Self-Guided Meditation To Help Induce Sleep

One of the ways that I meditate is through self-guided meditation. I use this method because I don’t want to have to deal with turning off my phone afterwards, especially because I’m doing it to help me go to sleep at night. Self-guided meditation can also be helpful when I’m having a hard time concentrating to do a different kind of meditation.

I don’t say anything out loud, but I imagine hearing the words in my head and I follow the instructions. I’ll share my favorite meditation with you now -- I usually fall asleep before I get to the end.

The town square

You step barefooted onto a smooth cobblestone street. The warmth of the stones feels relaxing on your bare feet, as with each step your feet are being massaged by the stones. The town square has people coming and going from businesses as the late afternoon sun shines brightly in the sky.

You breathe in the smell of fresh baked bread from the bakery nearby as someone leaves the shop, and you let out a relaxing exhale. A woman and her little daughter walk past you, holding hands and talking about the lovely little pastel-coloured houses on the hillside. You smile as they pass you before setting your eyes on the hillside too.

Hillside blooms

Every one of the little houses dotting the hillside is a beautiful pastel colour, each with a flower garden in the front yard. As you pass by the little houses, you can smell the wonderful aroma of the flowers in bloom, and you let out another relaxing breath. The flowers dance gently in the wind and you see some bees going from flower to flower.

A little friend

Up ahead you see a black kitten curled up on a bench, basking in the warmth of the sun. As you get closer, its head slowly lifts up, spotting you, and it gives you a big yawn and stretch. You can’t help but yawn too as the kitten slowly hops off the bench and walks towards you. The kitten rubs its head up against your legs and offers a quiet meow before you gently scoop it up in your arms. You smile and pet the kitten as you continue to walk towards the open doorway out of the town square towards the fields.

The grassy path

You step off the cobblestone street and onto the warm grassy path. The feeling on your bare feet is soft and calming. You follow the winding grassy path towards some towering maple trees that surround both sides of the path. The kitten's purrs relax you more as you continue down the path, the sunlight glinting through the leaves above you. You exit out from the trees as the sun starts to set behind the mountain, filling the sky with beautiful shades of pink, purple and orange.

The cabin

You begin the slight gentle descent down a hill towards a beautiful small lake, where you can just make out the tiny cabin on the opposite side. As you get to the lake's edge, you notice some smoke coming out of the chimney of the cabin. You inhale the sweet smell of the lake and smoke from the fire inside the cabin, feeling even more relaxed as you exhale. You notice the first couple of stars becoming visible in the dusk as you approach the log cabin. As you open the front door the kitten jumps down from your arms and runs towards a big, comfortable chair in front of the fireplace. You smile -- you have finally reached your destination.

Sleep tight

The room is lit by the fire alone, the light slowly dancing around the walls. You grab the blanket resting on the back of the chair and slip it on your lap as you sink into the cozy seat. The kitten jumps up on your lap and lets out another big yawn before falling asleep on your lap. You yawn too, and soon the kitten's slowed breathing has your eyes feeling heavy. You feel so relaxed and comfortable in front of the fire, you soon join the kitten in sleep.