Let's take a walk to the woods,
To the forest of trees great and small.
Where perhaps a stream flows through.
So closing your eyes in any comfortable sitting or lying down position.
Allow your body to rest.
And as you enter into the forest.
You notice the sun is shining.
And it feels so good and warm.
You begin to hear a few birds singing nearby in branches up above.
Calling to each other.
Also enjoying the warm sunshine.
Using your imagination.
Listening now to any other sounds you might hear.
It is so peaceful and quiet.
The only sounds that reach your ears are the wonderful sounds of nature.
As you walk through the woods.
You spot a tree at the bottom of the hill.
A very large tree.
You hear it calling to you.
You walk down and over to it.
And place your ear against the rough bark.
Then wrap one arm.
Then the other around this enormous tree.
It is so big,
Your arms do not reach all the way around it.
Feel the energy this tree has to offer.
With your ear against the tree.
Listen to the energy.
The life inside the tree.
This tree has been growing on this earth for many years.
In the very spot you now stand.
It is much older than you.
It is wiser than you.
It has weathered all kinds of storms,
Right from spring all the way through to winter.
Its roots have remained steadfast.
Secure in all kinds of weather.
Its branches have protected and offered shelter to many birds and animals.
Your tree is always growing.
Always bending with the surroundings.
Are you growing and bending?
See the branches reaching up.
As if seeking answers.
As if seeking the truth.
Listen now with your one ear still against the tree to all the goodness flowing through the trunk.
Imagine all the layers inside the tree.
Really see them.
Now stand back just a little.
Close enough that you can still keep one hand on this sturdy,
Magnificent tree.
The bark,
Rugged and strong,
Also has many layers and indentations.
Many insects make their home here.
Take a deep inhale.
And smell the freshness and earthy scent of the woods.
With your one hand on the tree.
Feel the energy flowing from you.
To the tree.
And from the tree to you.
Feel renewed.
You are one with this tree.
Step back a few steps now.
And take in all your surroundings.
The small undergrowth.
Smaller trees.
Maybe even larger trees.
The sun rays poking through.
Give thanks for trees and all they offer to us.
Now turn slowly to climb back up the hill.
You stop for a moment.
Looking back at your tree one last time.
And remember to leave the past behind where it belongs.
Moving along in the present moment.
Making your way across the forest floor.
Just notice anything in your view,
In your imagination.
And just a few more steps all the way back up to the top.
Back into the sunshine.
Towards the future.
And with your next inhalation,
Just feeling refreshed and renewed.
And you can come back to this meditation anytime you like.
If there's no woods near you,
Or even if there are.
Just taking yourself,
Your imagination into the woods,
To a tree,
To the woods of forest of great and small trees.
And just be here in nature.
And whenever you're ready.
Open your eyes.
And welcome back.
Thank you for joining with me.
Namaste.
