Yoga Nidra: A Holy Vessel

Allow your vessel to settle into the earth with this Yoga Nidra. With each exhale release, yield, let go. For more on this theme theme, see page 40, of With God in Every Breath.

Transcript

Introduction to Yogic Sleep

Speaker 1 0:01

Hi, I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. You're invited to find a reclined posture, one in which you can rest and settle for the next 20 or so minutes. The goal as we begin is to yield, to allow your vessel to settle into the earth and not give much effort beyond that. You may find this time of yoga, nidra or yogic sleep helpful in an afternoon or in the evening before bed. Wherever you are, try to make sure you're not disturbed for the next bit and be as still as possible. Allow your body to soften into the surface beneath you With each exhale. Release, yield. Let go, take a moment before we begin and just give thanks for the sacredness of your body, this holy vessel through which you experience the world. Your body is a miracle of God's creation. May this time offer it refreshment and yourself. I am a holy vessel. I am a holy vessel. Vessel, I am a holy vessel. Allow gratitude to move from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes. This divine creation, you, your body, is home to your soul. Let us find a centered place in which we can. I am a holy vessel. Allow your feet to simply rest. They may flop out to the side or turn in. Make sure your head feels supported. You may wish to have an eye covering or simply close your eyes. Allow your next inhale to travel through your nose. Expand your full, entire core. As you exhale, let your body release into the earth.

Speaker 1 4:37

Awareness travels to the space between your eyebrows. Eyebrows soften and relax across your forehead. Relax your ears, eyes, cheeks, eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, throat. Awareness travels to your throat. Soften the inside and outside of your throat. Awareness travels to the right side of the body. Relax your right shoulder, right elbow, right hand Palm Fingers, top of the hand. Soften your right side body. Right hip, right hip, right thigh, knee, shin, calf, right foot sole of the foot Toes. Travels to the left side of the body. Soften and relax your left shoulder, left elbow, left hand palm fingers, left side Palm Fingers, left Side Body, hip, thigh, knee, calf, shin, left foot, soul of the left foot Toes.

Breath Counting and Visualization

Speaker 1 7:50

Awareness travels to the back of the body. Soften and relax the entire back of the body. Awareness travels inside the body. Soften your face, chest, belly, soften and relax the front of the body down into the rest of the body With stillness and ease. Follow your breath in through your nose, expanding the full body. Follow your breath out of the nose, deflating the full body With the smoothness of an ocean wave. See the breath moving in and out of your holy vessel. Count your next 10 breaths, starting at 10, inhale, exhale, continue counting from 10 to 1, until your numbers fade away or you reach the number one.

Speaker 1 12:04

I'm going to take a deep breath, thank you. Sea in your mind's eye… a beautiful sunset Sea in your mind's eye, a loving smile. See in your mind's eye a gorgeous tree. See in your mind's eye the perfect color. See in your mind's eye you, a holy vessel, rested, refreshed, relaxed. You, thank you.

Ocean Waves Meditation

Speaker 1 13:42

I'm going to take a few more minutes to take a deep breath. So so, bring to mind the imagery of ocean waves, slowly, purposefully in and out toward the shore. Feel your breath moving purposefully in and out of your body, filling your lungs, filling your cells, filling your entire being with God's purposeful breath in your holy vessel. Welcome the breath like an ocean wave, smooth and steady, in and out. Say to yourself my body is a miracle. I will treat my body with the kindness and respect it deserves. I am a holy vessel. I am a holy vessel, soul. Allow yourself a full breath in and a long exhale out. We'll close our time with this blessing and you may return to your day or drift into sleep.

Closing Blessing and Resources

Speaker 1 18:21

Faithful God, thank you for your breath, for your healing touch, for restoration and hope, for helping each of us. Care for the holy vessels that you give us to live. Life every single day, life every single day. May we receive your healing touch, welcome it, savor it and enjoy each moment in this holy vessel. In your name we pray, amen, Amen. You can find me anytime at WhitneyRSimpsoncom For more yoga classes community, additional podcasts. Reach out and find us at ExploringPeacecom slash community For more on this theme. A Holy Vessel see page 40 in With God in Every Breath. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.