18:45

Sleep by a River (extended)

by Nicolas Boillot

Rated
4.6
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
34.8k

This is an extended, slower version of my previous guided sleep meditation to the sound of a nearby river. The guided portion is a bit more than 7 minutes, and designed to help you move away from the day's thoughts, dissolve tension in your body and mind, and prepare yourself for restorative sleep. The river sound continues until the end, nearly 20 minutes. There is no final bell.

SleepMeditationRelaxationBreathingMindfulnessBody ScanNatureAwarenessHealingDeep BreathingThought ObservationNature ImagerySensory AwarenessEnergy HealingVisualizations

Transcript

Lying down in a comfortable position,

Take a deep breath in and let all the air out,

Pushing with your belly and allowing your chest to collapse.

Take another deep breath in and this time you can sigh audibly as you let it out all the way.

You're signaling to your body and your mind that it's time to let go.

If they're not closed already,

You can close your eyes,

It's time for sleeping,

And you can put down your cares.

Nothing needs your attention right now.

Nothing else matters than being right here,

Right now.

Notice if there's a spot of tension or an ache in your body.

You can rest your mind on that place and breathe into it,

Directing healing energy into your cells.

The spot might feel better or it might not right away.

You can remind yourself that everything changes,

Even painful places or difficult moments.

Sometimes our thoughts like to use words like never and always,

But those are false concepts.

Sensations,

Thoughts and feelings come and go.

That's the nature of life.

Now allow your mind to rest in other places in your body.

Notice the texture of whatever is touching your skin.

Can you feel it with your fingers?

Can you feel it with your body?

Notice where you feel it,

And notice also where you don't feel it.

Now that you're beginning to relax,

Turn your attention elsewhere to the flowing river.

Allow your mind to linger on the sound of the water.

Can you create a mental picture of the water flowing?

Can you hear the variations in the sound of the water?

If a thought comes,

You can allow it.

Simply receive it,

Appreciate that it's a thought,

And let it go.

You can even picture the thought and place it in a little boat and place the boat in the water and watch it float down the river,

Bobbing its way into the future.

If this thought is important,

It will find its way back another time.

Listen to the water flowing.

How many sounds does this river make?

Can you hear different parts of the water as it rushes and stirs and drips?

Can you see the flow of ripples and eddies?

Allow yourself to go to this river on a warm summer afternoon.

You can be anywhere you like.

You can sit in this shallow stream or even lie down with your head upon a mossy rock.

If you choose,

You can feel the cool summer water as it washes over your body.

Or perhaps you'd like to lie in the sun in the luxurious grass on the riverbank,

Listening to the water and enjoying the golden warmth of a lazy afternoon.

You don't have to think too much about where to go.

It's an easy choice because you know that at any time in the future you can come back and choose another spot.

So you settle in and as you do,

You start to notice all the details of this place,

Even as you're aware of the river's friendly sound all around you.

This is a happy spot,

With the temperature of the water and the air and the feelings in your body just the way you like them.

This is a perfect place to go to sleep,

And if sleep doesn't come,

You know that you will emerge from this experience relaxed and refreshed.

You are in your spot.

Allow the sounds to soak in.

Send any thoughts away on a little boat.

You don't need them right now.

Right now,

It's time to rest.

Now you can keep listening to the sound of the river as it continues to flow,

And as you do,

You can remember that you are right where you need to be.

Right here,

Right now.

Тоящo 3 3 3 3.

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Meet your Teacher

Nicolas BoillotWilliamsburg, MA, USA

4.6 (563)

Recent Reviews

Taletha

February 12, 2022

So relaxing. It felt good to send thoughts down the river.

Judy

August 11, 2020

Very calming. Helped me get to sleep. Thanks b

Cathie

July 13, 2019

Zzzz it worked great

Cheryl

June 1, 2019

Wonderful prelude to sleep!!

Scott

January 4, 2019

Nicolas- thank you for sharing your meditations! I found this one to be a relaxing visualization that is both creative and customizable. The result is effective, enjoyable, and invites one to return- I’ll visit again- many thanks!

Kimberly

November 13, 2018

Lovely and effective.

Samantha

September 26, 2017

My favorite thing to fall asleep to

renee

September 25, 2017

This was lovely, very relaxing. Thanks

Petal

September 24, 2017

Very lovely thank you

Dottie

September 23, 2017

Um....good morning. Excellent!

Ellie

September 23, 2017

Induced tranqulity. Beautiful sounds, nicely pace voice.

toni

September 22, 2017

Never get to the end.. works a charm

Dana

September 22, 2017

One of my favorites

roz

September 22, 2017

Very relaxing but still awake

Asher

September 21, 2017

Sounds like where I spent my weekend backpacking. Reminds me of the relief of soaking my sore feet. So timely, thank you.

Karen

September 21, 2017

Honestly thought this was too short to work, but happily I was wrong. Loved slipping into sleep beside the lovely brook! Just like camping, but without the mosquitoes..... :-)

selina

September 20, 2017

Wow! Can't speak highly enough of this one. As a notorious insomniac (who works the overnight shift), this simply put me to sleep like a baby...The most fulfilling rest I've gotten in months. This is my new "can't sleep emergency go to" course of action. I know this review is verbose (apologies!) but there is just something so peaceful in the specific amalgamation of key words, calming voice, peaceful imagery and a relaxing sound of water. Thank you so very much for your help. Namaste xx Selina

Sonia

September 20, 2017

I can say it's highly effective for falling asleep. I'd like to listen again though, to hear the whole thing, as it sounded very lovely.

Cate

September 19, 2017

Works well thank you

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© 2026 Nicolas Boillot. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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