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Hey, it's Eric. Before we begin tonight's episode, just a quick reminder. You're about to hear a few ads that help to support Listen to Sleep. If you'd rather drift off without them, you can join Listen to Sleep plus and get every episode ad free plus bonus stories and meditations. Just go to ListenToSleep.com and click on support to learn more.
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Hello friend. Welcome back to Listen to Sleep. Tonight's episode is from the Cabin Classics Collection, and it's helped many people find their way to deep rest. Whether this is your first time hearing it or or you're an old friend revisiting, I'm glad you're here. You'll find a new episode every Sunday and a classic like this one during the week. Some of these classics are shorter stories I read twice, a little slower and quieter the second time. Some are meditations, guided practices that go deeper than the mindfulness I weave into the stories. That deeper work is what the Cabin is all about. It's an intimate space where we meet twice a month, just me and a small community deeply committed to supporting each other as we discover more peace and purpose. Maybe you're in the middle of a big transition, the kind that changes everything and leaves you wondering who you are now. Maybe your old life doesn't fit anymore and you're not sure what comes next. Well, then, the Cabin is for you. It's where we learn to see through the stories we've been telling ourselves, the ones that keep us stuck, anxious, or disconnected from who we really are. You get access to all my mindfulness courses, personal support from me, and most importantly, a community of folks who truly show up for each other. If you're ready for more than sleep stories, if you're ready to write a different story for your life, take the Free path assessment@jointhecabin.org in two minutes, you'll see your personalized journey and know exactly where to start. The link's in the show. Notes let's take a deep breath in and out, just letting go of the day, feeling the weight of gravity pulling you deep down into the matt. And another deep breath in and out. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to be. This is your time. Quiet time. One more deep breath in with me and out. If you get tired while I'm reading to you, that's okay. Just go ahead and let yourself drift off. The Hidden Forest of Dreams Once upon a time in the peaceful hills of Northern California, there was an old man with a long gray beard who lived in a cozy cabin with his loyal dog, Bodie and their mysterious black cat, Ninja. The old man's home was nestled within a dense, ancient forest where towering oaks and firs were reached for the sky and the ground was carpeted with a layer of soft green moss. Ferns and delicate wildflowers adorned the forest floor, and the occasional rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting an ethereal glow. The forest was a magical place, filled with the gentle sounds of rustling leaves, whispering winds, and the soothing songs of birds. Squirrels chattered happily as they leaped up in the woodland canopy, teasing Body as he gently barked at them with his front paws upon the foot of a tree, all while deer grazed nearby on tender grasses in the sun dappled clearings. The air was fresh and crisp, carrying with it the mingling scents of damp earth, pine needles, and fragrant blossoms. The forest was also home to a myriad of other creatures, like rabbits that hopped through the underbrush and foxes that darted in and out of the shadows, their eyes glinting with curiosity. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the forest, the old man decided to take Body and Ninja for a stroll. They followed a winding path lined with ferns and wildflowers that meandered deeper into the woods. The trio walked at a leisurely pace, allowing themselves to become fully immersed in the enchanting atmosphere. They paused often to admire the beauty around them, marveling at the vibrant colors of the setting sun as it painted the sky in hues of pink, orange, and purple. As they continued their journey, they came across a small babbling brook. The water sparkled and danced as the as it flowed over smooth stones, creating a soothing melody that echoed through the trees. The old man, Bodhi, and Ninja paused to rest on the bank, taking a moment to appreciate the tranquil scene before them. The old man dipped his hands in the cool water, letting it run through his fingers, while Bodhi lapped at the refreshing stream and Ninja playfully swatted at the leaves floating by on the surface. The old man closed his eyes, breathing deeply and inhaling the rich, earthy aromas that enveloped him. He could feel the gentle vibrations of the forest, a subtle Hum that seemed to resonate with his very soul. It was in moments like these that the old man found his deepest connection with nature. A connection that allowed him to truly appreciate the beauty and magic of the world around him. His heart swelled with gratitude for the simple pleasures that life in the forest provided. Bodhi and Ninja also seemed to be in tune with the forest's energy. The usually playful dog lay down beside the old man, his eyes half closed