Meditations

STEPPING STONES ACROSS THE RIVER

This meditation is an echo of the challenges we sometimes face in our lives. We sometimes feel we are frozen in time and our choices are limited. We don’t know how to move ahead. It was at a time like that when I experienced the following meditation that I would like to share with you.

When you are on stepping-stones, there is a moment when you are balanced with one foot on the stone you were on. Your other foot is stepping across to the next one. You are balanced over the river between the stones. You need all your confidence to put your foot down firmly on the next stone. Take care not to look down into the flowing water beneath you, but only to the stepping-stone you wish to go to. You still feel unsteady until your back foot has joined the other and both are firmly on the new stone. Then you can think about crossing on to the next stone. Life itself can be so like that. But it’s only scary because you are in progress to the next stage of your life, the next stepping-stone. This meditation is also about the chakras and the stages in our lives when we are moving on. The river is The River Of Life. The message of the meditation is be confident that everything is OK.

Begin by being aware of your gentle breathing. The breath feels cool as you breathe in and warm as you breathe out. Continue to do this and as you breathe in, feel yourself being filled with the life-giving light and energy of the sun. With each breath you can see this light filling you with health and strength. Visualise it filling your whole body, dissolving away all tension and stress.

Visualise yourself sitting by a gently flowing river. It moves smoothly between its banks. You see butterflies and hear the hum of insects. A bright flash of a kingfisher is seen flying along the riverbank. On the other side of the river is a small copse of trees that looks cool and inviting. You see stepping-stones leading across the river to this relaxing place on the other side. The stones are the seven colours of the chakras. You decide to cross the river.

The first stone is a beautiful rose red, bright in the sunshine. You step off the riverbank and onto the stone. You feel firm and grounded, with both your feet safely on the stone. The red stone represents firmness and faith that life always supports you. Feel the colour red envelop your legs and hips, encouraging you to feel confident.

Look across to the next stone. It is a beautiful, brilliant orange. You prepare to step across with one foot and the other foot is firmly on the red stone. Look across to the orange stone but not down into the river. Keep your eyes fixed on where you are going. Now your foot is safely on the orange stone and you can bring both feet together. The orange stone represents creativity. You are able to tap into your creative ideas to expand your confidence and ingenuity and develop your talents. Feel a swirl of this brilliant orange surround your lower abdominal area, your area of creativity.

You see a vivid yellow stone ahead of you, shining in the sunlight. It looks inviting and you prepare to step across, reaching ahead with your leading foot. Fix your gaze on the stone, your goal and don’t look down at the river. One foot steps ahead, the other remains on the orange stepping-stone. Now your foot has found a safe and steady position and the other foot can cross too. Both your feet are on the yellow stepping stone and you feel vivid, yellow sparkling light swirling around your solar plexus area, your place of energy and power and self-esteem. Reach for the sun, the centre of warmth and strength. You feel empowered and full of energy.

When you are ready, you look at the next stepping stone, a vibrant green. It is the colour of harmony and adaptability, of unconditional love. Step across as before. When both feet are firm on the green stepping stone you feel surrounded by infinite love and security. All is well in your life. Your chest and heart area are filled and surrounded by beautiful green light.

The next stone is brilliant, sapphire blue. Step over onto the stone of self-expression. Feel your neck and throat surrounded by a swirl of this beautiful sapphire blue. You know that you can always speak the truth in a kind and confident way.

Ahead, you see a dark blue, indigo coloured stone. Step across, keeping your gaze fixed on the stone as before. This is the colour of intuition and inspiration, the colour of the third eye, ajna chakra that receives spiritual wisdom through the gift of clairvoyance. You feel firm and grounded on the indigo stepping-stone and surrounded by the deepest blue colour, the colour of the sky at night, just before the darkness descends.

One final stepping-stone awaits you. It is shot through with deepest violet and rose amethyst. You step across carefully and feel firm and steady on the stepping-stone of spirituality, of higher consciousness and confidence in your ability to receive inspiration through meditation. You are bathed in shades of violet and rose-amethyst.

Now you can step across to the riverbank and rest in the tranquillity of the shady trees. Lie on the grass and feel the stability of Mother Earth beneath you. Rest here until you feel ready to return across the river once more. You return through the seven stepping-stones of consciousness – violet, indigo, brilliant, sapphire blue, vibrant green, vivid yellow, brilliant orange and beautiful rose red. Step across to the riverbank where you started your journey and you are ready to take up everyday life once more.

Bring your attention back to your breath. Breathe more deeply and stretch your body, then open your eyes. Make sure you are grounded and wide awake before you return to your everyday affairs.

© Kathleen Pepper July 2011.