Redwoods Adventure: Releasing Fear Of Change

Welcome.

Thanks for being here.

We have a beautiful adventure waiting for you.

But before we head off into the woods,

Let's spend a few minutes calming mind and body and release some of the stresses of the day.

I'd like you to picture yourself in a grove of towering redwoods,

Getting ready to submerge yourself into a geothermal pool.

Ringed by ferns and sweet fennel,

This hidden pond is located deep in the woods and you are the first person in many months to have found this secret oasis.

The morning air is cool as you ease your body into the welcoming warmth.

Feel the water flow over your feet and climb your calves and knees.

Now submerge your hips and torso.

Let the minerals in this bath begin to work their magic.

There's a natural stone ledge for you to rest on as the soothing water covers your chest and climbs your shoulders and neck.

Your muscles soften,

Each submerged knot of tension melting into a completely relaxed state.

It's very quiet in this thickly canopied forest and the only thing you hear now is the cadence of your own relaxed breathing.

Feel your belly gently rise and fall and notice the sensation of your breath as it flows through you.

Soak in the comfort of this natural sanctuary and simply watch your breath.

You will be taking your spirit on a unique journey but the warmth and peace you're now feeling will stay with you during the entire meditation.

And though we're heading into a new experience,

You'll be safe,

Always tethered to your body through your breath.

It's time to leave the spring and head into the woods.

As you dress for the walk,

Let your rested mind consider the concept of change as it pertains to your life.

Perhaps you've been contemplating making a change,

One you think would bring greater happiness.

Or maybe change has been thrust upon you and you're trying to navigate the disruption this has caused.

Take some time to acknowledge how change is part of your world right now.

The sun dappled trail is easy to follow and as you move along,

A couple of squirrels scurry across the path and you hear the staccato chirp of chipmunks scampering through the ferns.

One song swirls down from above as the wrens and thrushes soar among the highest limbs.

A deep sense of peace and purpose infuses this utopia that has endured throughout the years.

Gently bring your focus back to that notion of change and take note of what happens in your body as you give it your attention.

Disparate feelings arise when you think about actually implementing or accepting the change.

It's okay if disparate responses happen to coexist.

You might feel elated and scared at the same time.

Just bring some clarity to the predominant emotions.

A misty fog has crept into the forest,

But if you look just ahead,

You can see the path bend between two of the red kings.

For thousands of years,

These gentle giants have stood their ground,

Tested by extreme conditions and threats from the outside world.

Through it all,

Their quiet but determined equanimity helped them survive and thrive.

Let yourself be enveloped by the wisdom of these masters of time.

Let yourself be enveloped by the wisdom of these masters of time.

Let yourself be enveloped by the wisdom of these masters of time.

As you weave your way through,

The trees and canopy begin to thin,

Allowing more light to stream into the woods.

The fog has dissipated and the wind has space to flow and cool.

Take a deep breath.

Can you smell a hint of ocean in the air?

You've walked a good distance.

Listen,

You can hear the waves breaking against the rocky coast.

The path has opened into a small field high above the rugged coast,

Perched on a bluff that overlooks the sparkling ocean.

Unlike the muted quiet of the dense forest,

This clearing is alive with activity.

The natural world is buzzing and flitting among colorful blooms of buttercup and meadow sweet.

On the edge of the field,

A young stand of redwoods provides a lovely shady spot for you to relax.

As you soak up the beauty of this meadow,

Reflect back to some of the more difficult feelings that came up when you thought about making that change in your life.

Giving it your attention again,

You may experience a visceral reaction.

Try to simply notice what's happening in your mind and body without adding extra judgment.

Oftentimes the strongest emotions associated with making a change will be fear-based.

If anxiety or fear is an aspect of your reaction,

Take a closer look.

Is it simply a vague unease?

See if you can go a little deeper and put words to exactly what you're feeling.

In your mind's eye,

Hold the dark worry you've unearthed and locate its nexus in your body.

Focusing on that spot,

Allow your fear to take the translucent shape of a bird,

Letting it rise up and out of you.

The once amorphous bird now stands just a foot away as a red-winged blackbird.

Go ahead and extend your arm so she can perch in your hand.

Her prickly feet shift around the soft center of your palm.

The fractal reminder of the discomfort she caused caged inside you.

Now that you see this bird in the light of day,

You realize she is just a small creature,

Intending no harm,

But certainly not meant to be fluttering around your soul.

The shocking patch of red on each of her black shoulders reminds you that she is no stranger to entanglement with your heart.

When you lift her to eye level,

The little bird shares a soulful look to communicate that long ago she was invited in to protect you.

But now you both know it is time for her to leave.

The wind has shifted direction and there's a stronger breeze moving from the bluff toward the sea.

Raise your arm high,

Release her to the sky and watch,

Until she is just a tiny dark speck on the bright and distant horizon.

The wind has shifted direction and there's a stronger breeze moving from the bluff toward the sea.

As you rise from your shaded seat and step into the sunshine,

There's a newfound lightness in your soul.

Transformation is as constant as the tides and now as you head back into the mysterious,

Majestic redwoods,

You are free to change and participate in the flow of universal evolution with a little less fear in your heart.

Thank you for walking with us.

If you enjoyed this experience,

And maybe even found it transformative,

Please check out other adventures in guided meditation at Sonic Peace.