishing control.
Resting.
Being.
Letting your body rest.
Perhaps letting your mind slip into a reverie or reflection.
At home within yourself.
And my guidance ends here.
But feel free to continue for as long as you like.
Be well.
