Yoga Nidra: Wondrous Love

Rest in this Yoga Nidra rooted in John 12, inviting a felt sense of God’s love through breath, body awareness, and the imagery of anointing. Release your burdens, rest in silence, and remember that you are loved by God.

For more on the theme Wondrous Love, see page 100 of With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson.

Transcript

Settle Into Reclined Rest

Scripture Reading From John 12

Intention: I Am Loved By God

Guided Body Awareness

Anointing Imagery And Release

Silent Breath Counting Practice

Closing Prayer And Reentry

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hi, I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. If you're new here, I'd love to tell you that you can find more podcasts, more prayers, more meditations at exploringpeace.com slash podcast. You can also be part of the community that supports this podcast by buying me a cup of tea. You can find that at exploringpeace.com slash community. My books and other resources are at whitney rsimpson.com. Now, since you know all of those details and who I am, I'd love for you to take a moment to trust my guidance, to settle into a posture that is reclined and restful. You might find yourself on the floor, on a yoga mat, you might find yourself in the bed or on a couch. You could even practice this reclined in a chair, resting somewhere safe and quiet. Wherever you find yourself, begin to settle in, turn your phone on, do not disturb, and begin to notice your breath. Today's practice is a Yoga Nidra meditation or yogic sleep. You'll simply follow the sound of my voice. Before we begin, I'd like to read for you John chapter 12, verses 1 through 3 in the message. Simply listen to these words. Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus' feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house. Mary offers her genuine and selfless devotion to Jesus. She gives without reservation. She shows us what it looks like to not worry about the world, but draw close to our Creator, to offer and receive God's wondrous love. So as you rest in this reclined posture, I invite you to claim the intention by saying to yourself, I am loved by God. I am loved by God. Allow your breath to be smooth and steady. Allow your awareness to travel to your heart space. In your mind's eye, see your heart center being filled with God's love. Maybe that looks like a color, an image. Maybe it's simply a feeling. With your awareness at your heart center, imagine being filled with God's love. Your awareness will travel from your heart throughout your body. As you hear a body part named, simply allow that part of yourself to soften and relax, to rest in the love of God. Awareness begins at your heart space. Let your awareness travel to the top of your head to the bridge of your nose, your mouth, chin, cheeks, ears, awareness travels back to your heart space, and now to your right hand, right elbow, right shoulder, heart space, left hand, left elbow, left shoulder, heart space, awareness travels throughout your chest, core, and belly, heart space. Awareness travels to your right foot, right knee, right hip, heart space. Awareness travels to your left foot, left knee, left hip, heart space. Awareness travels to the back of your body. Awareness travels to the front of your body. Awareness returns to the heart space within you. In this relaxed posture, resting in God's love, imagine the most beautifully and wonderfully scented oil you can bring to mind. Maybe it's something like rose oil, frankincense, geranium, lavender. Allow the imagined scent to travel in your nose and fill your being. In this relaxed posture, in your mind's eye, imagine that Jesus were to sit at your feet right now. That he is holding the most wondrous oil to anoint, cover, and bless your very feet. Imagine in your mind's eye you see Jesus gently anointing your feet with oil. Appreciate his tender touch and welcome his love and grace. Release yourself fully and completely into the care of Jesus and into the earth beneath you. As you rest in this place with Jesus, allow yourself to let go. Let go of any burdens, worries, or doubts. Offer them to Jesus as He sits with you now. Take a moment to bask in the warmth and the love that surrounds you because God's presence fills every cell of your body. In this moment, today, bringing peace, comfort, and healing. Say to yourself, I am loved by God. In the next few moments of silence, allow your breath to be smooth and steady. It may help you to stay present and relaxed, imagining Jesus at your feet. Or simply allow yourself to soften your mind, soften your breath, relax in the quiet. If you need an anchor, begin counting your breaths. Beginning at ten, inhale, exhale. Nine, inhale, exhale. Count backwards to one in the silence, or simply rest with Jesus. Hear this prayer, repeat it silently if you wish. Holy and loving God. Thank you for your wondrous and abundant love. Thank you for pouring your love upon me this day. Thank you for filling me with your love. May I never take it for granted. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Allow yourself to bring your awareness back into your present space. If it's time to drift off to sleep, let yourself just drift off to sleep. If it's time to return to your day, take a moment, roll over to your right side, pause. When you're ready, press yourself up to seated and bring your hands to your heart space. Connect with that love that God is pouring upon you this day. May you feel it, may you sense it, and may you share it. Thank you for exploring the gift of God's peace with me. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.