Are you longing for some rest? Psalm 4:8 says, "I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, Lord, let me live in safety."
You're invited to picture a serene space where relaxation is not only welcomed but encouraged. Now settle in to a reclined posture as you open yourself up to rest in God's presence. Prepare for a journey of peace, serenity, and tranquility, and let's explore the gift of God's peace with this Yoga Nidra meditation.
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Hi, this is Whitney. You're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Exploring Peace offers you an opportunity to draw close to God and to explore the peace of Christ in your life. What does peace feel like, look like? To me, peace is a practice, and so, to find peace in the midst of our everyday, ordinary life, we practice. One of those practices that helps me discover peace is yoga nidra. You can return to this practice as often as you wish. Today's practice invites us to deep rest and relaxation. Are you open to receiving rest in your life? Are you willing to Turn your phone on, do not disturb and take a little time just for you? Today's meditation will end in silence, so I'll share with you now that you can find many more meditations, prayers at exploringpeacecom, and you can join our community at exploringpeacecom slash community. You can always find me at whitneyrsimpsoncom. I'm glad you're here.
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If you haven't already find a reclined posture, this might be on your bed or your yoga mat. Allow your body to settle into your space. Take a moment to close your eyes. Take a few purposeful, deep breaths to allow your body to settle into rest. Allow your arms to be open by your side, your legs slightly apart. Make sure that your head is comfortable, neck supported. Now allow your body to get 10% more comfortable. This practice of yoga, nidra, or yogic sleep, is a journey to deep rest and relaxation, allowing you to recharge, reset and find rest in God. Allow yourself to maintain awareness as you listen to the sound of my voice. Now take a moment and acknowledge that you long to receive rest.
Speaker 1:
Listen to Psalm 4-8 in the common English Bible. I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, Lord, let me live in safety. I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, lord. Let me live in safety. Safety. I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, lord. Let me live in safety. Follow my voice as we progressively scan the body, bringing awareness and mindfulness to each body part as you hear it named. Try to remain as still as possible, relaxing any tension or tightness in the parts of the body.
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Bring your awareness to your right hand thumb. Feel a sense of warmth and heaviness there. Move your awareness to your right index finger. Allow the awareness to travel to the middle finger, ring finger, little finger. Now sense your entire right hand relaxing. Shift your awareness to your right wrist, forearm Elbow, upper arm, right shoulder. Feel a deep sense of relaxation flowing through your entire right arm. Now bring awareness to your left hand thumb. Feel a sense of warmth and heaviness there. Move your awareness to your index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger. Now sense your entire left hand relaxing. Shift your awareness to your left wrist. Feel a deep sense of relaxation flowing through your entire left arm.
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Bring your awareness to your forehead. Notice any tension or tightness. Imagine a wave of relaxation sweeping across your forehead, smoothing out worry lines and wrinkles. Feel your forehead becoming smooth, soft and relaxed. Now bring your attention to your eyes. Invite your eye muscles to relax completely. Take a go of any tension around your eyes. Allow your eyes to rest deeply in their sockets. Move your attention to your cheeks and jaw. Feel the tension melting away with that wave of relaxation. As your cheeks become soft and your jaw relaxes, your mouth slightly opens, your tongue rests naturally. Feel your lips and mouth relax. Release any tension in your face. Release any tension in your face. Release any tension in your face.
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Adjust your focus to your breath. Observe the natural rhythm of your breath. Feel the breath flowing in and out of your nostrils With each breath. Imagine a sense of calm and tranquility washing over you With each breath. Be open to letting go With each breath. Be open to receiving rest. Observe the natural rhythm of your breath for the next few moments of quiet, without changing or shaping it. Simply feel the breath flow in and out of your nostrils, allowing God's peace and calm to wash over you.
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Now imagine yourself in a peaceful and calm place, maybe at the ocean, in the mountains, in a garden, on a trail, in a sanctuary. Where do you rest? In God's peace? Bring that place to mind, see it in detail, notice the colors of your surroundings, notice the sounds in this place, notice the smell, notice how your body feels in this safe space with God. And now hear the passage again as you rest in your mind's eye in this safe space I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, lord, let me live in safety. I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, lord, let me live in safety. I will lie down and sleep in peace because you alone, lord, let me live in safety. Feel a deep sense of God's peace and restfulness enveloping you now.
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Feel a deep sense of God's peace and restfulness enveloping you now Feel a deep sense of God's peace and restfulness enveloping you. Now Feel a deep sense of God's peace and restfulness enveloping you now.
Speaker 1:
Slowly begin to deepen your breath, feel your body lying on the mat or the bed or the floor beneath you. Take a moment to acknowledge the sense of deep rest and relaxation your body feels right now as we conclude this yoga knee dress session. Carry this feeling of rest, of relaxation, of tranquility and peace. Carry it with you into your rest or into your sleep. If you're preparing for sleep, allow your eyes to remain closed If you're preparing to continue on about your evening or your day, carry this state of restfulness with you as you slowly open your eyes and return to the space you're in. Most Holy and Loving God, thank you for the gift of rest. Help us receive rest and rest in you. In Christ's name, we pray Amen. Until next time. May God's peace be with you.