Creating an Inner Sanctuary Remember,
The entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you.
Rumi,
Sufi poet and mystic.
Now is a time just for you,
A time to create an inner sanctuary.
Allow yourself to be in a comfortable position,
Either lying down or sitting up.
Relax your whole body.
Take a deep breath in and breathe out.
Now take several deep and conscious breaths,
Inhaling and exhaling.
Take a breath in,
Hold it and let go.
Take another deep breath all the way in,
Hold and let go.
Focus on your breath,
Allowing yourself to continue to let go.
It's your time,
Time to create a healing space,
A sanctuary of peace and safety.
Scan your body for any tension and let go,
Allowing yourself to notice your body and the relaxation you're feeling.
If it feels comfortable and natural,
Allow your hands to gently rest on heart center,
Feeling the warmth.
And now if you wish,
You may invite your beloved ones to join you in creating your inner sanctuary.
Think of a being who loves you very much.
It could be someone from the past or present,
Someone still in your life or who has passed.
It could be a spiritual teacher or a guide or a special pet.
Imagine your beloved one beside you,
Sending you love,
Safety,
Well-being and happiness.
Feel the inner warmth this presence brings.
What feelings do you notice in your body?
Perhaps an expansiveness or a warmth?
And if it feels right,
You can invite this guiding presence to be part of creating your sanctuary.
Perhaps your guide has a message for you,
A word or phrase that can help you select your ideal inner sanctuary.
You now begin to walk down a path,
Finding yourself in a place in the beauty of your mind.
Perhaps it's a place you've seen before or one that you're now creating.
The special place is one of your choice.
Any place that appeals to you is fine,
One that you would like to return to.
Wherever it is,
It should feel comfortable and pleasant.
In this sanctuary,
You are at peace.
Allow the images to come.
Feel the environment around you.
Use all of your senses,
The beauty you see.
Notice the color of the sky at your favorite time of day.
Notice the season in which you're most comfortable.
Is it the warmth of summer,
The cooler air of autumn?
Feel the temperature on your skin.
Allow your senses to become fully aware,
Noticing all around you,
Your surroundings and allowing yourself to see,
If not with your eyes,
Then with your heart.
Each time you visit your inner sanctuary,
It will become more and more beautiful.
This is your special place.
Notice the feelings and impressions that you're beginning to experience.
Allow yourself to see what is here today.
Notice the colors,
Perhaps of trees or flowers,
Beach or water.
Listen to the sounds here.
Perhaps you hear birds or waves or the sound of wind.
As your sanctuary unfolds,
Your senses become more and more alive and your body feels more and more calm,
Breathing in peace and breathing out fear.
As these impressions become even more vivid,
Do you notice any shifts in your body,
An opening or a groundedness,
Something else altogether?
Wanting to explore your surroundings?
Perhaps you're even more aware of the smells here,
The salt in the air,
The smell of pine.
Breathe in the smells of your sanctuary and these smells may even connect to taste.
See if you notice any flavors on the tip of your tongue or the roof of your mouth.
Let yourself rest in peace and calm,
Centered,
Grounded,
At peace.
Body and mind are one.
Creating a sanctuary,
One that is only yours,
So that when you need to visit the sanctuary,
You can.
Every time that you return,
You will feel these warm feelings,
These feelings of safety,
Increased understanding and peace.
You come here to explore yourself,
To find calmness when you need to get away from moments of tension,
Anxieties or fear.
Now allow yourself to continue walking around this place,
Knowing that you will soon find a place for healing,
A healing garden of sorts.
What will you plant?
Will it be healing thoughts of past,
Present or future?
The seeds you sow here will be fertile and you can pull any weeds you need to.
Spend a few moments just experiencing what this is like.
These feelings of calmness in your special place,
Soothing and familiar,
It can be reached when you need to feel comforted.
You can return at any time to the special place by closing your eyes and desiring to be there.
You will come to recognize and always feel these comforting feelings and in a sense,
Your imagination can become a trusted friend.
This friend will help you return to this place when you need to just by closing your eyes.
Resting here,
Calm and at peace.
Aware of the physical feeling of your body at peace in your inner sanctuary.
Imagine now as you prepare to leave this place,
Knowing that you can return at any time.
Imagine word,
Sound or symbol from your inner sanctuary,
One that you can take with you.
Perhaps word that reflects how you feel such as grounded,
Calm or at peace or a special symbol that reminds you of this inner sanctuary.
And know that even while this visualization may end,
You are free to remain here as long as you would like.
When you are ready to leave,
Simply begin to wiggle your fingers and toes,
Becoming aware of being in the here and now.
And when you are ready,
Taking three deep and conscious breaths,
Breathing in and out.
And when you are ready,
Opening your eyes.
