← Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
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Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and Premium members. If you'd like to listen ad free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for seven days by following the link in the episode notes. Now a quick word from our sponsors. I'd like to thank our newest sponsor on the show, Nature's Sunshine. You guys know I struggle with my sleep and in turn I often find myself fatigued throughout the day regularly reaching for pick me ups like coffee or snacks. That's why I'm really looking forward to trying Brainedge, the clean plant powered drink mix from Nature's Sunshine that combines hand harvested yerba mate with powerful nootropics to support focus, memory and cognitive performance. Brainedge enhances focus and clarity with nootropic botanicals that help you concentrate for longer periods of time and you don't get the usual crash after the effects of caffeine wear off. Ingredients like Bacopa and Ginkgo support memory and learning whilst the wild harvested yerba mate provides natural caffeine which without the jitters, don't fight through feeling foggy and lethargic, ignite your mental performance. With Brain Edge, Nature Sunshine is offering our listeners 20% off your first order plus free shipping. Just go to naturesunshine.com and use the code GETSLEEPY at checkout. That's code GETSLEEPY ALL as one word at Nature's Sunshine. Welcome to Get Sleepy where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. I'm Thomas, your host. Thank you so much for tuning in tonight. I'll be reading you the second episode in a three part series. The stories follow a character named Mattie as she enjoys a sailboat cruise in the Aegean Sea, the waters between Greece and Taqiyeh in the Eastern Mediterranean basin. The first episode came out last Monday and you can go back and enjoy it anytime if you're yet to hear it, but it's not essential to have heard that one before listening to tonight's so don't worry if you've not yet. The series was beautifully written by Layla and the third and final part will be with you this time next week. Now my friends, the day is done and it's time for a good night's rest. So let's make space for that in both body and mind. Begin by making yourself comfortable, adjusting anything you need to reach optimum comfort and just spend a moment mentally scanning your body, checking in with each section as you go and noticing any tension or any excess energy that may be present. If you do come across any areas of tension, just spend a moment reassuring yourself that you can now rest, that your body can release the energy that it's holding on to, and just breathe this sense of calming reassurance into each of those areas. As your mind focuses on scanning through the body, forming more inner awareness, it too should begin to slow down and align with the stillness of the night and the opportunity to rest. There is no more that needs to be done today, nothing left to solve, to complete, to even consider. You've done what you can today and the best thing you can do now for both yourself and anyone that relies on you during your day to day life is to rest peacefully and deeply. Our story will help you to do just that, taking you away from thoughts of the day to blissful scenes and settings on the waters of the Aegean. So take one more deep, reassuring breath, absorbing calm and peace as you inhale and then release it, letting go of any last bits of tension or excess energy. And now let's close our eyes and travel together in our imaginations to the southern seas of Taqiya. This is where our story begins it Mattie rocked slightly as she surveyed a variety of tempting foods spread out before her. She was standing in the small cabin of a boat looking at an impressive breakfast buffet provided by the crew. Her gentle rocking motion was due to the movement of the boat which was anchored in a protected cove. It drifted lazily offshore in the waters of the southern Aegean Sea, near where the Aegean flowed into the wide Mediterranean. Mattie was on her second day of a sailboat cruise around a large bay along the coast of Turkiyeh. Here in the cabin, a long counter separated a ship shape sitting area from a narrow boat's kitchen. On the counter stood the mouthwatering buffet prepared by the first mate who doubled as chef. It was a traditional Turkish breakfast. Pastries of paper thin filo dough were filled with cheese and meats pretzel like rings of bread covered in sesame seeds and a stack of little pancakes stood next to tiny bowls of fruit preserves, honey molasses and clotted cream. Platters of feta and other simple cheeses were accompanied by dishes of black and green olives. A tray of fresh fruits lay neatly alongside sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. Scrambled eggs bedecked with tomatoes and herbs completed the food options, but the delicacies were far from over. On the low table was a tray with three pots on it. One pot held strong black tea called chai. Here Another pot held strong Turkish coffee, and the third pot contained hot water so guests could water down the tea and coffee to their preferred strength. A sugar bowl and a collection of tiny glasses stood nearby. These small, curved glasses were the traditional way to drink tea and coffee here. Next to these were juices, the familiar breakfast time orange juice along