Settle in for a night of deep restoration and profound tranquility with a sleep story for grown-ups.
You are listening to The Mystical Redwoods Deep Sleep Story.
A serene bedtime journey set amidst an ancient coastal redwood forest.
As afternoon light filters through the canopy,
You wander along sun-dappled trails,
Breathing in the scent of damp earth and resin.
With the descent of the sun,
You ascend a canopy trail,
Winding higher and higher into the sky-piercing giants.
This path leads you to a unique canopy accommodation,
A suspended haven high above the forest floor.
Below you,
A thick silken mist rises and blankets the world below in a soft ethereal cloud.
Yet you remain above it all,
Safe and cozy in a magical realm where the vast star-studded sky gleams with unparalleled brilliance.
In this lofty,
Peaceful space,
The air is crisp,
The quiet profound,
And the world is here to remind you of unlimited possibilities.
It's time to dream away.
Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.
I'm Michelle,
And I invite you to cuddle up and celebrate making it to the end of the day with this gentle practice.
Think of me as a dear and long-time friend who always reminds you that your sleep is a priority.
My voice will only bring us to the most comforting and safe places,
Giving you the dreamy escape you deserve.
In the sanctuary of your room and mind,
Anything becomes possible.
Tonight's story was inspired by a recent experience.
I'm incredibly fortunate to get to go to the theater often.
Last month I saw Redwood on Broadway before it closed.
It left an impression and made me want to revisit the Redwoods with a new story.
Let me know in the comments if there is a place in nature you visited that has profoundly affected you.
As you listen,
Remember you are always free to change any details and fall asleep whenever you wish.
My stories are meant to be experienced with the fluidity of a dream.
We're going to take a moment to enjoy some relaxing breaths together and set the tone for the night ahead.
Get comfy,
Come to stillness,
And release a sigh,
Making a sound as you exhale.
Then,
Sip in the air slowly,
Imagining the delicate,
Earthy perfume of redwood needles and damp earth fills the air carried on a gentle forest breeze.
Your room transforms,
Taking on the cozy qualities of a secret encampment within the redwood canopy.
Let out a long,
Gentle sigh,
Releasing any tension or lingering thoughts of the day.
5.
Appreciate the stillness of this moment and the quiet settling of your mind.
Continue to inhale,
Maybe yawn,
And sigh at the tempo that feels good to you now.
As I count us down,
Each breath becomes deeper and more grounding.
5.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose,
Connecting with the clean,
Almost ancient aroma of the redwood giants,
Feeling the cool,
Refreshing mist on a perfect afternoon.
4.
A deep sense of gratitude washes over you as you appreciate this time for yourself,
A peaceful pause from life's demands,
And the soft rustle of invisible wings in the distant canopy creates a soothing lullaby.
3.
A wave of comfort and warmth spreads through you,
Feeling utterly safe and nurtured within the sky-high forest,
As a gentle forest breeze kisses your face,
Carrying a hint of salt from the Pacific.
2.
Your muscles soften,
Your jaw relaxes,
And you find it effortless to surrender to the gentle sway of your haven and the peaceful,
Enduring essence of the redwoods' spirit.
1.
All thoughts and concerns have evaporated in the mist,
Creating the space in your imagination to revel in the gentle wonders of the mystical redwoods 3.
As you inhale,
Yawn,
And sigh one last time,
Your breath returns to an easy,
Natural rhythm.
It's time for the story to commence.
4.
Sunlight slips through the canopy of redwoods as you walk along the emerald-green,
Mossy shoulder of a silvery-gray ribbon of trail that weaves around a forest of ancient redwood trees in Northern California.
5.
Your boots press down on the soft,
Damp earth,
Dewy and aromatic.
As you inhale,
You take in the primal smells of conifers,
Rich earth,
And the subtle sweetness of forest wildflowers.
6.
The air feels so crisp and clean,
Almost mentholated and slightly briny as it enters your airway.
7.
And you think of this mantra,
One you saw on a sign along the way,
8.
When I breathe,
I hope.
With each new breath comes a profound sense of hope.
Hope is abundant in the sacred space,
Where you may encounter the wisdom of the redwoods.
9.
Human nature has so much it can learn from these ancient trees.
Coast redwoods live as long as 1,
500 to 2,
000 years,
While giant sequoias approach 3,
000.
