Towering Trees

"Now, as you find yourself settling, perhaps feeling the gentle support beneath you, or noticing the subtle shift of the air around you, I invite you to simply allow your attention to drift, to wander, much like a lazy cloud on a summer's day. There's no need to 

do anything, merely to be. And as you are simply being, you might notice your eyes... perhaps they're already closed, or maybe they're just on the verge of fluttering closed, as if they know, instinctively, that this is a time for quiet introspection, a time for the inner landscape to come into focus.  That's right. And with each gentle breath, a breath that you don't even have to think about, just allowing it to flow in, and then out, slowly, easily, you might begin to notice a very subtle softening around your eyes, a letting go of any tiny tensions that might have gathered there. 

And as those breaths continue, perhaps a little deeper now, or maybe just a little longer, on the third breath, you can inhale, and hold it... just for a moment, noticing the quiet fullness within you, and then, slowly, oh so slowly, exhale.  Just letting go. Allowing everything to soften, to ease.  You see, the mind has a wonderful way of knowing what it needs, even before we consciously recognize it. And sometimes, what it needs is simply to step away from the familiar, to embark upon a journey not of miles, but of imagination.

Today, your subconscious mind, that deep, wise part of you that knows so much more than your conscious mind can ever comprehend, is ready to lead you to a place of profound tranquility.  A place that is uniquely yours. And as you continue to breathe, easily, effortlessly, I wonder if you can begin to imagine... a vast, serene lake. Not just any lake, but a lake nestled deep within an ancient, whispering forest. This isn't a place you've necessarily seen with your waking eyes, but it’s a place that feels inherently right, intrinsically safe. 

Picture the sunlight, dappling through the canopy of towering trees that stand sentinel around this magnificent body of water. The leaves, a rich tapestry of emerald green, some perhaps kissed with hints of autumn gold, rustle with a gentle, hushed murmur, a sound that seems to cradle you in its embrace.  It’s a sound that whispers of timelessness, of nature’s quiet wisdom. And as you perceive this, however you perceive it—whether through a vivid image, a subtle feeling, or perhaps just a knowing—you begin to feel the cool, soft earth beneath your feet. Not the hard, unyielding surfaces of the everyday world, but a yielding, supportive ground, covered in a carpet of verdant moss and fallen leaves that cushion your steps. 

You are drawn closer to the edge of the lake, feeling a sense of anticipation, a gentle pull towards its calming presence, much like a tired traveler drawn to a cool, clear spring.  And as you draw nearer, you notice the water itself. It's so incredibly still, reflecting the sky above like a perfect mirror, a deep, tranquil blue, sometimes with streaks of fluffy white clouds drifting slowly by.  This reflection, so clear, so undisturbed, seems to invite your own inner stillness to emerge, to quiet the ripples of daily thought.

Perhaps you can hear the faint lapping of the water against the shore, a soft, rhythmic sound, almost like a lullaby. Each gentle lap seems to echo a deeper relaxation within you, becoming a repeating signal for your entire being to simply… let go. You might even feel a soft, cool breeze, carrying the clean, earthy scent of the forest, the subtle fragrance of pine and damp soil, washing over you, gently caressing your skin, encouraging you to release any lingering tensions. 

As you stand by the water’s edge, you find a fallen log, perhaps covered in that soft, vibrant moss, a perfect place to settle down. You ease yourself onto it, feeling its ancient solidity beneath you, knowing that this place is utterly safe, utterly private. And as you do, you become aware of a wave of warmth, a gentle, soothing warmth, beginning at the very top of your head, as if the soft sunlight filtering through the trees is concentrating its gentle energy there. This warmth begins to slowly, slowly, flow downwards, like a comforting current, through your scalp, softening your temples, easing any tension in your forehead. 

It flows around your eyes, those eyes that have already become so comfortably heavy, releasing any last trace of strain. Down through your cheeks, softening your jaw, allowing your tongue to rest gently in your mouth. The warmth continues, flowing down your neck, easing every muscle, releasing any stiffness, any rigidity that might have gathered there. And as it moves, you might find yourself focusing on any areas where you held tension, knowing, with an effortless knowing, that this warm, relaxing sensation will simply carry it away, dissolving it into nothingness. 

