Northwest Rainforest

Welcome to the Northwest Rainforest. I'm so glad you've joined me. It's a lush temperate rainforest that spreads out for miles in every direction. I've visited many times. And with each visit, I'm always surprised at what I discover. We've arrived at the perfect time. The daffodils and bluebells under the forest entrance sign are just beginning to open. And there's a warm breeze in the air that wraps all around us. It looks like the rain has settled, but if it starts back up again, the canopy of trees above us will serve as an umbrella. There aren't too many visitors today, so we'll have that place to ourselves. And perhaps if we're quiet enough, we'll encounter some unexpected wildlife along the way. Before we enter the rainforest, I always like to start with a wind down. Tonight's wind down is a visualization. So when you're ready, let's begin. So no matter what's been going on today, whether it's been a busy day or a calm one, this is an opportunity to put everything down, to let go of any inner chatter, and find a place of rest in both the body and the mind. So first, get yourself comfortable in bed, just taking a moment to pause and be still. And when you're ready, taking a big deep breath, breathing in through the nose, and out through the mouth. And as you breathe out, allowing thoughts to come and go, now imagining a steady flow of warm sunlight, flowing down through the body, dissolving any tension, any discomfort, as it begins to fill the body, starting with the toes, moving up through to the feet and the legs, being filled with sunlight. The qualities of warmth, space, and ease, as it continues to travel up through the body, up past the waist, to the back and the stomach, it's as though it washes away any discomfort. It continues up through the chest and the back, into the shoulders, and down the arms, all the way down to the hands and fingers. A sense of relief in the body and stillness in the mind, as it continues to travel up through the neck and the throat, into the head and face, all the way to the very top of the body, until there's nothing other than that sense of stillness remaining. And now, just gently bringing the attention back to the body. Walking up a steep incline, you're looking down at your feet to avoid tripping over roots and rocks. Halfway up the hill, the rain becomes heavier, making the forest leaves tremble and shine. When you crest the hilltop, you stop for a moment. You're feeling a little bit tired or perhaps, just tired of walking. So when you first catch a glimpse of a structure in the forest, you're not quite sure it's actually there. You stare down the gentle hill, to find a small cabin made entirely of glass. It's a simple rectangle with a roof...