Though the coast redwoods around you aren't nearly as wide as giant sequoias,
Some of the oldest trees boast a diameter still big enough that 8 to 12 people could hold hands in a circle,
Communing around their majestic trunks.
Redwoods rely on one another with relatively shallow roots that spread out incredibly wide,
Intertwining with those of their neighbors.
This creates a vast living network beneath the forest floor,
A subterranean embrace where trees share water,
Nutrients,
And even stability,
Holding each other upright against the fiercest winds and storms throughout centuries.
They exist in harmony with one another,
And the silent understanding that no redwood stands truly alone,
But thrives as part of an interconnected family.
10.
You arrive as an explorer on a spiritual trek.
Like the trees,
You feel a strong connection to life around you.
Perhaps you travel with a beloved pet,
Or maybe you journey solo,
But you're never truly alone.
A red-tailed hawk soars overhead,
Brave and regal,
Against the crystal blue sky.
Its call echoes,
A wild blessing in the quiet air.
11.
You glimpse a flash of electric blue as a stellar's jay darts between the colossal trunks.
You enter an unmarked trail,
Its path cushioned with soft mulch that gives beneath your soles.
12.
A deep connection fills you with a profound sense of adventure as you unite with this escape.
You came here with a hunger,
A deep desire to relish every sensation,
And come back to a sense of feeling alive and engaged with life.
The stillness in the air is cool and makes you grateful for your warm pullover and soft-worn jeans.
13.
On your shoulders,
Your hiking backpack containing your necessary items for this journey feels snug against your body.
You connect with your own strength and endurance as you trek onward,
And recognize all the working parts of your body that function even when you don't pay mind to them.
14.
Small twigs and sticks snap beneath your feet as you spot a tawny deer with two fawns,
Their spotted coats camouflaged against the undergrowth.
15.
They peer at you with gentle curiosity and you feel just as curious as you catch their dark,
Liquid eyes,
A silent acknowledgment of shared space.
16.
You take in a deep inhalation,
Resting your hand on the bark of a tree,
Feeling its energy as you sigh out any thoughts that challenge you,
Any burdens that brought you to this moment of seeking out both a sanctuary and a refuge.
17.
As you find yourself deeper in the forest,
The sky begins to disappear behind the lush branches as you look up at these trees in awe.
18.
Following a compass and your intuition,
You are soon surrounded by so many trees that you cannot see where the forest begins or ends.
19.
You are in the heart of the redwoods and begin forest bathing,
A term used by the Japanese,
As you slow down and awaken your senses,
20.
Taking in your profound relationship with yourself and the majestic landscape around you.
21.
Your heart rate slows,
Your mind clears,
And all the noise of modern life is but a distant,
Fading memory.
22.
You feel the goosebumps that pop up on your arms and legs as your hair raises and she recognizes in this moment your own aliveness,
That you are life itself,
Connected to this timeless living system.
23.
Stately mythical beings,
Like the redwoods,
Are never told to not stand tall,
To not claim the space they require.
They simply grow in silence,
Connecting with ancient wisdom,
Fulfilling their destiny.
24.
As you crane your neck to peer through the canopy,
Finding pieces of a deepening blue sky,
You imagine what it would be like to grow and journey through life without expectations.
With nothing to hold you back from your true potential.
In this shared moment with the forest,
Parts of you awaken to pleasant ideas and images of a life lived boldly,
Full of expansion.
25.
The redwoods show what's possible,
Having grown exponentially from a tiny seed that was nurtured for hundreds or thousands of years.
26.
You continue onward,
Knowing you are getting closer to the canopy trail.
Daylight begins to wane and a wooden arrow sign guides you to the entry point for your elevated journey.
Through a break in the colossal trunks,
Your gaze catches something extraordinary in the distance.
High above,
Almost imperceptible at first,
You see a delicate network of platforms and bridges.
An intricate webbing that gracefully winds around the immense redwoods.
Like a spider's silken masterpiece,
But on an epic scale.
27.
The canopy trail is meticulously designed to honor the trees and preserve their integrity,
Never piercing their ancient bark,
But gently embracing them.
28.
You discern tiny figures moving along this aerial path,
Other lone hikers like yourself,
Embarking on their own quiet ascents to peace.
