Island Of The Sleeping Ponies

Hello,

We are going to do a meditation to help you fall asleep.

As you let yourself become comfortable and relaxed,

Imagine it is a warm summer evening.

The sun is low in the sky and its golden rays shine softly on you as you stand on the edge of a beautiful sparkling bay.

Off in a distance,

You spy a little island with grassy meadow on it.

You would love to go,

But you have no way to get there.

As you stand here,

Let yourself see,

Hear,

Smell and feel everything around you.

You feel so peaceful as the wind softly strokes your cheeks and your face and your hair.

There are birds swooping and darting against the deep blue sky,

Calling out to each other.

You hear a splash as a fish jumps in the water.

The waves are lapping against the shore.

You feel happy to be here with your toes in the water.

You do not even notice at first that a little blue boat is coming towards you.

What could this be?

Quietly,

The little boat glides to a stop in front of you.

Deep and sturdy,

It has several snug,

Red cushiony seats built into it.

You sense that this is a safe,

Magic boat and that at that very moment you spy a piece of paper.

It has your name on it.

Unfolding the paper,

You read a message meant especially for you.

It says,

You are relaxed and safe.

Please get in and come.

And you do.

The little boat begins to journey out from the land.

The boat is carrying you towards the island with the grassy meadow.

It moves smoothly,

Like a dolphin gliding through the water.

You're feeling safe in the sturdy little boat as the deep,

Slanting rays of golden sunlight up everything around you.

You're filled with wonder.

You love the smell of the fresh,

Salt air.

Everything seems to shine with a magic gold and blue light.

As you approach the shore,

You hear a high barking sound.

Looking out over the side of your boat to the water,

You see a shiny little seal with grey eyes.

Watching you.

His whiskers are long and his small face is so kind and gentle.

He is a shy creature and his mouth,

And in his mouth he is carrying something for you.

Hanging in a little bag.

Slowly,

Carefully,

You reach over the side and pat his sleek little head ever so softly.

His eyes close.

Then,

With his nose,

He nudges you and the bag slides into your hand.

He dips his head and is gone.

Goodbye.

You look in the little bag and it is filled with apples and carrots.

As the boat lands,

You step out onto the soft sand.

The grass is very tall around the beach,

But a white gull lands to you to show you the way to the hidden path.

The path curves around and suddenly you're in the most beautiful meadow.

The scent of blossoms,

Sweet grasses,

And pines from the forest behind rises to your nose and you breathe in deeply.

Almost drinking the wonderful smell.

Suddenly,

You are aware of eyes watching you.

The meadow is filled with small golden-haired ponies standing completely still watching you.

Their manes and tails are so full and fluffy.

You slowly walk up to one of them and you are smiling.

Instead of running away,

It nuzzles your hand and though it has been waiting for you to come.

It is the most magic moment and you are so happy.

Pretty soon,

The other little ponies come towards you.

They are not afraid.

They all seem to want to be your friends.

They make soft sounds and when they look at you,

They have the biggest eyes like dark melted chocolate.

They lean against you with total trust.

Then you remember the seal's gift and you take out an apple and a carrot for each pony.

They eat them from your hands.

Their tongues rough but gentle.

They lick your hands clean and when even nuzzles,

It's faced right up to yours.

It is so special and so calm.

Then you hear a slight snorting and the mother horse comes out of the woods into the meadow.

All the ponies amble over to her and she leans down with her long neck and nuzzles each one.

Many just want to lean against her and they do.

Now the sun has dipped beneath the land and you see the first lone star come out.

Even as the last streaks of rose and orange fade away.

It is time for sleep.

The mother walks around all the ponies hurting them together.

One by one,

They lie down in the sweet grass,

Their heads resting on each other's bellies.

Their eyes closing in sleep.

She walks over to you too and gazes at you with love and caring in her liquid brown eyes.

You're feeling very safe and relaxed and very sleepy.

So you too lie down to sleep.

The mother will take care of you.

You know this.

You are a special part of this circle on the island of the sleeping ponies.

Good night.