The Library of Hopes and Dreams.
Welcome.
Today I'll be guiding you on a journey to a magical library.
To an ancient place of curiosity,
Knowledge,
Comfort and healing.
For this guided relaxation session,
You can either sit in a chair or lie down.
It's worth taking the time to become settled,
Warm and comfortable.
By covering yourself with your favourite blankets.
Supporting your body with cushions.
And ensuring you won't be disturbed during this time of rest.
Feel the surface beneath you,
Holding you.
So you feel safe.
And at ease as we begin our inward journey.
I invite you to close your eyes and begin by relaxing your body by taking some breaths in and out.
Just rest your attention on the natural sensation of the breath.
As you breathe in.
And breathe out.
Feel the movement of your chest and your belly.
As it rises with the in-breath.
And falls with the outbreath.
Feel the warm healing air coming and going.
As you count three more breaths in and out.
And now bring your attention.
20 sounds coming to you.
Just listen with a gentle curiosity.
As you begin relaxing.
Releasing and letting go.
There is nothing else you need to be doing in this moment.
Except listening to the sound of my voice.
Becoming more.
And more relaxed.
Using your awareness.
Let's take the time now to scan the whole body.
For any tension.
By focusing on feeling the muscles and parts of our body.
Softening and loosening.
Relaxing and releasing.
Let's begin by focusing on the soles of your feet.
And notice any sensation around your heels.
Your toes and the top of your feet.
Feel the muscles in your feet softening a little.
Relaxing and releasing.
Simply let go of any tension you can feel across the whole of your feet.
Slowly now,
Move up to your calves.
Your knees.
Your thighs.
And around the area of your stomach.
Feel your hands resting on your lap or by your side.
Maybe they are beginning to feel heavy and relaxed.
Bring your attention to your chest rising and falling with the breath.
Feel into the muscles around your shoulders.
Your jaw.
In and around your eyes and forehead.
And finally the top of your head.
If you find yourself getting distracted.
Open your awareness to the feeling of your body softening and relaxing.
Focus on my voice guiding you.
And the natural sensation of your breath as you breathe in and out.
And out.
Breathe into any places of remaining tension.
And let them go with the next out-breath.
And now let's begin our journey.
To a magical library of hopes and dreams.
I'd like you to imagine.
There is a large wooden door in front of you.
It is shaped like an archway.
And is made from deep red rich mahogany.
You observe the doors covered with ornate carvings.
Etched deep within the wood grain.
You see images of animals.
Jungle plants.
Birds and symbols.
It is beautiful.
And you realise the door offers a portal to somewhere magical.
Stepping forward,
You reach out and wrap your fingers around the smooth gold doorknob.
The door opens easily.
And reveals a long dark corridor.
Stepping through the doorway,
You notice a lamp's warm orange glow,
Illuminating hundreds and hundreds of books lining the corridor.
You are amazed to see shelves stacked from floor to ceiling with books of all shapes,
Colours and sizes.
Looking upwards,
There are several floors above you that are also full of books.
And spiral staircases connect the floors.
How wonderful.
There is a window to your left.
And it is twilight outside.
You see the magical hues of soft pink.
Warm orange.
And cool blue.
As the last traces of the day are starting to fade away.
You hear a loud rhythmic purr.
And a large fluffy orange cat approaches.
Rubs your legs,
And as you reach down to pat it,
Your fingers sink into its long soft fur.
It seems to be encouraging you to follow it to a room at the end of the corridor.
And your gaze is drawn to the warm glow of a fire.
You are curious to explore this magical place.
So you make your way towards the fire's soft glow.
As you enter the room,
The end of the corridor,
You noticed an old woman stacking books onto a trolley.
She smiles at both you and the cat and speaks.
Welcome.
We've been waiting for you.
You have arrived at the Library of Hopes and Dreams.
I am the Librarian and the Keeper of Knowledge.
Books have been used to store and offer wisdoms for personal insight for hundreds of years.
You have found your way here for a reason.
So pay attention to what arises.
All you need to do is ask a question.
Select a book off the shelf.
And open it to find the answer to your question.
The cat purrs quietly and encourages you to step towards the shelves.
Taking a deep breath,
You let your hands linger over the different coloured spines and consider what the librarian has shared.
Maybe there is something you need to let go of.
Or is there something you need answers to on your inner journey?
You select a book at random and open its pages.
Here's a book on wild Africa.
And hear the sounds of the Savannah.
A lion roars.
And elephant trumpets in the distance.
Giraffe seemed to pace across the page.
You watch with delight.
And then gently close the book.
As an ostrich feather floats to the floor.
You carefully choose another book.
It is sandy brown in colour.
And the book cover feels rough and textured.
When you open it,
The sound of the ocean greets you.
Waves are breaking heavily against the sandy shore,
Creating a rhythmic ebb and flow as the water goes in and out on the tide.
The smell of salt and seaweed is refreshing yet pungent.
And your hands feel damp from the cool sea spray.
Smiling,
You gently close the book and make another selection.
This time.
You reach for a book with a translucent,
Almost shimmering cover.
In beautiful green hues.
You note it's your favourite colour.
And you feel a tingle.
As you hold it in your hands.
This is the book you've been looking for.
The librarian smiles and encourages you to sit by the fireplace and begin reading.
A large chair beckons and you sing into soft,
Comfortable leather,
Supported by feathered cushions,
And you begin to read.
The fire is warm and burns brightly against the dark interior of the library.
The smell of pine cones permeates the air and they make a crackling sound as they burn.
Pot of fresh peppermint tea and a plate of crisp buttery biscuits are waiting for you.
Gentle music plays softly in the background.
It is so comfortable and relaxing.
You take a deeper breath and sit down with a sigh and gently hold the book lightly in your hands and begin reading.
After some time,
The librarian says.
Ask your question now and let the answer be revealed.
Suddenly,
The answer to your question is illuminated.
And a wave of relaxation and gratitude wash over you.
What words and images come alive for you?
What thoughts and feelings are arising.
Time passes and soon you notice the fire has slowly burnt down to just glowing embers.
Your teapot is empty.
And you have reached the end of your book.
It is time to leave this magical place.
And return home.
You take another deep breath,
Inhaling one last time,
The scent of leather,
Parchment.
Pine cones and peppermint tea.
You give thanks to the librarian.
She smiles and continues her work of maintaining this magical library of hope and dreams.
The cat stretches lazily.
And walks alongside you.
And you make your way back down the corridor to the library entrance.
Pausing.
You give thanks for your time here.
Knowing you are feeling lighter.
With a sense of peace and clarity and possibility.
You go out through the large door and follow the path safely back home.
When you are ready,
Slowly begin to wake your body up with three deep breaths.
Become aware of your chest rising with the in-breath.
And falling with the out-breath.
And now bring in some more gentle movement.
Perhaps wiggle your fingers and your toes.
You may like to have a long stretch.
And consider.
What will you take from your visit?
To the library of hopes and dreams.
All is well.
And you know that it is.
