Breathe in deeply,
Fully,
Letting in relaxation and letting out tension.
Breathe deeply until you find a restful rhythm.
Then,
Ease into a nice,
Calming rhythm of breathing.
Feel your shoulders soften and your back melt into the welcoming sheets beneath you.
Stay in this place of peace,
Feeling the love and security of the universe.
Draw in a deep breath,
And as you do,
Listen to the drumbeat off in the distance.
It's soft and syncopated,
And it calls to you.
Imagine feeling your body lift into the air,
And you are walking toward the sound of the drum.
Follow the sound as it calls you with its beat.
As you stroll on air,
Notice the magic of nighttime softly buzzing all around you.
Acknowledge the beauty and the quiet softly wrapping around you like your favorite blanket.
After a moment,
You realize you are near the drumbeat.
Your body naturally floats to the ground,
Directly in front of a shaman.
Instinctively,
You bow,
Honoring the presence of this human.
And as you lift your head again,
Your eyes meet his eyes.
His glistening,
Onyx-black eyes that smile at you in the silver sheen of moonlight.
The shaman beckons you to sit,
And when you are comfortable,
He gives you the drum.
You take a minute to inspect the drum.
It's handmade with wood and rope and natural rahi,
And it feels cool in your hand.
Then the shaman hands you a drumstick.
It feels smooth,
Like carefully carved wood,
Like a gift from Mother Earth.
You pause,
And then earnestly and intentionally,
You let the drumstick strike the drum.
For a moment,
You feel the vibration in your hand,
And then it moves through you,
Filling you with energy.
You strike the drum again,
Feeling your energy align with the drum,
And then with the universe.
Feelings of purpose,
Connectedness,
And clarity rise to the surface of your consciousness.
You strike the drum again,
And again,
And again,
Until a natural rhythm evolves.
And with each touch of the drumstick to the rahi,
A healing vibration flows into you,
Lifting your mood,
Letting go of anxiety,
And filling you with blessings and peace.
After a while,
You place the drumstick on the drum and hand it back to the shaman.
His eyes smile as they meet yours,
And an unspoken understanding comes to your awareness.
The shaman's healing magic is real,
And he has shared it with you.
Ever so slowly,
You are lifted into the air and begin walking toward home,
Turning again and again to acknowledge the shaman until he disappears.
You are carried to your bed,
And you gently lay in it,
Feeling drowsy and ready for sleep after your magical journey.
And as you drift into dreamland,
You're accompanied by a soft drumbeat that ensures you're safe,
Calm,
And at peace in all of your dreams.
Namaste.
Beautiful.