They are spread out,
Each experiencing their solo journey,
Yet subtly connected by the shared adventure.
A silent community moving upward and winding round and round.
A thrill of anticipation sparks within you,
A sense of wonder of what awaits.
29.
As you finally arrive at the discreet entrance to the canopy trail,
Painted by the soft,
Golden light of the upper forest,
A friendly,
Rugged face greets you.
30.
This is Bryce,
A conservationist with eyes that twinkle with a lifetime of wisdom among these giants.
His hair is wild and free,
And his worn plaid shirt and well-worn cargo pants speak of countless days spent exploring and communing with nature.
He's quirky,
With an endearing habit of gesturing enthusiastically when he speaks of the Redwoods,
And his kindness radiates warmly.
31.
Bryce has dedicated his entire adult life to researching these very Redwoods,
Understanding their secrets,
And safeguarding their future.
He offers a warm,
Knowing smile,
And with a gentle,
Patient voice,
Gives you all the essential information for the trail ahead,
And your unique night amongst the trees.
He explains the secure,
Yet yielding nature of the pathways,
The subtle creaks you might hear as the trees breathe around you,
And the unparalleled magic of being suspended directly beneath the stars,
With the world of the forest floor a distant,
Muffled whisper.
32.
He reassures you of safety,
Emphasizing the respectful engineering that allows humans to visit the sacred space without disturbance.
He hands you a walkie-talkie,
Insisting you can reach out whenever you like,
Should you need anything.
You step onto the first platform,
The secure sway beneath your feet,
An easy,
Rocking motion,
Instantly deepening your connection to the living giants.
33.
Each step along the series of sturdy,
Narrow walkways and bridges is intentional and taken with care,
A mindful journey higher and higher into the spirit of the Redwoods,
The air here,
Subtly different from the forest floor,
Grows lighter and clearer,
Carrying a fresher,
Almost metallic scent,
Mingled with the drier,
Resinous perfume of bark warmed by the last rays of the setting sun.
As you climb,
The sky changes into a canvas of sunset hues.
Shafts of deep,
Orange-gold light pierce through gaps in the feathery branches,
Illuminating the tiniest droplets of moisture in the pristine air.
The views transform with every turn.
The dense undergrowth below recedes,
Becoming a green carpet,
Then a textured map.
You pass branches that were once distant,
Now close enough to touch.
Their needles and shades are deeply soothing greens.
Little chickadees flit close,
Unafraid,
Their cheerful calls welcoming you to their aerial domain as they celebrate the close of a perfect day.
The sheer stoicism and strength of the trees at your level feel both overwhelming and deeply inspiring.
Their immense trunks form natural cathedrals.
Their cells have been silent,
Steady witnesses to centuries of change.
A quiet confidence takes root within you,
A reflection of their unwavering presence.
The journey upward is transformative,
Physically and spiritually,
As you rise in their steady majesty and continue to shed all earthly concerns.
The canopy trail gracefully leads you to your destination Thoughtfully named Owlet Haven and tagged with a hand-carved wooden sign,
This spacious,
Open-air canopy isn't the usual accommodation one expects on a journey.
Unlike a tent or a cabin,
It is a suspended,
Net-like structure.
Securely anchored between eight magnificent redwoods,
This ethereal platform is designed for sleeping directly beneath the open sky.
A small section of your accommodations is surrounded by a modesty curtain,
Offering rustic,
Though necessary,
Amenities.
You carefully step onto the woven surface,
Which gives a gentle,
Supportive bounce.
Many souls who camp out here express that the experience conjures a feeling of being cradled by the redwoods.
As you inhale deeply,
Your breath and heart rate slowing down after the persistent climb.
The air feels more pure and clean than any air you've breathed before.
Small,
Sparkling lights are strung subtly within the netting and along the tree branches,
And they begin to flicker on.
The tiny golden bulbs illuminate this one-of-a-kind hanging alcove with a soft,
Warm glow that mimics the very stars you'll soon gaze upon.
You settle in the enchanting,
Cozy embrace of this elevated haven,
Your personal,
Luminous,
Private sanctuary.
You set down your bag and settle as the sunset paints the western horizon in hues of deep orange and soft violet that bleeds into fuchsia and twilight blue.
From this vantage point,
The sunset feels even more immense,
Unobstructed by peaks or lower trees.
