Number 10,
The path.
Begin by finding a comfortable posture and by bringing your awareness to the breath.
Take a few moments to let yourself arrive and allow the breath to draw you gently into internal awareness.
Allow the gaze to soften,
The eyes to close.
Your journey begins high up in the mountains.
As you turn,
You are met by the most beautiful snow-laden peaks,
Majestically rising upwards to meet the clarity of the bright blue sky.
All around you,
The snow stretches out like a glistening blanket of winter promise.
You take five breaths here.
The cool,
Fresh air enters your nose and travels into your lungs whilst the warmth of the sun embraces your cheeks.
You feel grateful for your winter clothes,
Sturdy boots and the provisions in your bag.
You're on a path which seems to be leading you down the mountain.
You take your time on the rough terrain and gradually work your way downwards.
In time,
You find yourself following a tiny flow of meltwater whose patient travels have carved a stream in the mountain rock.
With each twist and turn of the path,
The stream gets a little wider and a little deeper.
You follow,
Joyfully breathing in the sunshine,
The clean cold air and the magnificent views.
You take five deep breaths here.
Up ahead,
You hear the gentle thundering of what must be a waterfall.
Excitedly you stride on,
Turning the corner to see a lake below fed by not one but five waterfalls all tumbling playfully into the deep clear blue of this wonderful pool.
Without thinking,
You undress and jump straight in.
To your surprise,
The water is warm and healing.
You paddle,
Swim,
Jump and submerge,
Playing like a child until you feel refreshed,
Cleansed,
Peaceful and healed.
You climb out to dry in the sun and take five breaths here.
Dressed and ready,
The path calls you once again.
It follows the small river that emerges from the lake,
Taking the water onwards down the mountain.
There's a little boat which you sense has been left on the bank just for you.
You board and paddle it forward down the gentle river and into the forest ahead.
The light plays on the water as you enter the forest,
The sun glistening through the gentle dance of the leaves above.
The trees bow towards the river as you glide through,
Feeling their wisdom,
Their stillness,
Their love.
You take five breaths here.
As you emerge from the forest and the river widens,
You arrive at the sandy shore where the river emerges into the sea.
The boat lands on the beach and you pull it up the shore to rest.
As you climb out and lie down,
You allow yourself to be held by the warm white sand.
Take five breaths here.
It's getting dark now.
The stars are glistening in the sky above.
The moon is glowing.
You rest in gratitude for the simplicity of your day,
The beauty of the journey,
For who you have become and where you have been.
With five final breaths,
You get ready to return to wakefulness and to leave the path.
And in your very own time,
Allow the eyes to open.
That was number 10,
The path.
Thank yourself for finding time for this practice and don't forget to record your reflections in your mindfulness journal.
