Yoga Nidra: Taste and See

Ever feel like your inner light has dimmed? That your spiritual "saltiness" has lost its flavor? 

This restorative Yoga Nidra practice offers a sacred pause to reconnect with your Creator as you taste and see the goodness of God within and around you. For more on the theme, Taste and See, see page 54 of With God in Every Breath.

Transcript

Introduction to Yoga Nidra Meditation

Speaker 1 0:01

Hi, I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today we'll pause for a Yoga Nidra. These are the most listened to, replayed and requested meditations on the podcast and meditations like these by joining our community at exploringpeacecom. The theme of today's meditation Taste and See comes from my new book With God in Every Breath. You can find my books at WhitneyRSimpsoncom.

Speaker 1 0:48

If you haven't already, make sure you are completely reclined, fully supported. Maybe cover your eyes with an eye pillow or soften the lights in your room. Allow your breath to be steady and your body to get out any last minute wiggles. Listen to this passage as we begin, from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5. Jesus said Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt, seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? Here's another way to put it. You're here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world. You are called to be salt and light and yet when we're tired, weary or worn out, we can lose our light. We can lose our salt.

Becoming Salt and Light

The I AM Statement Practice

Speaker 1 2:34

Today, let us taste and see God's goodness, recharge our spirits, minds, hearts and bodies simply by being. If you haven't already soften your eyes, close them completely. Allow your breath to deepen just a bit. Allow your exhale to lengthen just a bit. I am salt and light. Now create your own I AM statement. It might be something like I am whole. I am whole, I am healed, I am present, I am touched by God. Allow a single I AM statement to settle upon your mind and silently repeat that to yourself three times I am. We claim the goodness of God as we rest in God's presence for refreshment, for rejuvenation, for rest.

Full Body Relaxation Journey

Speaker 1 5:00

Allow a softening to cover your entire body, as if a blanket were coming upon you from the bottom of your feet all the way up Softening, covering, relaxing, keeping you safe. Let that softening move through the inside of the body, relaxing the heart space and the belly, the lungs. Allow that softening to settle upon the back of your body, sinking into the surface beneath you, as if you are being held by God. Allow your awareness to travel to the bottom of your feet. Relax all ten of your toes. Soften the tops of your feet. Relax your right ankle, right shin, right calf Knee, thigh, Right hip Thigh. Relax your left ankle, shin, calf, left, knee, thigh, hip. Soften both buttocks, pelvis, lower back. Soften both buttocks, pelvis, lower belly. Relax your right side body, right upper arm, elbow Hand, right fingers, left side body, upper arm, elbow, forearm, left hand Fingers.

Speaker 1 9:24

Awareness travels to your core. Soften your chest, throat, Throat, shoulders, right ear, left ear, lower lip, upper lip, teeth, tongue, nose, nose, right cheek, left cheek, left eye socket, right eyebrow, left eyebrow, forehead, third eye center, the entire scalp, the whole head, the whole head. Awareness travels to the breath Like an ocean wave. The breath enters the nose pauses, exits the nose pauses. Follow the breath, counting backwards from Inhale 10. Exhale. Thank you you.

Sacred Visualization Exercise

Returning to Awareness

Speaker 1 13:55

Now allow your mind to visualize yourself in each of these locations. See yourself filled with God's light and goodness at the ocean. See yourself in a garden. See yourself on a mountain. See yourself beside a lake. See yourself refreshed, rested, healthy, whole at peace, filled with light, love, compassion and grace. See yourself. See yourself right now, rested, relaxed in the presence of God. See yourself in your own sacred space, wherever that may be. Return now to your I am three times. Allow a full breath in and a long, extended breath out To return to your day. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Hold on to I AM To continue resting. Follow your breath. Repeat I AM God of healing and wholeness, god of salt and light. Thank you for being the salt and the light for our lives. May we reflect that for all to taste and see. In your holy name we pray Amen Until next time. May God's peace be with you.