Welcome to letting go of stress guided meditation for relaxation and restful sleep.
In the next 15 minutes or so you will find a deep state of calm within yourself free from the worries or stresses of everyday life.
As we begin try to let go of any thoughts from your day or worries about whether or not you will be able to fall asleep.
These preoccupations tend to distract us from the task at hand and can make relaxing a little more difficult.
So from now until the end of this recording give yourself permission to simply exist in the moment.
If a thought or an idea does appear you can simply smile at it and let it go.
You have earned every minute of this time for you.
If you have not already allow your eyes to drift close.
Take a deep breath and feel the way the air flows into your chest naturally and easily.
Take a deep breath in and sigh it all out releasing every tired muscle along with the air in your lungs.
Imagine every fiber of your body relaxing as if a great weight has been taken off your entire body.
Allow your chest and belly to inflate filling with the air around you.
Notice the way you are holding your eyes,
Your shoulders,
Your feet.
If you observe any tension or worry imagine it melting like butter in the Sun.
Breathe deeply and relax.
Breathe in again and feel your breath rush through your body touching and invigorating every cell.
Breathe out feeling your muscles let go of everything that has happened today and when you are ready let your breath return to its normal pattern and speed.
Take a moment to let go of any lingering thoughts and when you are ready feel yourself standing on the outskirts of a desert oasis.
Behind you are many miles of sand and rocks which you have traveled through to reach the sweet and rewarding end of your day.
You may be a little dusty from your trip or simply ready to sit down and stop for a little while.
Whatever you feel is perfect for a rippling pool of cool turquoise water lies in front of you.
You have come to this oasis in the middle of the desert created just for you.
Palm trees encircle the golden brown walls and thousands of climbing flowers hang on the intricate latticework of a wooden screen.
At one end of the pool of water stands a small fountain,
The water bubbling and splashing into the larger pool.
The trees and flowers stand guardian over this natural wonder keeping dust and worry from your day from entering.
You know that as soon as you step within the boundaries of this place you will be free from whatever burdens you carry.
With this in mind let yourself in,
Perhaps through a gate or a simple archway.
Feel any worry simply falling away.
This is your private garden,
An oasis of peace and tranquility amidst the storms of everyday life.
No harm can befall you here,
Nor can worries or thoughts from your waking life reach your senses.
Everything is calm,
Serene and just how you like it.
Here you can relax as you become accustomed to the energy of this place.
Let yourself take off your imaginary shoes and cross to the steps that begin at the water's edge.
Dangle your toes into the shallow water,
Savoring the water's cool caress.
Notice the way any tension in your feet dissolves away,
Along with the dust and grit from your journey here.
Your skin feels clean,
Refreshed and you feel the stress from your day begin to loosen its hold on you.
When you are ready,
Take another step down into the water until it reaches your knees.
The water is the perfect temperature,
Soothing the tightness in your calf muscles and the back of your knees.
They immediately feel lighter and more limber,
Ready for gentle activity or to slip into a deep and restful sleep.
All around you the water ripples gently and the flowers bob in the breeze.
Let yourself continue your journey into the water,
Noticing how it never reaches higher on your body than where you are most comfortable.
It may come up to your waist or the top of your shoulders,
Whatever feels right to you and your body.
Wherever this water touches you,
You feel your muscles letting go of tension,
Frown lines and furrowed forehead melting into a mask of blissful tranquility.
Take a little time to explore the oasis.
You can swim if you would like,
Arms and legs parting the water effortlessly.
Perhaps you would prefer to wade through the water,
Stopping to admire the lily pads that grow in the oasis and the fragrant jasmine that is planted around it.
You may encounter a sunny ledge to sit on and dry off if this feels right.
Let yourself take advantage of it,
Otherwise simply keep moving along.
Enjoy the way the water washes away all of your thoughts,
Leaving only the delicate sensations of water and sunshine in your mind's eye.
With every breath you become more and more relaxed.
If you would like,
You can let your body float on the surface of the water,
Hovering completely naturally on the surface between the water and the air.
The water supports you so easily that you do not even have to think about it.
Instead,
Allow yourself to enjoy the way it ripples around your arms and legs and savor the delicate smells of the tropical flowers around here.
Whatever you do,
Take a few moments now to float gently on the waves of relaxation.
This now is time for you,
Time to let go of whatever you carry and simply be.
Enjoy these next few moments of total relaxation.