and his tail wagging slowly. The elusive ninja, who often spent his days stalking shadows and exploring the hidden corners of the forest, curled up on a moss covered rock, his green eyes fixed on the dancing water. As the trio rested by the brook, the old man began to weave a tale. He spoke softly, his voice blending with the sounds of the forest and the gentle babble of the stream. The story he told was filled with adventure and wonder, with characters who roamed the very forest they now found themselves in. He spoke of magical creatures, hidden treasures, and ancient wisdom that could be discovered if one simply listened to the whispers of the trees. He also shared tales of the people who had lived in the forest long ago, their lives intertwined with the land and its many secrets. As the old man's tale unfolded, the forest seemed to come alive with the magic of his words. The trees swayed and rustled as if they too were leaning in to listen to the story. The brook continued to sing, its sweet melody providing the perfect soundtrack to the old man's narrative. Even the smallest creatures, from the insects to the nocturnal animals, seemed to pause in their activities to listen to this captivating tale. Night fell and the sky transformed into a blanket of twinkling stars, each one shining like a tiny beacon in the darkness. The old man's voice grew softer and his words began to weave a gentle spell of sleepiness. The forest, once alive with the energy of the story, seemed to settle into a calm, peaceful slumber. The breeze grew still, the leaves stopped rustling, and even the babbling brook seemed to quiet its song. Feeling the drowsy atmosphere enveloping them, the old man, Bodhi and Ninja slowly rose from their resting places. They began their journey back to the cabin, each step slow and deliberate, as if they were walking through a dream. Along the way, they encountered fireflies that danced in the air, their soft glow lighting the path. And the soothing sounds of crickets and frogs serenaded them. As they walked, the old man continued to spin his tail, his voice now a gentle whisper that caressed the still night air. The forest seemed to listen intently, as if it too was being lulled to sleep. By the old man's words, even the stars above seemed to twinkle more softly, casting a gentle glow on the path that led the trio back to their cabin. Upon reaching their home, the old man, Bodhi and Ninja entered the warm, inviting space. The cabin was filled with the comforting scent of wood smoke and the soft glow of candlelight. The old man stoked the fire in the hearth, watching as the flames flickered and danced, casting shadows on the walls. Bodhi settled down on his soft, cozy bed near the fireplace, his eyes growing heavy as the warmth of the fire enveloped him. Ninja, always a creature of the shadows, found a quiet corner to curl up in his sleek black fur. Blending seamlessly with the darkness. The old man took a seat in his favorite rocking chair, a well worn piece of furniture that had been passed down through generations. As he rocked gently back and forth, he continued to weave his tail, the words now barely audible as they floated through the air. The old man spoke of dreams and the mysteries of the night, his voice imbued with the soothing magic of sleep. One by one, the trio succumbed to the gentle embrace of sleep. The old man's voice grew softer and softer until it was no more than a breath, a whisper of a story that had woven its magic around them all. And so, as the fire burned low and the shadows deepened, the old man, his dog Bodhi, and their black cat Ninja, drifted off to sleep, their dreams filled with the enchantment and wonder of the sleepy forest that surrounded them in the world outside their cabin. The forest slept too, as if held in a gentle, loving embrace by the old man's tail. The leaves, the wind, and even the brook seemed to rest, waiting for the dawn to break and the magic of a new day to begin with. Each new day, the old man, Bodhi and Ninja would continue their adventures, exploring the magical forest and finding inspiration in the beauty and wonder that surrounded them. Their days were filled with joy and their nights were spent under a canopy of stars, sharing stories that brought the forest to life. As the seasons changed, so did the stories. Adapting to the rhythm of the world around them. The old man's tales became a part of the lore of the forest, integral to the enchanting landscape that was their home. And so the old man, Bodhi and Ninja lived out their days in the heart of the ancient forest, their lives forever entwined with the magic and mystery of the land. Their love for for the natural world and their connection to its creatures and secrets only deepened with time, making their simple existence a truly extraordinary adventure. In the end, their story became one of the many legends whispered among the trees carried on the wind, a timeless tale of the magical bond between an old man, his loyal dog, and their mysterious black cat, and the enchanting forest that embraced them all. Once upon a time, in the peaceful hills of Northern California, there was an old man with a long gray beard who lived in a cozy cabin with his loyal dog, Bodhi, and their mysterious