← Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Loading summary
Transcript2 lines
- [00:00]
A
This episode is brought to you by Facebook. So you were scrolling on Marketplace and there it was, the bike you'd been searching for. You sent a message and it turned out the seller was super chatty, kind of funny, and an avid cyclist. The next thing you know, you're in a cycling crew. Well, a community cycling group. The thing about Facebook, you might find more than what you're looking for, from a browse to a bike ride this summer. Find more on Facebook.
- [00:32]
B
Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas and I'm your host. Thanks so much for being here tonight. Krista has written one of her trademark cozy tales for us, set amidst the splendor of nature and wildlife. I'm delighted to be reading it for you all. Shortly we'll visit a unique cosy accommodation tucked away in a mystical forest. You'll wander through some of the lushest greenery before arriving at a castle like tree house. It is here where you will spend the night listening to the soothing sounds of nature all around. So let's settle down together, ready to listen and enjoy a good night's rest. It really is special to have you here trusting in this show and us folk involved in creating it, to be by your side at some of the most stripped back, quietest moments of your life. And I think it's so wonderful that we've built a community here. And whether your involvement is in a more active way, where you may be commenting on episodes, interacting with our team or your fellow listeners, or you might just be a passive listener who comes here simply to enjoy the stories and the opportunity for good rest that they hopefully bring. And it got me thinking that though we're all part of various communities, be it in the areas we live or with our individual interests and hobbies, our beliefs, workplaces or unions, but this community, the Get Sleepy community, is the only one that will exclusively bond all of us together. Precisely, us folk that come here perhaps every night or just occasionally to enjoy a peaceful, natural way to fall asleep. It really is such an honor to be the voice that welcomes you here every time you press play. And with that being said, let me now welcome you to ensure you're nice and comfortable, to close your eyes if you're yet to do so, and to enjoy a slow, full breath in and a gentle, steady breath back out. Continue to unwind and settle in whatever way works best for you. And in the meantime, imagine a sprawling green forest. It's gently lit by hazy sunlight and a partly clouded sky. This is where our story begins. Your path is delicately shaded by draping green foliage. The tree leaves sway on mossy branches that connect to strong trunks. You notice that the trees are covered in thick pieces of bark that protrude out slightly. The trees of this particular forest are at least hundreds of years old, and you feel a sense of enchantment as you begin your walk. Tracing your fingers over a few pieces of bark, you note that they feel rough and cool to the touch. You adore how this forest is covered in mossy boulders, long thin grass and majestic green foliage. A shade of green you are sure you have never seen before. You can hear a stream in the distance, just out of reach, and you hope that your path will bring you alongside its flowing waters. The earth below you is soft and the grass is bright and dewy. It moves weightlessly like planted feathers. When you bend down, you can see speckles of raindrops gently resting on the foliage. The footpath you will follow to the treehouse today not so apparent. Thick patches of grass intertwine with the heavy, elaborate foliage. You think it is beautiful and you appreciate the sense of adventure that the path will bring you today. As you look out in front of you, a soft, faraway light breaks through the forest canopy. It shines down majestically and you can see a delicate mist floating in its brightness. This sight will will guide you today all the way to the tree house. As you walk, your feet press into the doughy soil. It feels healthy and fertile beneath the soles of your shoes. Looking around, you notice that the land here is not that heavily forested. Instead, it is thickly covered in lush vegetation. There are aromatic wild herbs, dewy moss covered patches and overgrown shrubbery. The spaces between the trees allow the mellow sunlight to cast down on the grass. The entire place has a fantastical storybook aura surrounding it. Now. Your foot crunches down on a hollow tree branch laced with pale green lichen and moss. As you look down, you notice a snail safely making its way out of the end of the branch. It flaunts a spiraled, vibrant colored shell and two long tentacles that stand tall as if reaching up towards the top of the trees. You smile as you watch the snail slowly scoot further away into the forest. As you continue on, you reflect that today's weather is ideal for a walk in nature. And your clothes are just right too. Your long sleeved outfit hugs your body comfortably while providing you with the perfect balance of breathability and warmth. A little later, you stop walking for a moment, feeling drawn to the Natural sounds around you. As you close your eyes, your mind drifts towards whatever you hear. First, it is the flowing water. You feel yourself standing by the stream, watching the tiny cascades caused by wet rocks jutting out of the water. Then you hear the repetitive sounds of crickets. You can imagine a cricket hopping over your shoe, jumping its way to some mysterious destination. Then