So welcome to my latest guided meditation.
A warm welcome to anyone who's joining my page for the first time.
Thank you very much for listening and if you're a returning listener I wanted to offer my immense gratitude for everyone who listens and supports my page.
I wanted to create a reflective guided meditation to honour the shift in seasons.
As the seasons begin to shift I wanted to create a time where we could reflect and connect with the natural cycles of rhythm and balance that are so visible in the natural world.
The transition from summer to autumn can be a time for grounding,
Reflection and as the nights grow longer and darker an opportunity to really connect with our inner world.
And also an opportunity to prepare for the changes that lie ahead as the winter months draw closer.
So I invite you now to find a comfortable position,
Whether it's sitting,
Even standing,
Lying down,
Somewhere you can feel at ease and really supported.
Let your body settle into a shape that promotes relaxation.
Let go of the idea that it needs to look,
Be or feel a certain way.
Once you found that shape let your body settle into it,
Settle into the space that you take up,
Knowing that you are safe and held by the earth beneath you.
Begin by focusing on your breathing,
Inhale slowly and deeply and then gently exhale.
Inhale slowly and deeply and again gently exhale.
Breathe in and breathe out.
Breathe in and breathe out.
As you continue to breathe let each breath become slower and more relaxed.
Inhale and exhale.
Feel the natural rhythm of your breath,
Allowing your body to settle into the flow.
Continue this steady breathing,
Letting yourself become more present with each inhale and exhale.
Notice how your breath feels,
The gentle rise and fall of your chest and belly,
The expansion and contraction of the ribcage.
With each inhale allow yourself to sink deeper into the present moment,
Feeling your connection to the ground below.
And as you breathe bring your awareness to your body and how it is supported by the earth.
Imagine roots gently growing from your feet or from wherever your body touches the ground,
Burrowing and sinking deep into the soil.
Even if you're sitting in a chair in your living room,
These roots travel down through the chair,
Through the flooring,
The foundations of the building,
Intuitively working themselves downwards deeper and deeper into the soil beneath.
These roots are strong and nourishing,
Connecting you to the earth.
Feel that grounding,
Holding energy,
Holding you and steadying you,
Keeping you firmly,
Rooted,
Grounded,
Safely in one place.
Now begin to notice the world around you in your mind's eye.
Picture yourself sitting or standing in a peaceful clearing at the edge of a forest.
The air carries the crispness of autumn but there's still warmth from the sun.
Hanging low in the sky,
The trees surrounding you are beginning their transformation.
Their leaves turning vibrant shades of gold,
Brown,
Amber and deep deep reds.
A light breeze rustles through the branches.
Causing a few leaves to fall,
Fluttering softly to the ground.
Take a deep breath in,
Noticing the fresh earthy scent of the forest.
What other smells can you sense in the air?
As you exhale,
Listen to the subtle sounds around you.
The rustling leaves,
The soft chirping of birds,
Or perhaps the distant flow of water from a nearby stream.
The forest is calm,
Calm,
Balanced,
Preparing for the stillness of the months ahead.
As you sit in this clearing,
Feel the solid ground beneath you.
The earth is cool but comfortable.
You feel supported,
Steady,
Deeply connected.
Let your body and mind rest here,
Breathing slowly.
Breathe in for the count of four.
Breathe in for the count of four.
And exhale.
Breathe in for the count of four.
And exhale.
With each breath,
Allow yourself to feel more present in the moment.
Now,
Gently rise to your feet.
Feel the earth beneath your bare feet as you begin to walk slowly through the forest.
The ground is soft,
With fallen leaves.
Some slightly damp from the morning dew.
As you walk,
Feel the gentle rhythm of your steps.
The grounding connection between you and the earth.
The forest around you is alive,
Yet peaceful.
The balance of life and rest is all around.
Take a moment to reflect on what feels balanced in your life right now.
What areas bring you peace and harmony?
Let a sense of gratitude wash over you as you acknowledge that you are not alone.
Let a sense of gratitude wash over you as you acknowledge these places of balance.
Now bring your attention to the area of life,
Your life,
Where you feel imbalanced.
Visualise this part of your life while walking gently through the forest.
As you walk,
Allow the grounding energy of the earth to flow up through your feet,
Into your body,
Bringing calm and steadiness to the situation.
Trust that like the trees shedding their leaves,
You too can let go.
Trust that like the trees shedding their leaves,
You too can let go of what no longer serves and make space for growth and renewal.
Continue to walk for as long as you like,
Feeling the balance of the seasons within you and around you.
When you are ready,
Notice the light beginning to change.
The sun is slowly lowering in the sky,
Casting a golden glow over the landscape.
The air is cooler now and the day is turning towards you.
The air is cooler now and the day is turning towards evening.
You find a soft patch of grass and settle down once again.
Lie back,
Feeling the cool earth beneath you and the gentle support of the ground.
Gaze up at the sky and as it begins to shift from blue to soft shades of pink and orange,
Feel the earth beneath you,
Solid and constant,
Holding you in its embrace.
Allow yourself to feel completely grounded,
Fully present in this peaceful moment.
As you continue to breathe,
Let your awareness return to your body.
Feel the weight of your body resting on the ground.
Notice the sensation of your breath,
The steady rise and fall of your chest,
The gentle expansion and contraction of the ribs.
Inhale deeply for the count of four and exhale,
Releasing any remaining tension.
Inhale deeply for the count of four and exhale,
Releasing any residual tension.
When you are ready,
Gently begin to bring your awareness back to the present.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Stretch if it feels right.
Waking the body up,
Coming back to a more day-to-day state of consciousness.
When you feel ready,
Open your eyes.
Take a moment to look around,
Feeling the grounding energy of the earth still within you and know that you can always return to this place of balance,
This connection that you have to the earth.
Feeling in flow and connected to the changing seasons,
This cyclical,
Rhythmical pulse of nature that we are very much part of.
Take this calm and groundedness that you've cultivated as you move into the rest of your day and the days ahead.
