Yoga Nidra: Finding Inner Stillness

Let's embark on an intimate journey with God, discovering a tranquil garden of peace and stillness within yourself.  You will be guided into a deep state of relaxation as we welcome God's loving presence and immense grace into our hearts. Together, we learn to let our breath ripple like a serene pond, and gradually bring a conscious awareness to each part of our body, surrendering into the tranquil stillness within us. We feel God's compassion fill us, as we rest in a sanctuary of peace and restoration.

Chapters

• 0:01 Exploring Peace and Stillness With God
• 14:56 Inner Stillness

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Hi, this is Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Go ahead and find a reclined posture for today's meditation. As you settle in, I'll share a little bit more about this podcast and space. Our Yoga Nidra episodes are the most popular on the podcast. Many of you listened to these over and over again to find rest and restoration in your body and spirit. It's such an honor to journey with you to explore the gift of God's peace. So today I'd like to remind you that you can always connect with the community that supports this space at exploringpeacecom slash community and you can find me at whitneyrsimpsoncom. By now.

Speaker 1: 1:06

I hope your body is settled. You can begin to find your breath, noticing the inhalation and exhalation. In today's meditation we will explore inner stillness and rest with God as we draw close to our creator, seeking peace and renewal. Allow your arms to be by your side, palms facing up, feet slightly apart, neck supported. You might like to use an eye pillow to cover your eyes. Try to find a place of stillness that feels comfortable and safe. Take a deep breath in through your nose and, as you exhale, release tension on purpose. Allow your breath to find its natural rhythm and, with each breath, relax just a little bit more Now. Welcome God's gentle, loving presence around you, a presence that offers solace and tranquility. In God's presence. We welcome comfort and peace here. Matthew 11, 28 in the common English Bible Come to me all who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Allow these words to resonate within your heart space, knowing that God longs to offer you rest and stillness in this very moment.

Speaker 1: 3:59

Now imagine you see a beautiful, serene garden, a place of beauty, peace, stillness, calm, tranquility, renewal. See yourself in this beautiful garden. Notice the lush greenery, the colorful flowers and feel the gentle breeze brushing against your skin. You notice your favorite flowers, the scent, the beautiful and vibrant colors. As you slowly walk through this garden, you feel God's divine presence growing stronger with each step, embracing you with loving care. In the center of the garden there is a peaceful oasis, a crystal clear pool of water. As you approach the pool, you notice your reflection on the surface. This reflection is not only your physical form. It represents your inner self, your soul and your connection to your Creator. It's a beautiful sight. As you gaze at your reflection, invite God's presence to fill your heart with this overwhelming sense of peace.

Speaker 1: 6:18

With each breath. Feel God's peace expanding within you, calming your thoughts, soothing your emotions. Any restlessness or inner turmoil is swept away by God's love, leaving only peace. Now bring your awareness back to your breath. Imagine that your breath is like a gentle wave, softly and slowly rippling across the surface of the pond. Each breath takes you deeper into relaxation, closer to the heart of inner stillness. You are held by God's grace and compassion as you release your whole self into this place of stillness, with God Allowing your body to remain as still as possible.

Speaker 1: 8:16

Follow the sound of my voice and relax each body part as it's named. If it's helpful to you, you can tighten that body part as it's named and then relax If it feels more helpful. You could simply see in your mind's eye that part of your body, or even repeat the body part in your mind. Simply allow your presence to stay with the sound of my voice. Bring your awareness to the top of your head. Relax your forehead. Soften your eyes. Allow awareness to travel to the ears, cheeks, jaw, throat, shoulders, chest, belly, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, calves, feet, right arm, right hand, left arm, left hand. Relax all 10 toes. Relax all 10 fingers. Relax the back of the body. Relax the insides of the body. Relax the top of the body. Relax the whole body. Relax the whole body. Relax the whole body. Allow your breath to move like a ripple on a pond. Feel the breath move like a ripple on a pond. Allow your body to remain as still as possible.

Speaker 1: 13:44

Take the next few moments to bask in this divine stillness, feeling the profound connection with God, our source of peace and rest.

Speaker 1: 14:56

Let us return to our intention to live, to live, to live, to live, to live, to live.

Speaker 1: 15:20

Let us return to our intention from Matthew 11, 28. Come to me all who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. You are at rest, god, for this inner stillness that you have discovered today, your gratitude may simply be expressed with the next deep breath that you take With a heart of gratitude. Begin to slowly and gradually become aware of your physical body and the space you are in. Feel the weight of your body on the bed or ground or mat. Begin to slowly deepen your breath. You may choose to hold your next inhalation for a moment and then release a long exhale through your mouth, wiggle your fingers and your toes, stretch or yawn, roll to one side and, as our practice concludes, press yourself back up or recline and rest as you drift off to sleep. Creator guide, thank you for helping us find inner stillness with you. Continue to give us peace and rest In your name. We pray Amen Until next time. May God's peace be with you.