you focus, listening carefully to a song from a bird. You hear it cooing in a nearby tree. With your eyes still closed, you cannot see it. However, you imagine it as a soft blue bird with a wide belly that sticks out over its yellow feet. Finally, you envision yourself soaring above the trees, admiring this lush wilderness from a rare perspective. Then, for a moment, you focus on your breathing, really allowing yourself to be mindful of in this enchanting forest. After some time, you slowly open your eyes. And right away they find the glowing sun rays that continue to guide you. Your feet press into the ground, step by step, naturally and with ease. Your body moves around mossy boulders and tall grass. You hear the roar of the flowing water coming closer and closer. Though you have never been to this place before, it feels like your body knows it well. It sways through the foliage effortlessly, like a dance you memorized long ago. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see the stream curving through the earth. It is a small stream, perhaps just a few feet wide, and would only reach your calves if you stood in it. Nonetheless, it is beautiful, bringing life to the forest and acting as a passage for tiny fish and insects. The stream is crystal clear. You look down at a school of thin, wiggly fish pushing through the water. Just beneath them are light grey and white pebbles. You watch the fish flow together like a team, some pebbles tumbling with the movement of the running water. For a moment, you wonder where the stream is taking the fish. Your eyes follow the water until a bend in the stream carries it behind the trees and out of sight. You turn your head back towards your guided path and slowly continue your pleasant walk. Along the way, you dodge stones, tree roots and fallen branches that cover your path. Soon, your eyes are drawn to the base of a tree trunk. Something red catches your eye. Sprouting from the ground, you see a long cream coloured mushroom stem with a red rounded head dotted with white speckles. You lean in to take a look, and you almost feel like you can see the mushroom growing slowly, expanding and reaching towards the sky, as if you were watching a time lapse. What a wondrous forest, you think. Then you realize that this mushroom is not alone behind it you see a smaller one just starting to poke its head out from the surface of the soil. A little clump of dirt still clings to its delicate red top. You feel a sense of enchantment seeing these fairy tale mushrooms, and you imagine yourself as part of some folklore that is still being written. Of course, you are visiting a treehouse in the forest. And what could be more storybook than that, you think to yourself. You learned about this treehouse from a friend of a friend who lives in a nearby cabin with her husband. Here in the forest, the couple spends their days foraging for mushrooms and berries, growing herbs and vegetables, and relaxing to the sounds of nature around them. They like to travel into town once a week to see friends and to stock up on fresh flour, cheese and whatever else they may need. Other than that, they are almost completely self sustaining. They gather water from an old stone well and they have a fireplace for when the temperatures drop. Both can even make their own clothing from wool. In their spare time, they write short stories, which gives them enough income to get by. And with this seemingly uncomplicated lifestyle, they are happy. You admire the couple's simple way of life and you hope that your stay in the treehouse will give you a deeper glimpse into the beauty of it all. Now, taking one last look at the forest mushrooms, you continue on your way, still guided by the rays of sunshine poking through the tall trees. Your path remains peaceful for some time. You hear birds tweeting in nearby trees, leafy branches rustling in the wind, and the sound of your shoes against the soft forest floor. Then a fluffy grey rabbit hops across your pathway. The friendly animal turns to look at you with curiosity before happily carrying onwards in pursuit of berries and water. Moments later, a wooden sign catches your attention. It reads, welcome to the tree house. Your eyes follow past the sign swiftly revealing a wondrous view. The treehouse is like the castle of this forest, perched tall and proud. It has an outstretched balcony that looks out over the majestic terrain. The sunbeams hazily shine through the tree leaves, creating a halo like glow around the structure. It is the start of the golden hour, the brief but magical time just before sunset. The treehouse itself has been meticulously carved for from natural wood and it blends in among all the brown and green nature that surrounds it. To your surprise, you see that the treehouse is divided into two sections. First, there is a spiral staircase that leads up to the main floor. From there, a second staircase bulges out, ascending to a cozy section that looks perfectly shaded and cool. Perhaps that is where you will find your bed for the night. Now you are eager to get a closer look at the tree house. You follow a short pathway that leads you to the bottom of the spiral staircase. Looking around, you notice more of those red topped mushrooms along with some little yellow ones. They are scattered on either side of the staircase and around the trunk of the tree. For some reason, they bring a happy smile to your face. Now that you have a clearer view of the tree, you see that it is quite wide. You appreciate its large size, giving it the strength to keep this beautiful structure