This meditation is best done in a special place in your own yard
relaxing under the shady protection of the trees, or in a local park
or wooded area you are familiar with. Cast a circle of white
protective light around you, ground and center. Just relax. Allow
everything to just fall away as you inhale deeply again. Continue
breathing deeply until you are completely relaxed and at peace.
Continue inhaling and exhaling several more times. Close your eyes and
breathe, one two three.. Exhale on the count of three, one, two and
three…. Now open your eyes.
You are dressed in baggy khaki shorts, a light sleeveless t-shirt,
hiking boots, and as it is still cool, you have your sweater on. You
have a light pack on your back and carry a twisted, weathered oak
staff in which you have carved runes and symbols for protection.
You are hiking through a deep, vast woodland valley. The early morning
sun peeks through the treetops and the cracks and crags of rocky
embankments creating russet hues on the rock face. Lizards climb from
their burrows to sun themselves and hawks fly in circles overhead
searching for prey. You stop occasionally to peer into an old hollowed
out tree trunk or to smell the honeysuckle and crimson, trumpet shaped
flowers cascading from vines. In the distance you hear the sound of
rushing water.
As you come around the bend you see below you the valley floor. A
river winds through the middle and there are lush fields of
wildflowers and ferns amongst the thickets of trees on either side.
You stop to take in the beauty and removing your sweater, tie it about
your waist. The sky is clear and the rays of the mid day sun dance
across the water below creating dancing rainbows in the current.
Carefully, you make your way down through the thicket of oaks, maples,
and pine trees to the waters edge. The river cascades over the rocks
into gentle pools of water and then continues down the valley. You
pick a place where the currents flow gently. The water is only waist
deep but is clean and clear and fish swim peacefully. Setting your
pack down, you remove your boots and socks and carefully stick a toe
in the water. The temperature is perfect. Removing the rest of you
clothing you hang them from a branch on a nearby tree and gently ease
into the water. Ducking your head under, you swim about splashing and
playing in the refreshing water. The fish dart about, unsure about
your presence, seeking shelter beneath rocky ledges where water
cascades. A turtle slides from a log into the water and disappears
from sight. Damsel flies and dragon flies dart about the waters
surface, some have translucent shimmering wings and some have dark
opaque wings. You swim about leisurely and float on you back for a bit
absorbing the beauty of it all.
At the center of the stream a large rock protrudes above the surface
as the river cascades down the sides. Pulling yourself onto the rock
you sit back, legs dangling over the edge so your feet just skim the
waters surface and bask in the warm rays of sunlight on your skin. A
rustling noise gets your attention. Looking to the edge of the river
you see four otters at the bank. They ease into the water to feed on
crayfish and frogs. You lay back quietly and watch them for a while
but eventually you close your eyes and begin to drift.
A sudden splash awakens you. Four women, three of them young,
beautiful maidens and one more mature but just a lovely to behold are
splashing and playing in the water. Chestnut of hair with honey tan
skin and lithe, graceful bodies, their brown eyes sparkle as they
laugh. You can't help but feel the joy radiating from them. Diving
deep, they glide easily through the water. Turning to you, they smile
and gesture for you to join them. Sliding from the rock, you join them
in the watery playground. You splash and play and giggle, feeling
young, alive, and vibrant. Their gentle feminine laughter tinkles like
wind chimes in a teasing breeze. You feel as if you are a child again
playing with your friends at the play ground, dancing and giggling and
twirling about. You feel joyful and carefree. Scrambling upon rocky
ledges they take turns jumping and diving into the river. You take
your turn as well feeling exhilarated and alive.
Stopping to catch your breath, you climb back on top of your rock
still laughing and giggling at the women splashing about in the water.
As you sit to watch them, your four companions look at you and smile
and turn, diving deep one last time and swim to shore where they
emerge from the water not as women, but as three young otters and one
adult otter, their damp auburn fur glistening in the sunlight. Turning
to look at you once again, in your head you hear them gently remind
you of the importance of finding time to play, not just work. "Float
with the stream of life without tying yourself to material goods. Let
go of worry and pain, lighten up and enjoy what life has to offer.
Trust your inner knowing, develop trust for others and embrace the
world with excitement and enthusiasm. Life is what you make it.
Remember to honor the heart, to play with the people in our lives, and
to allow things to take their natural course." Then, turning away,
they scramble up the bank and into the woods.
Slowly, open you eyes and sit up and stretch your limbs. You find that
you are sitting under the shade of the trees in your own yard. Be sure
to ground and center. Now would be a good time to contemplate how you
could incorporate the lessons of Otter into you life.
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