with sour cherry juice. The cherry juice seemed to be a Turkish staple, as Mattie had seen it everywhere she'd gone in the country so far, and it was absolutely delicious. Mattie filled a plate with a little bit of everything, then helped herself to a tiny cup of tea and a tall glass of cool cherry juice. Setting down her plate, she picked up the beverages and carefully climbed the few steps out of the cabin up to the deck. She put the glasses down on a big table which dominated the rear deck of the boat, then returned to the cabin for her plate and utensils. Settling comfortably on a cushioned bench along the table, she leaned back against the cabin and enjoyed the view. They were anchored just a short way from a rocky shore, close enough to swim easily to land. Scrubby bushes covered hills behind the shoreline, and clear water lapped softly against the rocks. Between the land and the boat. The water shone deep turquoise under a bright sunny sky which stretched out blue and cloudless beyond the hills. Already heat was rising off the stones on shore, but a breath of wind kept it comfortable on the boat. She watched the shoreline lazily, sipping her tea and enjoying the subtle motion of the boat. Then a slight movement and a flash of white on shore drew her attention. She looked more closely and saw a goat, white and bearded, with shaggy legs and stubs of horns. It stood still, outlined by the dusty green shrubbery and looked back at her. And just like that, Mattie felt her imagination transported back thousands of years to the times of the ancient Greeks. How easily she could picture go goat herders along these shores wearing togas and laced up leather sandals, caring for goats just like this one. She found her ears straining to hear the sounds of a flute as she imagined Pan, the ancient Greek God of pastures, flocks and shepherds lurking behind a bush nearby. He had been said to have the legs, horns and ears of a goat and to play a flute like instrument called a panpipe. But she was quickly brought back to the present when a couple of other guests joined her at the table. The long wooden table could easily seat all 12 passengers on the cruise. It was shaded from the Mediterranean sun by a canvas canopy overhead. Mattie chatted with the other passengers about their travel plans and the day ahead. The captain had told them that they would motor to another cove after breakfast where they could go ashore and visit some ancient ruins, as well as hike up to a viewpoint over the bay. As they talked, she enjoyed her breakfast. She ate slowly, appreciating the delicious foods and the delightful balance of such a well rounded morning meal. After a time, the various guests finished their breakfasts and wandered off. There were just a few places to go. Passengers could descend down into their personal cabins to change, shower or rest to the front of the boat to lounge on the sun deck and take in the view. Or maybe to have a read. Or they could go into the water for a swim. Mattie opted to head forward to the front deck. There, sun cushions lined the top of the cabin, creating a lounge area where she could relax with a book. Overhead, an awning cast welcome patches of shade. The captain told them they had about an hour before leaving for their next destination, meaning Mattie had enough time to read for a little while and then still fit in a refreshing swimming and read. She did, although she often found herself looking up just to daydream and stare out across the water at nothing in particular. When she did, the scene wavered and blurred in her dreamy eyes until it looked to her like a watercolour painting with just the essence of turquoise sea meeting blue sky, all washed over with the lemony yellow of the morning sun. At last, though, she bestirred herself to take a dip. She'd had the foresight to put on a bathing suit under her sundress, so she just pulled the dress over her head and left it beside her book. Mattie then walked over to a movable staircase on the side of the boat. She descended to the bottom step and softly dived into the clear water. Its coolness flowed around her, rejuvenating her whole body. Surfacing, she breathed in deeply, then struck out towards shore in a smooth freestyle stroke. Just a handful of steady, strong pulls brought her to the shallows where she rose to her feet. She stepped gently onto the beach and felt its smooth pebbles under her feet. Looking around, she saw an olive tree growing a few feet above the tideline. Behind the olive tree, a hint of a trail wound up through the bushes, leading away into the low trees of the hillside. There was a temptation to follow the trail and see where it led, but she knew that exploration was waiting for her in the next cove. And there was a sweetness too, in allowing this path to retain its mystery. Turning instead, she waded back into the water and swam again towards the boat where she could See the crew preparing to raise the anchor. As she swam, she enjoyed the feeling of buoyancy in the salty water. She moved easily, almost effortlessly through the clear sea and she felt that she could keep going for miles. But she was back at the stairs in just a few moments. She climbed out of the water, the warm midday air welcoming her back. A second later, a rippling breeze touched her wet skin and made the hairs on her arms rise in tiny goosebumps. But the hot rays of the sun soothed them in an instant. She spread