so safe and secure. The earthy smell of bark catches your nose as you look up to admire some of the tree's details. It is patterned with fuzzy moss that leads up through the treehouse and towards its leafy crown. Past the tree, you notice that the sky has darkened. The hazy sun rays have now disappeared and you are left with the deep hues of a finishing sunset. So after a few moments, you begin to explore this magical tree house. You take your first step onto the staircase and it greets you with a gentle creaking sound. With your right hand on the rail, you glide your way up to the main floor. A soft wind catches your skin as you ascend. Once you reach the final step that leads onto a wooden balcony, you feel a familiar tingling sensation which you recognize as excitement. The balcony curves around the tree, protruding out and creating a castle like display. Just as you step onto it, large round fairy lights flicker on. You realize that they must be motion censored and with the night quickly approaching, they are just what you need. Each light creates a captivating yellow glow as you move over to the balcony's edge. With your hands on the wooden guardrail, you look down at the earth below, feeling like the ruler of of this lovely little forest. It looks just as dreamy from this perspective, you think to yourself. And in that moment you see another rabbit and its baby hopping down the pathway below. You watch their fluffy tails bounce until they retreat into the darkness beyond. Then you swing back around to face the treehouse. Its brown features blend into the massive trunk of the tree. In front of you is a door large enough for two people to squeeze through. With curved windows on either side. You see green moss and tangly vines hanging off the roof. They dangle down slightly, covering the right side window. How enchanting, you think. Now your curiosity has really come alive. You cannot wait to go inside and explore even more of the tree house. You move forward a few steps and your hand reaches the bronze doorknob which is Designed in the shape of a tree branch. As you pull on the knob, the door slowly opens. A waft of orange and rosemary fills your nose. The interior of this floor has a woven rug in neutral colours taking up the centre of the room. There are windows all around and a comfy sofa rests against one of the wall. You see a small counter to the left. There is a basket on it that has been filled with fruit. You also spy fresh bread, olive oil and tomatoes, along with a wooden cutting board for preparing meals. From there, your gaze drifts to a quaint table with two chairs on either side. In the center is a rustic vase filled with dried rosemary and flowers. You move closer to smell the delicate beauties in the vase. Carefully, you lean over, close your eyes and breathe in the sweet, earthy aroma. It instantly brings a smile to your face. You are really looking forward to preparing breakfast in this cozy space tomorrow morning. But now you are beginning to feel sleepy. And just as you thought, the bed must be in a different part of the treehouse. So it's time to ascend the next staircase. You lightly retrace your steps and close the door behind you. Facing the treehouse, you follow a short, sturdy staircase to your right. From there, you are led onto a small balcony. By the door, you see a little woven mat that reads Home away from Home. Your feet press into it. As you go to open the door, you notice it has the same tree branch handle that on the main floor. When you open it, you are greeted with such beauty that can only be described as magical. Fairy lights line the walls like party decorations, pulsing in a warm yellow glow. The bed has white curtains with matching silk bedsheets and pristinely fluffed pillows. The pure white colours contrast beautifully with the dark wooden walls and floor. There isn't much in the room beyond the bed. Two side tables, a quaint bay window with cushions and leafy ivy plants. It looks like a cosy cottage that has sprouted straight out of a tree. In this moment, you decide that you love it here. Now it is time for bed. You push open the windows that are on either side of the room to create a cool wind tunnel. To help you stay comfortable all night long, You pull off the small backpack you've been carrying and slip into your most comfortable sleepwear. After brushing your teeth, you move over to the bed, pull back one section of the luxurious canopy and slide yourself in. Soon enough, you are nestled under the covers. After fluffing the pillows to your liking, you pull the covers up to your shoulders. Now, on your back, you look up to discover that there is a skylight at the top of the roof. It is pointed and large enough to see out clearly. Close to the window, you can see a leafy tree branch gently swaying. And just beyond that, you see the stars, as vivid as you've ever witnessed them from the comfort of a bed. Dozens fill the sky above you. Some twinkle nonchalantly while others stay still, shining bright and proud. Suddenly, a shooting star runs across the width of the window. Feeling like a child, you quickly close your eyes and make a little wish. Now you are ready for a peaceful sleep in the forest tree house. You keep your eyes closed and feel the cool breeze as it caresses you. You hear the distant sounds of nighttime insects outside. All of these sensations are so soothing. And before you know it, your breathing deepens and you begin to drift into a dream of this enchanting forest and another day of exploring its rich beauty. But before that, it is time for a good night's rest.