You find yourself lying in a field on a deep carpet of soft green grass. There is warm sunshine shining through your closed eyes. You are relaxed and breathing slowly and evenly. A wisp of breeze carries the scent of grass and flowers to you. It is a clean, fresh smell. You can hear the gentle sounds of birds singing in the distance. It's a soft, happy sound, letting you know that everything is safe.
(pause)
Slowly you open your eyes and sit up. You find yourself in a field of beautiful wild flowers of every color, surrounded by trees on all sides. You can now see some of the birds perched in the trees surrounding the field of wild flowers. You see birds of every shape and color. You watch the birds flying from branch to branch. Robins are there, and blue jays, cardinals, and brilliant emerald and scarlet hummingbirds. Every bird that you can imagine are all together in the trees around you, each singing their different songs.
(pause)
At your side, you notice a closed basket. As you touch it, you feel a tingle in your hands. You realize that it is a magic basket that contains everything you need for your journey here. Food, water, shelter, and magical items are all somehow contained in this basket, although it hardly seems to weigh anything at all. As you examine the basket, you notice that there are symbols and signs painted onto it. One image in particular seems to stand out.
(pause)
It is somehow familiar to you, and it makes you feel comfortable and welcome here. You know that this basket was made for you, and you pick it up.
As you look around you, you notice that there are four paths that lead away from the field and into the woods around you. From where you are standing, you cannot see down any of the trails more than a few feet, and you become curious as to where they might lead. You begin to sense that you are looking for something, or someone, and that one of the paths will lead you to what it is you are looking for. You notice that the call of one bird seems to sound louder and more persistent than the others.
(pause)
You look around for the source of the sound and see the bird perched in a large tree that grows next to one of the paths. This bird seems to be urging you to follow the trail.
You walk slowly toward the bird in the tree, brushing your hands against the tall grasses and flowers as you pass. You notice one flower that is so stunning in its beauty that you stop to admire it.
(pause)
As you lean over the flower to smell its perfume, the blossom gently drops into your hand. With great tenderness, you place the flower in your basket, knowing that it will be safe there. You continue walking toward the calling bird.
As you reach the tree, the bird lifts himself into the air and begins to fly down the trail, moving from tree to tree. Curious, you follow as the path winds and twists its way through the large old trees.
(pause)
The path ends in a small circular clearing not much larger than you are tall. It is surrounded by dense scrub brush and berry bushes of all kinds. If you were to lie down in the center, your head and feet would barely brush against the underbrush that surrounds it.
You notice that the bird that led you to this clearing has left. A peaceful quiet settles over the woods, making you feel very relaxed and calm. You know that you are now ready to meet that which you were sent to find here. You sit down in the center of the clearing to wait. You can still feel the warm sun on your face. The sound of the songbirds is heard very faintly off in the distance. You can smell the sharp scent of pine carried on a gentle breeze.
As you wait, you hear a sound in the trees, as though someone or something is slowly making their way through the forest toward you in the clearing. You have no fear, for you immediately sense that you are now to meet that which you are seeking. Directly across from you the bushes part and your Spirit Guide enters the circle.
(pause)
You stare at each other silently for a moment, drinking in the sight and sound and scent of each other. Slowly you reach into your basket and offer a gift to your companion. Your spirit guide accepts it and beckons you to rise. You place your trust in this guide, knowing that you have so much to learn from him. You follow where he leads.
(pause here 5-10 minutes)
After time that seems to stretch forever, your spirit guide returns you to the small clearing in the woods. You turn to thank him and bid him farewell, but the Spirit Guide has already slipped off into the woods and disappeared. You notice that the bird that had led you to this clearing has returned to lead you back to the field. You follow the bird through the trees, and return to the field full of wild flowers and songbirds. You sit down where you began your journey, contemplating the things that your Spirit Guide has shown you. Your journey ends.
(slowly re-focus your awareness on your body, bringing yourself back to it. Open your eyes gently, breathing deeply. Welcome Back!)
~Flame RavenHawk
June 23, 1996