As you pull out your pre-packed dinner,
Simple though savory favorites,
The spicy,
Herbaceous notes mingle with the clean,
Green scent of the forest,
Creating a unique dining experience.
You enjoy your dinner in silent communion with the redwoods,
Punctuated by the soft rustle of branches high above,
And the distant,
Haunting song of a nightingale beginning its evening serenade.
As twilight deepens and you finish your meal,
The landscape undergoes a magical transformation.
Far below you,
Like a slow-motion incoming tide,
A thick,
Ethereal mist begins to rise from the forest floor.
It doesn't roll in from the nearby coast,
But wells up from the damp ground,
Gradually filling the spaces between the redwood trunks.
You inhale and exhale along with this expansive breath of the forest.
The cool,
Moist air condenses as the temperature drops,
And you add another layer of fleecy warmth.
The silvery,
Gray mist climbs higher and higher,
Like a gossamer veil that slips and embraces the canopy trail that brought you here.
The tops of the lower trees disappear,
One by one,
Into the swirling vapor until the entire landscape beneath you transforms into a lavender-gray sea of clouds.
Nestled in your suspended haven,
You are above it all,
Feeling more distance between the chaos of life on Earth and the heavenly peace amongst these ancient giants.
The air around you remains crisp and clean,
Offering crystal clear views of the darkening night sky.
With every passing minute,
More and more stars flicker to life,
Their diamond light against the deepening velvet of the night.
A crescent moon rises overhead,
And the gradient of indigo and deep marine blues of the sky cast the forest in rich nocturnal shades.
This is the show you came for,
The profound peace of being between two worlds,
The misty,
Dreamy Earth and an infinite,
Star-studded sky.
You feel so small among the redwoods,
Yet utterly connected,
As if you have been made miniature,
Like a fairy or gnome now existing in this enchanted upper forest.
A wave of sleepiness arrives,
And throughout the trees,
Not too far away,
You see the slightest twinkle of golden light from other suspended encampments.
You feel a shared sense of gratitude with all the beings lucky enough to experience the world from this special vantage point.
The fog swirls beneath you,
An otherworldly ocean.
You breathe deeply.
The clear night air is a refreshing tonic.
The mystique is intriguing,
As you relish this moment alone,
Feeling safe and perfectly content.
This adventure is truly yours to cherish and remember.
You go through all preparations for bed,
As the waves of sleepiness continue to arrive.
You move towards your sleeping bag,
And unroll it onto the firm,
Yet yielding surface of the net.
Taking your time to carefully climb in,
You zip it tightly and pull it beneath your chin.
You feel like a child on a new adventure.
Cozy and protected,
Yet still so open and connected with the vast,
Starlit nature that surrounds you.
You turn off the small,
Twinkling lights to focus your attention on the constellations and moon.
Your body is so warm,
But the air that kisses your face is cool.
A perfect combination for a night of deeply restorative sleep.
The forest begins to speak to you.
Maternal whispers that reflect the intentions of your highest self.
Stand tall.
Nurture yourself.
In this healing moment,
You feel part of all that is timeless.
You sigh,
Feeling grounded despite being so far above the earth.
The gentle,
Almost imperceptible sway of the net is a cradle supporting your back and limbs.
As you are contained in the safe pod of your sleeping bag,
The celestial display above remains vibrant,
A continuous,
Silent spectacle.
Cozy as you are now,
You know you will have the most magical night of dreams.
Nights like tonight are full of possibilities.
The fog whispers below you,
Reminding you the world can still be soft.
You embrace every bit of softness the night provides.
As the clean,
Purifying air meets you with every inhalation,
Drifting in and out of consciousness,
You revel in this happy in-between.
The gateway to sleep,
Not unlike the weaving canopy trail,
Elevates you to a place of deep serenity.
Sleep comes easy amongst the redwoods.
Cradled in the safe,
Floating haven with a deep sense of gratitude.
Nights and journeys like this remind you of how unlimited the beauty of this world can be,
And how much more there is to explore.
But for now,
You may explore these dreamy escapes in a night of sleep.
Your mind floats as if being carried by the fog as it weaves through the redwood trees below,
A soft,
Delicate guide to slumber.
Finding serenity.
Finding comfort.
Finding peace.
