This is Marusi Price.
Today we'll be going on a guided meditative journey together.
Sit comfortably and relax.
Take a deep breath in,
Feel in your abdomen and then slowly breathe out through your nose.
Let's do it again.
Take another deep breath and then slowly breathe out.
Now let's do it once again.
Slowly take a deep breath,
Keep it as long as possible in your lungs and then release it through your nose.
If you wish,
Close your eyes,
Otherwise drop your gaze.
Now bring your awareness to your body.
Notice any places where you are holding onto tension,
Perhaps in your shoulders,
Your jaw or your forehead.
Soften those areas,
Imagining them melting away like warm wax.
With each exhale,
Release a bit more tension until you feel a sense of calmness settle over you.
See yourself in a desert area.
Protected by a light layer of linen clothing,
You can feel the hot sun on your skin.
The wind whips through your hair,
Carrying with it a sense of adventure.
You're riding atop of a camel and heading back to the nearest oasis after spending the afternoon sandboarding down some massive dunes.
The exhilaration is still coursing through you.
The speed,
The heat,
The rush of adrenaline.
It's one of the greatest experiences of your life.
But now the desert sun is beating down and you welcome the sight of the great ocean.
The guide leading you towards the shimmering oasis in the distance.
The sand beneath you looks hot and soft,
Shifting with each step of your camel.
You can feel the tiny grains being blown between your toes,
Their roughness a stark contrast to the smooth leather of the saddle.
As you approach,
The oasis comes into full view.
Lush greenery bursts forth from between towering sand dunes,
A stark contrast to the vast expanse of the desert.
Palm trees sway gently in the breeze,
Their cool shade calling you closer.
This isn't just an oasis,
It's a sanctuary,
A hidden gem amidst the arid landscape.
You spot a small settlement nestled within the vegetation,
Home to around a hundred people who have chosen this peaceful way of life.
As you arrive,
The sounds of the desert fade away,
Replaced by the gentle murmur of water and the chirping birds.
You find a seat at a small cafe shaded by a magnificent palm tree laden with ripe fruit,
An order refreshing drink which instantly soothes your parched throat.
Take another sip,
Savouring the taste,
Perhaps it's a sweet minty tea or a tangy hibiscus juice.
Feel the condensation form on the glass,
The coolness seeping into your fingertips.
You decide to indulge in a local delicacy,
Plump sun-ripened dates.
Hold one in your hand,
Its warm skin is lightly wrinkled.
Wring it on your nose and inhale the sweet caramel aroma.
Take a bite,
Letting the soft flesh yield to your teeth.
The taste is rich and complex,
A burst of honey with a hint of earthiness.
Taste each mouthful,
Noticing the different textures,
The smooth flesh,
The occasional fibrous bit,
And the lingering sweetness on your tongue.
After your refreshing respite,
Take a deep breath and relax.
After your refreshing respite,
You wander through the small market,
Browsing the colourful stalls overflowing with unique souvenirs.
Handcrafted jewellery gleams in the sunlight,
Beautiful pottery displays intricate patterns,
And woven scarves offer bright splashes of colour.
Tourists and locals alike mingle,
Their voices creating a gentle hum that blends with a desert breeze.
You pick up an elegant straw hat,
Its woven fibres light and airy.
Try it on.
You are grateful that the shade protects your face from the sun.
This will be the perfect companion for exploring the rest of the oasis.
Leaving the bustling marketplace behind,
You lose yourself in the colourful splendour of the local garden.
Narrow,
Winding paths call to you,
Each one promising a secret corner hidden by the bright green canopy of towering palms and exotic blooms.
As you step onto the path,
The hustle and bustle of the market melts away,
Replacing the quiet replaced by the gentle rhythm of nature.
Sunlight filters through the dense vegetation,
Dappling the path in emerald light and casting playful shadows that dance among the stunning blooms.
Every turn reveals a new explosion of colour.
Hibiscus,
The fiery red of embers,
Lilies boasting a purity that rivals the desert sand,
And fuchsia cascading in luminous purple waterfalls.
Drawn by the sweet perfume and vivid hues,
A kaleidoscope of butterflies flits between the blossoms,
Their wings like stained glass windows animated by the desert breeze.
Tiny iridescent hummingbirds hover momentarily,
Sipping nectar with needle-like beaks before darting off,
Leaving behind a trail of shimmering light.
In this haven of tranquillity,
You feel your worries melt away,
Replaced by a sense of calm that washes over you like the cool desert wind.
You discover a hidden pool whose crystal-clear waters invite you to dip your toes.
Its surface reflects the swaying palm trees overhead.
You look around and notice the intricate network of irrigation channels that bring life to the oasis,
A testament to the ingenuity and resilience of its inhabitants.
Later,
You settle into a shady nook beneath a sprawling fig tree.
Watch the locals go about their day,
Their faces etched with contentment,
And their movements imbued with a quiet grace.
Time seems to slow down here,
Allowing you to appreciate the simple pleasures of life,
The warmth of the sun,
The sweet melody of birdsong,
The taste of a freshly-picked fig bursting with sun-ripened sweetness.
You feel a sense of gratefulness for this opportunity to disconnect from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world.
This oasis reminds you that true peace and happiness can be found in the simplest things,
Away from the pressures and complexities of modern life.
As the sun dips towards the horizon,
Painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and soft purple,
You wander through the maze of pathways to the eco-camp where you're staying.
Each tent is nestled discreetly beneath the palm trees,
Their canvas gleaming like giant pearls in the fading light.
Laughter and clinking of utensils drift from the communal gathering area,
Drawing you towards the warm glow of lanterns illuminating a shared dining space.
Inside,
You discover feasts laid out under a canopy of stars.
Local musicians drum on traditional instruments,
Their melodies weaving a tapestry of sounds that mingles with the scent of spices,
And roasting vegetables.
You delight in the camaraderie sharing stories with fellow travelers and learning about the life of the oasis community.
And now it's time to say goodbye to your desert sanctuary.
With a full heart and a renewed sense of peace,
You bid farewell to the friendly locals and your fellow travelers.
You close your eyes and take one final deep breath of the oasis air,
Letting the serenity seep into your soul.
Carry this feeling of calm with you as you return to your own world.
Remember,
The peacefulness you discovered here is a state of being that you can access anytime,
Anywhere.
This guided visualization is not just a journey through a desert oasis,
It's a journey to your own inner peace.
Whenever you need a moment of rest and relaxation,
Close your eyes and return to your sanctuary.
And let the memories of the warm sun,
The cool shade,
And the sweet tastes remind you of the tranquility you discovered within.
And now let's go back to your breath.
Breathing slowly and then out.
Inhale and exhale.
Breathe in and breathe out gently.
Move your fingers,
Then your toes.
Stretch your body and when you're ready,
Open your eyes.
And now I'd like you to spare a few minutes and reflect on the following questions.
Did you notice a change in your feelings during the visualization?
How did you feel riding atop of the camel?
As you were approaching the shimmering oasis,
How did you feel?
What brought you a sense of tranquility at the oasis?
How can you describe the taste of the ripe date you enjoyed?
What did you feel grateful for while exploring the oasis?
How did you feel while walking under the towering palms and exotic blooms in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
How did you feel when you were walking in the garden?
