Welcome,
My name is Joanne,
And I'm joining you today not just as a guide,
But as a fellow caregiver walking this path alongside you.
As I care for my daughter through a terminal illness,
I know the weight of the worries you carry,
And the deep exhaustion that can settle within you.
I created this practice because I needed this healing light too,
So this is a space for us to be cared for together.
Find a comfortable position,
Seated or lying down,
However your body needs to be right now.
Let your hands rest softly,
Palms open if that feels natural.
Gently close your eyes,
And take one slow breath in through your nose,
And now release it with a sigh through your mouth.
Let that sigh carry whatever you've been holding,
Just let it go.
Notice your body where it meets the surface beneath you.
Feel it holding you,
Supporting you.
You don't have to hold yourself up.
You can soften into the surface that is supporting you.
You are safe.
Take another breath,
And as you exhale,
Allow your shoulders to drop just a little more than you thought they could.
Unclench your jaw.
Relax your hands.
Smooth out the muscles around your eyes.
You're allowed to be soft right now.
Now bring your awareness to the center of your chest.
Not to analyze anything there,
Just notice,
With an open awareness and curiosity.
Notice how it feels in this area of your body.
Notice if there are any sensations here.
Perhaps there's some heaviness,
Or lightness,
Perhaps an empty feeling,
Or maybe you don't notice any sensations,
And that's ok.
Regardless of what you notice,
Give it permission to be here.
You may bring your hands to chest,
As a way of welcoming whatever it is that is showing up.
And if it feels right,
You can even breathe into that space,
Like a tide that laps the shore.
The water arrives,
Steady and faithful,
Flowing over the sand,
And filling every hollow and gap.
Each breath a small wave returning to you,
Filling the spaces that have been emptied by all your caring.
Now imagine a glowing ball of warm golden light in your chest,
Beginning to grow and expand.
Soft,
Warm rays of light,
Like late afternoon sun filtering through leaves.
Feel that warmth beginning to expand now,
And flow through your entire torso,
Spreading,
Nourishing and soothing the chest,
Belly,
And your whole back,
Slowly flowing up into your shoulders,
And then down your arms,
Like warm honey,
Flowing down into your hands,
And all the way down to your fingertips.
Feel that glowing ball of light in your chest again,
And now spreading up the torso,
All the way up into your neck,
Relaxing and soothing any stiffness or pain,
Relaxing the throat,
And easing any tension and tightness from unexpressed words.
And now flowing up into your head,
Relaxing your chin,
The cheeks and jaw,
Flowing up into your temples,
And behind your eyes,
And gently into your brow,
Your forehead,
And all the way up to the crown of your head,
Letting it fill your skull,
Bathing your brain,
Washing away any thoughts or worries,
Anywhere there is tension,
Physically,
Mentally,
Emotionally,
It simply dissolves,
And that space is replenished with healing light.
Feel that glowing ball of light in your chest again,
And now it moves down through your belly,
Down through the pelvic area,
Flowing down like warm honey through your hips,
And all the way down to the soles of your feet.
You're filled with warm healing light,
A comforting warmth that feels soothing,
Loving,
And nurturing.
Just stay here for a moment,
Receiving this warmth,
Letting it fill your entire being from head to toe,
Letting it nourish you.
There is nothing you need to fix or figure out in this moment,
Nothing to carry,
Just this moment,
Being held by the support beneath you,
Nourished by your breath,
And by this healing light within you.
This healing light and warmth doesn't run out,
It is generous,
And it washes away tension,
Fatigue,
Stress,
Worry,
And then it replenishes any parts of your being,
Physically,
Mentally,
Emotionally.
It is steady,
And limitless,
And right now you are being refilled,
And just rest in that.
Let yourself stay here a little longer,
Breathing slowly,
Resting,
Allowing the warm soft light to flow through your entire body,
From head to toe,
Inside and out.
And when you feel ready,
And only when you feel ready,
Begin to deepen your breath,
Let a little awareness return to the room around you,
The sounds,
The air on your skin,
And gently move your fingers and hands,
Your toes and feet,
Take one last long slow breath in,
And release it with a full unhurried sigh,
A healthy sigh,
One that says,
I am kind and patient with myself,
It's ok to take breaks,
I am doing the best I can.
