Yoga Nidra: Renewed

Need some refreshment or a transition into more profound rest? Settle into a reclined position and soak in the promises of Isaiah 43:19 as you discover the practice of Yoga Nidra.

Transcript

Introduction to Exploring Peace Meditations

Speaker 1 0:04

Hi, welcome to Exploring Peace Meditations. I'm Whitney and I'm so glad you're here. Begin by finding a reclined posture as you settle in and get comfortable, I'll remind you. You can find more meditations like these at exploringpeacecom. There's a community of supporters who make this place possible. If you'd like to find out more about that, visit exploringpeacecom slash community. You can find my books and other resources at WhitneyRSimpsoncom. Now, are you settled?

Speaker 1 0:52

Today's meditation, this time of yoga nidra or yogic sleep, can be practiced any time of day. Today's theme invites you into a season of renewal. Begin by listening to Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 19. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. See, I am doing a new thing. What new thing is God doing in you?

Speaker 1 2:20

Let us begin by noticing your breath, relaxing your body, softening your eyes. Your only task during this time is to follow the guidance of my voice. Try to stay present, try to be still. Allow God to do a new thing as you rest. Bring to mind the imagery of fertile soil in the springtime. Flower makes itsking through the ground. Imagine the sun shining down upon the earth, awakening the possibility of plant life, new, new life, growing life. The leaves unfurl toward the light. The light pours onto the ground, onto the earth. Sun upon your body. Imagine the sun warming you from the top of your head to the bottoms of my voice.

Settling Into a Comfortable Space

The Theme of Renewal

Speaker 1 5:29

Bring awareness or light to the body parts that are named. You may imagine God shining light upon this part of you. You may just bring your inner mind's eye to that body part, sensing it, noticing it, seeing it. Bring awareness to the top of the head, forehead, space between the eyes, right eye, right ear, right ear, chin, left eye, left ear, chin, throat… Chest…. Awareness travels down the right shoulder, right elbow, Right hand Side body, right thigh, knee, lower leg, right foot, left shoulder, elbow, left hand Side body, left hip, thigh, knee, lower leg, left foot. Awareness travels to the back side of the body, inhaling through the nose, moving through the lungs deep into the diaphragm. Watch the breath exit the body. Awareness moves with each breath. Awareness moves with each breath. Begin to count backwards from 10 to 1. Inhale 10, exhale 10. Inhale 9, exhale 9. Follow your count until you reach 1 or the numbers fade away. Begin again at 10 or simply rest in the quiet. I'm going to take a deep breath.

Speaker 2 12:06

Thank, you, you no-transcript.

Speaker 1 17:19

A cleansing, washing away stagnation, old, washing away stagnation, old. The rain falls as the sun shines. There's a sense of freshness with the spring rain, of clarity, of newness. The rain falls upon the earth, the flower continues to grow.

Speaker 1 18:13

See the flower begin to bloom, to reach for God's water and God's sun and to feel the renewal, the new life, the, the vitality. Say to yourself I am renewed, I am renewed, I am renewed. A new thing. Now it springs up. Allow yourself to perceive and see the new thing God is doing in you. Rest in that, as you claim your intention, I am renewed. Take a full breath in and a long breath out.

Visualizing New Life in the Spring

Speaker 1 19:57

Creator, we give thanks for new life, for fresh, clean rain, for your warm sunlight, For the good things you are doing for us in this season. May we see them, may we feel them, may we know them. Because of you, in your holy name, we pray Amen. If you're transitioning to a time of rest, give yourself permission to release the whole body and soften into your space, resting in God's presence and the good things God is doing in you right now. If you're transitioning back into your day, slowly roll off to your side, take your time. When you're ready, you'll press up to seated, gently open your eyes, stretch your arms and welcome the new thing God is doing in you. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.