black cat, Ninja. The old man's home was nestled within a dense, ancient forest where towering oaks and furs reached for the sky and the ground was carpeted with a layer of soft green moss. Ferns and delicate wildflowers adorned the forest floor, and the occasional rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting an ethereal glow. The forest was a magical place, filled with the gentle sounds of rustling leaves, whispering winds, and the soothing songs of birds. Squirrels chattered happily as they leaped up in the woodland canopy, teasing Body as he gently barked at them with his front paws up on the foot of a tree, all while deer grazed nearby on tender grasses in the sun dappled clearings. The air was fresh and crisp, carrying with it the mingling scents of damp earth, pine needles and fragrant blossoms. The forest was also home to a myriad of other creatures, like rabbits that hopped through the underbrush and foxes that darted in and out of the shadows, their eyes glinting with curiosity. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the forest, the old man decided to take Bode and Ninja for a stroll. They followed a winding path lined with furs and wildflowers that meandered deeper into the woods. The trio walked at a leisurely pace, allowing themselves to become fully immersed in the enchanting atmosphere. They paused often to admire the beauty around them, marveling at the vibrant colors of the setting sun as it painted the sky in hues of pink, orange and purple. As they continued their journey, they came across a small babbling brook. The water sparkled and danced as it flowed over smooth stones, creating a soothing melody that echoed through the trees. The old man, Bodie and Ninja paused to rest on the bank, taking a moment to appreciate the tranquil scene before them. The old man dipped his hands in the cool water, letting it run through his fingers, while Bodhi lapped at the refreshing stream and Ninja playfully swatted at the leaves floating on the surface. The old man closed his eyes, breathing deeply and inhaling the rich, earthy aromas that enveloped him. He could feel the gentle vibrations of the forest, a subtle hum that seemed to resonate with his very soul. It was in moments like these that the old man found his deepest connection with nature, A connection that allowed him to truly appreciate the beauty and magic of the world around him. His heart swelled with gratitude for the simple pleasures of that life in the forest provided. Bodhi and Ninja also seemed to be in tune with the forest's energy. The usually playful dog lay down beside the old man, his eyes half closed and his tail wagging slowly. The elusive ninja, who often spent his days stalking the shadows and exploring the hidden corners of the forest, curled up on a moss covered rock, his green eyes fixed on the dancing water. As the trio rested by the Brooklyn, the old man began to weave a tale. He spoke softly, his voice blending with the sounds of the forest and the gentle babble of the stream. The story he told was filled with adventure and wonder, with characters who roamed the the very forest they now found themselves in. He spoke of magical creatures, hidden treasures, and ancient wisdom that could be discovered if one simply listened to the whispers of the trees. He also shared tales of the people who had lived in the forest long ago, their lives intertwined with the land and its many secrets. As the old man's tale unfolded, the forest seemed to come alive with the magic of his words. The trees swayed and rustled as if they too were leaning in to listen to the story. The brook continued to sing, its sweet melody providing the perfect soundtrack to the old man's narrative. Even the smallest creatures, from the insects to the nocturnal animals, seemed to pause in their activities to listen to the captivating tale. Night fell and the sky transformed into a blanket of twinkling stars, each one shining like a tiny beacon in the darkness. The old man's voice grew softer and his words began to weave a gentle spell of sleepiness. The forest, once alive with the energy of the story, seemed to settle into a calm, peaceful slumber. The breeze grew still, the leaves stopped rustling, and even the babbling brook seemed to quiet its song. Feeling the drowsy atmosphere enveloping them, the old man, Bodhi and Ninja slowly rose from their resting places. They began their journey back to the cabin, each step slow and deliberate, as if they were walking through a dream. Along the way, they encountered fireflies that danced in the air. Their soft glow lighting the path and the soothing sounds of crickets and frogs serenaded them. As they walked, the old man continued to spin his tail, his voice now a gentle whisper that caressed the still night air. The forest seemed to listen intently, as if it too was being lulled to sleep by the old man's words. Even the stars above seemed to Twinkle more softly, casting a gentle glow on the path that led the trio back to their cabin. Upon reaching their home, the old man, Bodhi and Ninja entered the warm, inviting space. The cabin was filled with the comforting scent of wood smoke and the soft glow of candlelight. The old man stoked the fire in the hearth, watching as the