Now, this wave of soothing relaxation spreads across your shoulders, releasing them down and back, effortlessly, as if they are sighing with relief. It flows down your arms, through your elbows, your forearms, your wrists, and into your hands, each finger becoming loose and limp, completely relaxed. It’s as if your hands are becoming wonderfully heavy, a pleasant, comforting weight. 

The gentle current of relaxation continues its journey, flowing into your chest, softening any tightness, allowing your breathing to become even more rhythmic, more profound. And then, into your abdomen, releasing any knots of tension, allowing your stomach to feel soft and at ease. Down, down, it flows, through your hips, your thighs, your knees, your calves, until it reaches your ankles and finally, your feet and toes. Every part of your body now feels wonderfully warm, deeply relaxed, and profoundly at peace. It’s as if you are enveloped in a protective cocoon of comfort and calm. 

And as you rest here, by the edge of this serene lake in the heart of the whispering forest, you become acutely aware of the stillness, the quietude that surrounds you. It’s a stillness that isn’t empty, but full, rich with the subtle sounds of nature—the distant call of a bird, the gentle rustle of leaves, the soft lapping of the lake. And as these sounds, or the absence of them, wash over you, you feel yourself drifting deeper and deeper into this profound state of relaxation. Nothing else matters right now, nothing at all, except this quiet, calm, and exquisitely peaceful feeling. There’s absolutely nothing for you to do, nowhere to go, no responsibilities, no expectations. Just this wonderful, peaceful moment, soaking into every fiber of your being. 

The very air around you in this forest, by this lake, seems to vibrate with serenity, and as you absorb this stillness, this natural beauty, you can feel any remaining tension, any lingering anxieties, any worries or stresses, simply draining away from you. Easing away, as if they are simply dissipating into the vastness of the forest, becoming so far away, almost insignificant. You are relaxing more and more, going deeper and deeper into this comfortable, hypnotic state. 

You notice, perhaps, how the trees around the lake seem to reach majestically towards the sky, their branches forming intricate patterns against the blue. And as you allow your gaze, or your inner perception, to follow these towering forms, you become aware of a gentle slope nearby, leading down. A slope that reveals... five ancient, moss-covered steps, descending further into an even more secluded part of this tranquil forest, closer to the very essence of the lake's peace.  Just five simple steps down.

And I invite you to come with me, in your mind, as I count these steps. Five... gently descending, feeling yourself grow calmer with each downward movement. Four... going deeper and deeper into the quiet heart of the forest. Three... down and further into the tranquil embrace of this sacred place. Two... almost there, a profound sense of ease washing over you. One... and you have arrived, reaching an even deeper level of hypnosis, a place where your subconscious mind is fully aware, fully receptive, knowing all that there is to know. 

And know this, deeply and profoundly: you can return to this very place, this serene lake in the ancient forest, any time you wish. Any time, with the simple power of your mind, a power that you are now rediscovering. All you need to do is... relax.  And to relax, all you need to do is take three long, deep breaths. Hold each one for the mental count of five, truly feeling the stillness within. And as you slowly exhale all the air from your mouth, just think, in your mind, the words: 'deeply relaxed.' 

And you will find, effortlessly, that you will become deeply and comfortably relaxed. And as you become deeply and comfortably relaxed, you'll remember these exquisite feelings of peace and tranquility, this still, wonderful, calm place, deep within you. And as you remember these feelings of peace and calm and tranquility, you will instantly feel that you're back here, by this wonderful, private lake, with the gentle sounds of the water resonating softly around you. 

In a moment, I will begin to count the gentle lapping of the lake's water with you, and with each sound, with each number, you will find yourself sinking more and more deeply into this profound relaxation.  Ten... feeling how exquisitely relaxed you feel. Nine... drifting deeper and deeper down into pure, effortless relaxation.  Eight... seven... feeling so utterly relaxed, so wonderfully at ease. Six... five... halfway there, a profound sense of calm enveloping you. Four... feeling the relaxation flowing effortlessly through every part of your being. Three... nothing to do, nowhere to go, just this moment of perfect peace.  Two... feeling so very relaxed, so wonderfully serene. One... total, complete, serene relaxation.