0:00 The average person has over six thousand thoughts every single day.0:09 In our last time together, we invited the body to unwind and release the day.0:19 Tonight, we turn that same gentle attention toward the mind, and the thousands of thoughts it has carried.0:34 So let’s begin.0:36 Find your way into a comfortable position.0:41 Perhaps lying down in your bed, ready for rest.0:48 Allow your eyes to gently close.0:52 Bring your awareness to your breath.0:57 You don’t need to change it in any way.1:02 Simply notice its rhythm.1:06 The gentle inhale...1:09 and the soft exhale.1:11 Feel the weight of your body.1:15 The points of contact between you and the surface beneath you.1:24 The back of your head on the pillow.1:29 Your shoulders, your back, your hips...1:34 heavy and supported.1:37 Let’s bring a gentle awareness to the body, starting at your feet.1:46 Notice your toes.1:48 Invite any tension in your feet and ankles to soften and release.1:57 Allow that softness to travel up into your calves...2:04 and your knees.2:06 Letting go.2:08 Bring your awareness to your upper legs.2:13 Your thighs.2:15 Allowing them to feel heavy and completely at rest.2:22 Notice your hips, your stomach, your lower back.2:28 Feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly with each breath.2:37 Let a wave of ease move up through your chest...2:43 and across your shoulders.2:47 Letting the weight of the day melt away.2:52 Your arms are heavy and relaxed.2:57 Your hands and fingers are soft.3:01 Allow your jaw to be soft.3:05 Unclenched.3:06 Let your tongue rest comfortably in your mouth.3:12 The tiny muscles around your eyes...3:17 releasing.3:19 Your forehead...3:21 smooth and clear.3:23 Your whole body...3:26 here.3:26 Breathing.3:28 At ease.3:29 Now, let’s bring that same gentle awareness to the mind.3:36 As you rest here, thoughts will naturally continue to arise.3:45 There is no need to stop them.3:49 The practice is simply to observe.3:53 Imagine you are sitting beside a slow, gentle stream.4:01 Each thought is like a leaf, floating on the water's surface.4:09 A thought about tomorrow may appear.4:14 See the leaf.4:16 Acknowledge it.4:18 And then watch as the stream gently carries it away.4:25 A memory from earlier today might surface.4:31 Another leaf.4:32 Notice it without judgment.4:36 And then let it float on by, out of sight.4:42 You do not need to follow the leaves.4:47 You do not need to analyze them.4:51 Your only task is to watch them drift past.4:57 Some thoughts may feel more persistent.5:02 Like they want to stay.5:06 That’s okay.5:07 Just see them as they are...5:11 and gently return your attention to the stream.5:17 To the quiet space between the thoughts.5:23 With each leaf you allow to float away, you are creating space.5:32 Space for quiet.5:34 Space for stillness.5:36 The mental clutter of the day is being gently cleared.5:44 Leaving behind a feeling of calm awareness.5:50 Rest in this stillness now.5:53 This quiet space you have created for yourself.6:00 There is nothing left to do.6:04 Nowhere else to be.6:06 Just this breath.6:09 This peace.6:10 You have let go of the day.6:14 You are ready for rest.6:17 Stay here for as long as you wish, drifting easily into sleep.6:25 May your rest be deep and your peace be true.
