0:00 Researchers at Queen's University found the average mind produces over six thousand thoughts in a single day.0:14 In our last time together for Gentle Nightfall, we sought a place of deep rest.0:25 Tonight, we prepare the way for that peace by gently setting down the weight of those thoughts.0:38 So let’s begin.0:40 Find a position that feels like rest for you.0:46 Lying down, or seated comfortably.0:50 Allow your eyes to close whenever you feel ready.0:57 Bring your awareness to the room around you.1:03 Notice the temperature of the air on your skin.1:09 Hear the quiet sounds, near and far.1:14 You are here, in this space, at the end of this day.1:21 Now, bring your awareness to your body.1:26 Feel the points of contact...1:30 where your body meets the chair, or the bed.1:36 Feel the gentle pull of gravity.1:40 There is nothing you need to do.1:45 Nothing to hold up.1:47 Let yourself be supported.1:51 And now, notice your breath.1:54 Just notice it, without any need to change it.2:01 The gentle rise on the inhale.2:05 The soft release on the exhale.2:09 Each breath is a wave, washing in...2:14 and washing out.2:16 Inhaling calm.2:18 Exhaling the day.2:20 As you settle here, I want you to imagine a small, clear stream.2:28 It flows gently through a quiet forest.2:34 The water is clean and slow-moving.2:38 You are sitting comfortably on its bank.2:44 The air is soft and still.2:47 The day you just lived is now behind you.2:53 It was filled with moments, conversations, feelings...3:00 those six thousand thoughts.3:04 One by one, we are going to let them go.3:09 As a thought from the day enters your mind...3:15 perhaps a task left undone...3:19 or a word someone said...3:23 see it clearly.3:25 Acknowledge it without judgment.3:29 Now, imagine placing that thought onto a single leaf.3:36 And gently placing that leaf onto the surface of the stream.3:44 Watch as the current catches it.3:48 Slowly...3:50 gently...3:51 it drifts away.3:53 Downstream, and out of sight.3:57 It is not gone forever.4:00 It is simply gone for now.4:03 Another thought arrives.4:07 A feeling in your body...4:10 a tightness in your shoulders...4:14 a worry about tomorrow.4:17 See it.4:18 Place it on another leaf.4:22 And let it go onto the water.4:25 Watch it float away.4:28 There is no rush.4:30 The stream is patient.4:33 It can hold everything.4:37 One leaf at a time.4:39 One thought at a time.4:42 Letting each one go.4:45 Watching it drift.4:47 Creating space.4:49 Continue this for a few moments in silence.4:55 Placing and releasing.4:58 Watching the stream carry the day away.5:03 The stream of thoughts begins to slow.5:08 The leaves become fewer...5:12 further apart.5:14 Perhaps the water is now clear.5:18 Just the gentle sound of the current.5:23 Rest here in this quiet.5:26 In this stillness.5:28 This is the space between the thoughts.5:34 The peace that is always available, just beneath the noise.5:42 Slowly, gently, let the image of the stream dissolve.5:49 Bring your awareness back to your breath.5:54 The simple, steady rhythm of your body at rest.6:01 Feel the weight of your body again.6:05 Notice the quiet in your mind.6:09 When you are ready, you can begin to wiggle your fingers and toes.6:18 Bringing gentle movement back into the body.6:24 There is no hurry.6:27 The day is now complete.6:30 You have set down what was heavy.6:34 You have cleared the way for rest.6:39 The work of the day is done.
