Jim Fazackerley

Lagunitas, CA, United States

Jill

Greenville, SC, USA

Susi

Catalunya, Spain

English

Join me on another meditative journey, this time to a beautiful desert at sunset. We'll soak in the tranquil sights, sounds, and smells of an evening in the landscape of the American Southwest. This is one in a series of visualizations based on brain retraining principles, helping you drop into a space of calm and regulation. Enjoy!

Brain Vacation- Desert Evening

Hello my friend, and welcome to another brain vacation. I can't wait to take you on this journey with me. And remember, as you settle in, these next few minutes are just for you. So feel into the surface underneath you. Maybe that's a chair, or a bed, or the floor. Feel it supporting you, your body stable and safe. Let your shoulders soften, release your jaw and forehead, and allow your belly to relax. Notice the quality of your breath, the sensation of air at your nose, or the movement of your chest. Let yourself land here, and let's begin our travels to the southwest, to enjoy a beautiful evening in the desert. See yourself standing here, in the final faint glow of the sunset. See the fading streaks of crimson and orange along the horizon, and how the sky shifts into a deep indigo as you look up. You notice the stars are bright and crystal clear tonight. You can see the silhouettes of towering cacti standing tall against the fading light, their arms reaching upward as if in reverence to the sky. See how the land stretches out in every direction, like an endless sea, with the far off hills standing guard. The crescent moon is rising, casting a silvery glow that bathes the landscape in a soft, otherworldly light, transforming the harsh desert into a place of tranquil beauty. The shadows of the desert lengthen and blend into one another, creating a landscape of mystery and depth. Feel the radiant heat of the red rock and sandy soil under your feet, still warm from the day. See the ground around you, spotted with tufts of wiry grass and clusters of prickly pear. As the temperature begins to drop, you feel a gentle breeze, carrying with it the faint sweet fragrance of desert blooms, of sun-baked sand and sagebrush. Breathe in this clarifying evening air, feeling it sweep through your body and mind, carrying away any stress or worry. Feel the fresh oxygen travel into the depths of your lungs, into your very cells. Take in the smell of this desert evening, the sense of cleansing and calming, for a moment now. You notice the chorus of crickets and cicadas, the gentle sound of wind moving through, and perhaps the howl of a coyote in the distance. Let this symphony drown out any unhelpful thoughts or ruminations, and just close your eyes and listen to the aliveness of this desert landscape. You feel the cooling air on your face and neck, feel it sweep through your hair. You tuck your hands into the sleeves of your warm sweater, cozy and soft. Take another moment here, watching the sky darken, the stars sparkle, and breathing in the scent of sand and sage. Feel your feet grounded underneath you, grateful, alive, present. Nowhere you need to be, nothing you need to do. As you feel ready, start to invite your awareness back into the space around you, and into your body. Notice again the surface supporting you, and the sensation of breath at your nose. Open your eyes and give yourself a little stretch, and remember you can always take this sense of clarity and calm with you through the rest of your day. Thanks so much for joining me on this brain vacation. Take good care of yourself, and I'll see you next time.