Welcome to this meditation for sleep.
In this time together we will focus on finding stillness,
Peace,
And rest.
It can be difficult to calm our minds when we are seeking rest.
Reconnecting to our breath can provide us with an avenue back into a deep restful state of being.
We will begin by breathing in slowly through the nose and sighing out through the mouth.
Take a long inhale through your nose and let it go in a sigh.
One more time inhale through your nose and release it.
As you become aware of your breathing and begin to deepen your breath,
I invite you to bring to mind a vast meadow with swirling grasses,
A cool breeze,
And the faint glow of sunlight across the sky.
Feel the grass beneath your fingertips,
Feel the sunshine on your face,
And feel the breeze in your hair.
As the grass sways around you,
Small pieces of leaves are gathered on the wind and float by gently.
Bring your awareness to watching these leaves dance on the wind toward you,
Near you.
If there are thoughts in your mind that are making it difficult to find rest this evening,
Allow yourself to place these thoughts on each leaf that dances by you.
Allow them to serve as messengers,
To bring your thoughts,
Items on your to-do list,
Worries,
Or wonderings into the next day.
Allow them to carry these thoughts away and by doing so,
Creating space in your mind.
Quiet,
Peaceful space.
For the next few moments,
I invite you to continue this practice of gently placing your thoughts on these leaves and letting them pass you by.
As your thoughts,
Worries,
And wonderings are carried into the next day,
Feel the space that has been created in your mind.
Blissful,
Beautiful space.
Let your body sink deeper into where you are and watch in your mind's eye as the last of the leaves make its way towards you and next to you.
Gently gather the last of your thoughts,
Place them on this leaf and let them go.
Allow yourself to continue to wade through the lush grass around you.
Feel your skin warm under the setting sun and feel the breeze along your fingertips to connect further to the present moment.
Imagine the scents around you here.
Can you smell the sweetness of the grass,
The crisp scent of the air?
Can you hear birds singing around you?
Can you hear a whistle of the wind?
Touch on each of your senses within this meta in your mind.
Allow this practice to bring you deeper into your body.
Allow it to slow down your breathing and let you sink into your bed.
Watch along the horizon as the Sun begins to set beyond the clouds,
Casting the meadow in shades of purple,
Blue and pink.
Watch as the pastels of the sky wash over the trees and the grass as the world around you begins to wind down for sleep.
Let your body drift with the natural flow of this world and let your mind venture towards rest.
