Vacation Of The Mind

Be easy,

Quiet,

And comfortable,

And allow the eyes to close.

Bring your attention to any thoughts in the mind,

And know that they are perfectly okay to be there.

It is one of the jobs of the conscious mind to have thoughts,

And at times we have so many thoughts.

If we are stressed,

Worried,

Uncertain,

Or fearful,

It can increase the number of those thoughts.

At times it can feel almost overwhelming.

This is why sometimes we need to take a break from those thoughts,

Maybe even take a vacation from those thoughts.

It's important to not spend too much time living in the past or living in the future.

Our mind,

Our entire system,

Is most at peace when we allow ourselves to just live in and enjoy the present moment.

So as you become aware of any thoughts that are in your mind,

Remember they are okay to be there and there's no need to try to push or force them away.

When we try to push thoughts out of the mind,

They only go deeper,

Which we do not want.

Instead of pushing any thoughts out of the mind,

Simply observe those thoughts.

Just become aware of their coming and going,

And allow those thoughts to move through the mind.

As those thoughts are drifting through the mind,

Allow them to begin to slow down all on their own.

As you continue just to be aware of any thought,

And allow those thoughts to continue to move through the mind,

Those thoughts will continue to slow down.

Your mind will begin to become a little more quiet,

A little more calm,

A little more clear.

You can watch any thoughts as they move through the mind if you would like,

Much as you might watch a bird soaring higher and higher and higher in the sky until it flies off out of sight.

And as you continue just to be aware of any remaining thoughts,

And allow those thoughts to continue to slow down,

Your mind will become even more clear.

And now think of a vacation that you have always wanted to take,

Or maybe a vacation that pops to mind right now.

You might be looking to have fun,

To relax,

To let go.

Think of where you might take this vacation.

Now this isn't the kind of vacation that has any sort of itinerary.

There's no schedule of museums or sites to see.

This is not the kind of vacation where you plan to ride every ride in an adventure or theme park.

This is not the kind of vacation where you have any obligations,

Any commitments,

Or even expectation.

This is the kind of vacation where you get to just let go,

To do exactly what you want to do.

Maybe this is a vacation that you take all by yourself,

Leaving the to-do list at home,

Taking a break to become more connected and in tune with yourself.

This is the kind of vacation where you finally get to read that novel that you've been wanting to read,

Or where you have an opportunity to re-read your favorite book.

This is the kind of vacation where you get to lay on a beach or drift slowly and calmly down a river in a raft,

Kayak,

Or canoe.

This is the kind of vacation where you get to do exactly what you want.

So where would that vacation be?

Would it be in the mountains,

Listening to the wind whistle and sing through the pine trees?

Would it be near the ocean,

Where you can hear the sound of the waves either moving up sandy beaches or crashing against ragged cliffs?

Is it warm or cool where you are?

Would you take that vacation in a country cottage with the sound of a nearby babbling brook flowing in through an open window?

Or would you simply stay in a comfortable room where you can enjoy the peace and calm and quiet all on your own?

Wherever this place is,

This is your time to enjoy it.

This is your vacation.

Think,

Feel,

Imagine all that surrounds you in that place.

Notice the sounds,

The smell,

Sensations all around you.

Take your time to enjoy your vacation with playful curiosity,

Wandering and exploring,

Just following your own urge of what you want to do in each moment.

And I invite you to notice how you feel on vacation in this moment.

Are you warm or is there a cool breeze?

Is there the sound of waves or possibly the crackle of a fire?

Do you smell salt in the air or pine?

Or did you decide to bake something delicious for yourself and it's almost ready to eat?

And check in with how you feel.

Do you feel lighter,

More centered,

Grounded?

Do you seem to move more comfortably in your body,

Free from the tension as you let go?

Are you more peaceful or carefree?

And how do you stay there in the present moment?

Do you plant bare feet in the grass?

Do you wiggle toes in rippling water or build castles of sand?

Do you make yourself a cup of hot tea?

Are you simply allowing your mind to soar?

Since this is a vacation within the realm of your mind,

Your powerful mind,

Anything is possible.

Perhaps you would like to take a look around this beautiful place through flight.

I invite you to take off and soar around enjoying the gentle breeze,

Feeling that exhilarating pleasure and joy of flying.

Or maybe you would like to dive down into cool water somewhere in this vacation paradise,

Allow yourself to swim deep or to float along enjoying the warmth of the sun and the sound of water all around you.

If you would like,

You could even climb to the top of a mountain and enjoy an effortless climb.

Climbing to the top of the mountain and enjoying the incredible view,

I welcome you to spend as much time as you would like on this vacation,

As much time as you need to just let go,

To decompress,

To unwind,

To enjoy each present moment.

And when you are ready,

I invite you to come back just a little bit into your body.

Once you've returned from this vacation,

Check in.

How do you feel?

Are you rejuvenated?

Are you refreshed?

Do you feel as though you are able to connect more deeply with Mother Nature,

With yourself?

Do you feel revitalized?

Enjoy the sensations that arise in the body.

Notice how wonderful it feels to experience increased peace and calm.

Know that you are now better equipped to handle whatever may come.

Now that you're energized and empowered,

Doesn't it feel good to have taken a little break from the physical and mental noise?

Just in your mind,

Please turn yourself around so you will be most receptive and allow all of those feelings to pour into you,

Knowing that you will take them with you no matter where you are.

And when you are ready,

Just allow the entire system to balance,

Balancing mind,

Body,

And emotion.

And when you are ready,

Slowly come all the way back out,

Coming all the way back with full physical energies returning and integrating completely,

Coming all the way back into the body,

Refreshed,

Renewed,

Revitalized,

Taking your time as you come back into the body,

Bringing your awareness to any breath,

Bringing your awareness to your fingers and toe,

And begin to wiggle and move them about.

When you're ready,

Coming all the way back all the way back into the body with eyes opening,

Stretching,

And move about.

If you happen to have a glass of water nearby,

I encourage you to drink some that will help bring you back into the body.

And know that anytime you feel that you need a little getaway,

A little break,

Or to just let go,

You can return to this recording at any time.

Thank you for spending your time with me today.