So Let’s Begin…

WE ARE ALL CONNECTED SLEEP MEDITATION SCRIPT

Take in a deep breath,

and as you exhale,

become aware of your body

as it lets go and relaxes.

 

LONG PAUSE

 

Notice your shoulders

melting in relaxation

and your neck

as it softens comfortably.

 

LONG PAUSE

 

Bring your awareness

to your back 

and feel it opening

and any knots or tension

unraveling.

 

LONG PAUSE

 

And now, become aware

of your lower body,

your hips, legs, and feet

as they release 

and unwind from any tension.

 

LONG PAUSE

 

Take a moment,

and indulge in feeling relaxed

and centered with a feeling

of peace both inside and out.

 

LONG PAUSE

 

Now, see if you can imagine

standing in the center 

of an old, native village. 

 

PAUSE

 

And all around you

there are huts

with dried palm fronds

as roofing,

and the buttery

scent of fry bread wafts 

through the air.

 

PAUSE

 

As you stroll 

through the village,

you notice women

with copper skin 

and black eyes

that sparkle with stories.

 

PAUSE

 

The women glow 

in skirts and ponchos

woven with intricate, banded designs

in bright colors that call out to you.

 

PAUSE

 

After a moment, 

you see the women gather 

in a circle

sitting on the ground,

each with 

sweetgrass, palm fronds, and pine needles.

 

PAUSE

 

In unison,

the women pick up

the materials,

and begin weaving them together.

 

PAUSE

Like a symphony,

their hands sweep in and out,

and around the basket

bringing colors and

geometric designs to life.

 

PAUSE

 

The women talk,

weaving connections 

in the baskets

and connections

between themselves.

 

PAUSE

 

While watching the women wave,

a woman

with lively eyes

and a soft smile

sees you 

and beckons you to 

join the circle.

 

PAUSE

 

You plant yourself 

next to her,

and stare in wonder

at the partially made

basket before you.

 

PAUSE

The woman takes 

your hands,

and together,

you begin dancing

with your fingers,

moving in and out 

and around the basket.

 

PAUSE

 

Colors like berries appear

in the basket:

reds, blues, and blacks.

and diamonds and triangles

come to life with each row 

of weaving.

 

PAUSE

 

While weaving,

daughters of the women 

in the circle come

with plates of piping hot fry bread

stuffed with meat and sweet fillings.

 

PAUSE

 

You take a bite

that melts in your mouth,

and a harmony of tart and sweet flavors

plays on your tongue.

 

PAUSE

 

As you delight in your fry bread,

you notice the circle changes,

and the women come closer 

to you and your basket.

 

PAUSE

 

Hands reach out 

and take your basket,

adding layers of weaving

and passing it on 

to the next pair of hands

like a tribal dance.

 

PAUSE

 

When the basket 

circles back to you,

there is one row of weaving 

left to add,

 

PAUSE

 

Gingerly, you thread 

the strands of sweetgrass

into the basket,

and when you finish,

one of the women

takes the basket 

and finishes the edges.

 

PAUSE

 

When the basket is complete,

it is gently placed 

in the center of all the women,

and each one gives it a blessing.

 

PAUSE

 

Take a moment and

thank the women of the tribe

as you ready to leave.

 

PAUSE

You begin to walk away

when the woman with the lively eyes

who helped you start the basket

hands the basket to you.

 

PAUSE 

 

Gratitude swells within you,

and you thank the woman,

who seems to understand you.

 

PAUSE

 

The woman nods

and returns to her tribe,

and you leave with the basket,

feeling in the depth of your soul,

that every strand

woven into the basket

Is a connection with these women.

 

PAUSE

 

As you leave,

you hear a whisper in the breeze

that affirms all of your thoughts,

a whisper that touches your soul and says,

“We are all connected.”

 

NAMASTE