out her soft fluffy towel on a cushion in the sun and lay down, basking in the feeling of the warm rays falling on her sea cooled skin. She let her eyes drift closed. The engine came alive. Then Mattie lies still, listening to its gentle rumble, feeling the sunshine drying the droplets on her arms and legs and sensing the soft resistance of the cushion below. They were on their way to another lovely spot and she had nothing to do but allow herself to appreciate this moment. Mattie wasn't sure how long she lay there, drifting pleasantly in her sensations. She didn't doze off and yet she lingered on the edge of sleep, dreamily enjoying the emptiness of a quieted mind. After some time her skin was dried and warmed and she lazily rolled over into a nearby patch of shade and opened her eyes. Looking around, she saw that they were entering a larger cove this time. There were more boats here, but it was still quiet and mostly empty. The landscape seemed a tad greener and more lush, a little less sunbaked and scrubby than in the last cove, although she suspected their previous harbour was just on the other side of this hilly spot of land. The deep green of the shore divided the turquoise water from the cerulean sky. It created an undeniable photo worthy tableau. But Mattie didn't rush for her camera. She knew these images would remain with her, safely rooted in her mind and memory. And then they were slowing to a stop, the water sloshing mildly around the hull as the boat pulled up opposite the deep green shore. The anchor was sweet, splashing down, the chain rattling out, and they were once more at rest. Mattie stood and made her way towards the stern or back of the vessel. There, directly behind her boat, a few dozen yards away, she saw the faded stones of an ancient ruin. The once building stood in the shallows just offshore of a beach, the bottom few feet of its walls underwater. She knew that the sea levels had risen here since April, ancient times. And the rising water combined with erosion and changing shorelines meant that structures once located near the waterfront, were now partly or wholly underwater. She had known that ruins such as this one exist, and yet the unexpected sight of the eroded stone walls rising out of the tranquil water right there in front of her stirred her deeply. She felt it calling to her, the living presence of the past embodied in solid stone, steeped in hidden stories. The captain told them that he would soon take passengers ashore in the boat's dinghy and they could hike up the hillside where a lookout point offered a wonderful view. But Mattie didn't feel like waiting, so she asked the captain if she could swim ashore ahead of time to explore the ruin herself and join the rest of the group when they landed. He agreed, and soon she waded out into the water. It wasn't long until she felt her feet touch the sandy bottom of the COVID near the beach and the building. She rose to her feet and walked over to explore the walls. Up close, the age old stones were rounded and smooth from millennia of wall waves and weather. The walls were intact enough to maintain the layout of the building, but they were ragged and uneven, worn in places where stones had been carried away by water or perhaps by locals looking to build something new at some, some point during the many centuries since the building's ruin. Here and there, moss or a hardy little plant poked out between the upper stones of the walls. Waterlines meandered across the lower stones at various heights, a record of the coming and going of the tides, the seasons, and the years. Mattie moved slowly towards the structure, pulling her legs through the seawater as it swirled out of her way. She felt her feet sinking into the watery sand with each step. She entered the roofless structure at a small opening and walked through a narrow area that must have been a hallway or perhaps a pantry. The ragged walls reached above her head in places, while she could see over them in other spots where they'd worn away more. The water was about a foot deep here. Underneath it, the stone hallway was covered in a layer of thick, soft sand. After a few feet, the hallway turned and opened into a room that was fairly large, although it was hard to judge its actual size since the lack of a ceiling made it feel bigger. Here, less sand seemed to have accumulated, resulting in the sandy floor falling away at an angle and the water deepening. In fact, it was deep enough to swim in. Mattie crouched and pushed off into the water, gently paddling around. It was like being in a swimming pool. A swimming pool encased in ancient walls. The water was as clear as a pool, too, and it rippled with her motion. Each time she moved her arms and legs, a ripple danced over the water, out and away from her, splashing softly onto the surrounding stones, turning over onto her back and kicking slowly across the expanse. Mattie wondered what room she was swimming through. Was it a former kitchen, perhaps a living room, a storeroom, or even a prayer room? What went on behind these walls in past ages? Who walked where she now floated? And what did they say, think and do? The existence of the past, right here in this spot, hung palpably in the air. She felt it, and she felt the presence of the stories that had been hidden by the passing years. A wave of gratitude surged over her, acknowledging how lucky she was to be here. She floated on her back