flames flickered and danced, casting shadows on the walls. Bodie settled down on his soft, cozy bed near the fireplace, his eyes growing heavy as the warmth of the fire enveloped him. Ninja, always a creature of the shadows, found a quiet corner to curl up in his sleek black fur, blending seamlessly with the darkness. The old man took a seat in his favorite rocking chair, a well worn piece of furniture that had been passed down through through generations. As he rocked gently back and forth, he continued to weave his tail, the words now barely audible as they floated through the air. The old man spoke of dreams and the mysteries of the night, his voice imbued with the soothing magic of sleep. One by one, the trio succumbed to the gentle embrace of sleep. The old man's voice grew softer and softer until it was no more than a breath, a whisper of a story that had woven its magic around them all. And so, as the fire burned low and the shadows deepened, the old man, his dog Bodie, and their black cat Ninja drifted off to sleep, their dreams filled with the enchantment and wonder of the sleepy forest that surrounded them. In the world outside their cabin, the forest slept too, as if held in a gentle, loving embrace by the old man's tail. The leaves, the wind, and even the brook seemed to rest, waiting for the dawn to break and the magic of a new day to begin with. Each new day, the old man, Bodhi and Ninja would continue their adventures, exploring the magical forest and finding inspiration in the beauty and wonder that surrounded them. Their days were filled with joy and their nights were spent under a canopy of stars, sharing stories that brought the forest to life. As the seasons changed, so did the stories. Adapting to the rhythm of the world around them. The old man's tales became a part of the lore of the forest, integral to the enchanting landscape that was their home. And so the old man, Bodie and Ninja lived out their days in the heart of the ancient forest, their lives forever entwined with the magic and mystery of the land. Their love for the natural world and their connection to its creatures and secrets only deepened with time, making their simple existence a truly extraordinary adventure. In the end, their story became one of the many legends whispered among the trees and carried on the wind. A timeless tale of the magical bond between an old man, his loyal dog and their mysterious black cat and the enchanting forest that embraced them all. Good night.
Host: Erik Ireland
Date: December 31, 2025
In this soothing episode from the Cabin Classics Collection, Erik Ireland—your “mountain grandpa”—reads his original bedtime story, “The Hidden Forest of Dreams.” The tale centers on an old man, his loyal dog Bodhi, and their mysterious black cat Ninja as they journey through an enchanted Northern California forest. Through vivid descriptions and gentle narration, the episode guides listeners into a world of peace, reflection, and deep rest. The story is read twice, each time more slowly and quietly, enhancing its calming, meditative effect.
Timestamp: 01:02–03:20
“Maybe your old life doesn’t fit anymore and you’re not sure what comes next. Well, then, the Cabin is for you.” (02:05)
Timestamp: 03:20–04:05
“This is your time. Quiet time. One more deep breath in with me and out. If you get tired while I'm reading to you, that’s okay. Just go ahead and let yourself drift off.” (03:56)
Timestamp: 04:05–25:55
“The air was fresh and crisp, carrying with it the mingling scents of damp earth, pine needles, and fragrant blossoms.” (05:02)
“The trees swayed and rustled as if they too were leaning in to listen to the story.” (11:12)
Timestamp: 25:56–end
“He could feel the gentle vibrations of the forest, a subtle hum that seemed to resonate with his very soul.” (27:41)
On Deep Rest and Belonging:
“Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to be. This is your time. Quiet time.”
— Erik Ireland (03:51)
On Connection with Nature:
"It was in moments like these that the old man found his deepest connection with nature... his heart swelled with gratitude for the simple pleasures that life in the forest provided.”
— Story narration (08:30)
On Storytelling Magic:
"The old man's tale unfolded, the forest seemed to come alive with the magic of his words. The trees swayed and rustled as if they too were leaning in to listen to the story."
— Story narration (11:12)
On Nightfall and Lullabies:
"The old man's voice grew softer and his words began to weave a gentle spell of sleepiness. The forest... seemed to settle into a calm, peaceful slumber."
— Story narration (12:30)
The episode maintains a serene, nurturing, and magical tone. Erik’s narration is slow, gentle, and filled with warmth, reminiscent of a grandparent telling a favorite story by firelight. Every passage aims to foster comfort and a deep connection with nature and the present moment.
“The Hidden Forest of Dreams” is a soothing, atmospheric bedtime story about finding peace, wonder, and belonging in nature and companionship. With repeated storytelling and Erik’s mindful guidance, the episode is crafted for relaxation, deep rest, and gentle reflection—ideal for listeners seeking comfort and sleep.
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