It is time to let go of your busy work week.
Your special meal is prepared.
The house is clean.
Yes,
It is time to invite the peace of the Sabbath into your home.
Let's begin by entering into a deep state of relaxation.
Lie on your back with your arms to the side and your palms up.
Take a few deep breaths coming into the here and now.
Become aware of your toes and feel them drift into this very deep,
Peaceful state of relaxation.
Feel this wave of relaxation traveling across the soles,
The heels and the ankles,
Letting go,
Letting go,
Relaxed.
Traveling up the legs,
Your calves and your shins,
Let go.
All around your knees drifting away into this peaceful state.
And now your upper legs are completely relaxed.
Now bring your awareness to the fingers and feel them drifting away.
The palms and back of the hands and wrists let go.
Forearms,
Elbows and upper arms joining in this deeply relaxed state.
Now bring your awareness to the pelvis and keep on letting go until there is nothing left to let go of.
Your abdomen and low back let go.
Mid back,
Upper back and chest melting away deeper and deeper.
Become aware of your shoulders and feel them letting go completely.
All around your neck,
Letting go,
Letting go,
Relaxed.
Your chin,
Cheeks,
Lips and tongue joining into this peaceful,
Restful state.
Your nose,
Eyes,
Forehead,
Ears and scalp completely relaxed.
Now scan your body and see if there is any area still holding on and let go.
In this deeply relaxed state,
Invite any persistent work thoughts to come into your mind for just one minute,
Knowing that you can let go of them after one minute.
Okay?
This week,
What ways were you not clear,
Not honest or kind?
Forgive yourself or forgive others and resolve to do better next week.
Feel gratitude that you have this time to let these matters go and understand that by celebrating the Sabbath,
By putting these thoughts out of your mind,
You just may see things clearer.
Ideas and solutions can come to you in just 24 hours.
Let these thoughts go now.
You could now bring in thoughts of the peaceful time that you are about to create when you light the Sabbath candles.
Quality time with family or friends.
Or if you are by yourself,
A time to feel closer to and listen to God.
What can you say or do to bring an even deeper feeling of peace and love into your home this Sabbath?
What pleasurable activity will you do this Sabbath?
Is there any prayer or ritual you feel would add to your Sabbath experience?
Is there an uplifting book you will read this Sabbath?
If there are children in your home,
How will you bless them?
How will you pass on this gift of your presence and of peace?
In this deep,
Receptive state of relaxation,
You are more open to self-talk,
To affirmations that will enhance your Sabbath experience.
Silently repeat the following affirmations.
I am now receptive to divine guidance and revelations.
I consciously focus on relaxation and deep communication with the divine for the next twenty-four hours.
My Sabbath rituals bring depth and peace into my life.
I am grateful for the gifts passed on to me from my ancestors and teachers.
I forgive myself for any unkind activities I have exhibited this week.
I thank God for this gift of life.
Let us pray and praise God with this symbol of joy and thank him for the blessings of the past week,
For life and strength,
For home and love and friendship,
For the discipline of our trials and temptations,
For the happiness that has come to us out of our labors.
You have enabled us,
O Lord,
With the blessings of work and in love has sanctified us by this Sabbath,
This rest and worship.
Now begin to move and stretch and wake up your body.
Prepare to go to the water and cleanse yourself as a mother bathes her child and prepare to welcome this sacred day.