for a moment more, contemplating this place and the beauty of these sorts of softly crumbling walls. A vine grew from the top of one ragged wall and trailed over the side where it sprouted bright purple blue flowers, popping vividly against the grey stone. At last, though, she slowly rolled back over to her front and swam gently towards a doorway. She was able to swim through this too, but then she stood up. She had entered a smaller room or hall, and more sand had accumulated on the floor here again, making the water shallow. She explored the rest of the ruins, several rooms, then made her way out of the building. She walked towards the shore, just a matter of yards away. Reaching it, she waded onto the beach and looked around at the green clad hills. The group from the boat was just arriving, she saw, riding in a small dinghy towards the beach. They disembarked and she went to join them for the planned hike up the hillside overlooking the bay. The boat's captain led the group up a dusty path which was lined by thick vegetation. The hike was steep and Mattie was glad of her damp skin and swimsuit, which kept her cool. The way wasn't far, however, and they soon came to a lookout point over the COVID They stopped and gazed out across the bay below. There was a mild wind here and it blew their hair away from their faces as they shaded their eyes with their hands. The water far below was dotted with white sails and with motorboats with long trailing wakes. The white wakes indicated that the motorboats were moving rapidly, but at this distance they looked almost immobile, like little horseshoe crabs with their tails stuck out ramrod straight behind them, the sparkling expanse of water and the sweeping view were so alluring. The group sat in wonder for a long time. Then at last they rose and headed back down the hillside the same way they had come. Going back down felt much quicker than the way up. And soon the group was boarding the dinghy and motoring back to the boat. Mattie enjoyed the breeze as they went along. It cooled her down and blew the dust from her legs. Back on the boat, the afternoon passed in lazy delight, filled with swimming, reading and resting on deck. At dinner, the passengers filled their plates with the hearty delicacies prepared by the chef using fresh local ingredients. They lingered over the meal, chatting about what they'd seen today, where they'd travelled from and where they were going next. There was an easy camaraderie that arose from the joint experience and the shared isolation on board the boat. They all seemed to have sunk willingly and gratefully into this moment in time, this chance to be suspended outside of their normal lives. They were physically separated from the rest of the world by the rails of the boat and the expanse of water that surrounded them. Wherever they went, the sky grew dark and the stars began to appear. And still they sat around the table conversing and smiling, sipping tea in the cozy light of a single lantern hung overhead. And as they sat within that pool of light in the middle of the expanding darkness with the ink black waves lapping around them, the feeling of being suspended in a bubble away from the world intensified. Then at last the group said good night and left the table one by one to prepare for sleep. Mattie said her farewells and rose to head to her cabin. She slipped into a soft swim cover up that served as her onboard nightgown and brushed her teeth. But she didn't stay in her cabin. After her bedtime preparations were complete. She made her way back back out onto the deck and walked to the front where the cushions were laid out in neat rows. She decided that she would sleep in the open air tonight. She spread out a blanket on one of the cushions and placed a pillow on top top of it. Then she stretched out comfortably and pulled a light cover across her body. She felt no pressure whatsoever to sleep. She would take the next day as it came and could always have a nap if she felt felt like it. For now she enjoyed the whisper soft rocking of the boat and the twinkling of the stars up above her. The night sky had darkened to the deep black, only seen in places far from from city lights. The stars stretched across the blackness in unfathomable numbers, stitching patterns into it like some kind of glorious celestial quilt. Brilliantly bright stars were connected by trails of spring, smaller ones, some so faint she could only see them out of the corner of her eye as they seemed to waver out of existence. When she tried to fix her gaze directly on them, all were brought into crisp relief by the bottomless darkness surrounding them. Though she harboured no urgency about sleep, Mattie's body felt pleasantly heavy and tired, and her calmed mind drifted in drowsiness. She wondered if it was the sea air or the salt, the sunshine, or the sprinkling of exercise she'd engaged in that had made her so tired and ready to rest. But as she watched the patient stars shining on her with the promise of eternity, a different answer floated through her unmoored consciousness. It was the relaxation, the calming effects of living in the moment that had left her body and mind willing to succumb to the healing of sleep. Even setting aside the expectation and pressure to sleep had contributed to the drowsiness that left her floating off, willing to submit to welcoming sleep. And so, with a deep and satisfied sigh, she did it. Sa.