Winter's Threshold

Meditation 5,

Winter's Threshold.

Begin by taking a deep breath in,

Hold it for a moment,

Release slowly,

Envision that you are standing at the edge of a winter forest.

Snow has just begun to fall,

Soft,

Quiet,

Settling on bare branches and frozen ground.

The world is holding its breath.

This is the threshold,

The turning point,

The pause between what was and what will be.

Walk slowly into this forest,

Feel the crunch of the snow beneath your feet,

Notice how quiet it is,

How still.

This is not an empty silence,

It's a full one,

Pregnant with rest,

Rich with potential.

Find a place to stop,

Beside a tree that calls to you,

Sit,

Just sit.

Place both hands on your belly,

This is your center,

Your sanctuary,

The place where you return to yourself.

Ask quietly,

What am I ready to rest from?

What wants to go dormant like the seeds beneath the snow?

Take a few moments,

Don't rush the answer,

Then ask,

What is quietly growing in the dark,

Waiting for its season?

Listen again,

You don't need to do anything with what you hear,

Simply witness it,

Honor it.

Trust that winter's darkness is not emptiness,

It's gestation.

When you're ready,

Rise,

Walk back through the forest,

Carrying this knowing.

Open your eyes,

You've crossed the threshold.