When something is changing and you cannot see the far side of it
Position
Sitting or lying down
Style
Guided imagery, a walk into a forest. Music underneath
The forest of uncertainty, which is a grand name for everything you do not yet know. Twelve minutes of walking into it anyway.
About 12 minutes with Steven Webb's calm voice.
There is a creek where every droplet is a change. Some cause ripples, some do not, and the creek gets on with it either way. Then an oak in a clearing that is you, and a seed you leave beside it. The one thing that is certain is that everything changes.
Treat me to a coffee, keep the podcast free, and get my Weekly Calm every Sunday. It is all on stevenwebb.uk
Thank you for sitting with me.
Steven
Who this is for
Something in your life is moving and you do not know where it lands. A job, a diagnosis, a relationship, a move.
This does not tell you it will be fine, because nobody knows that. It gives you somewhere to stand while you find out.
What happens in this meditation
You are at the edge of a forest at sunset. This is the forest of uncertainty, which is a grand name for everything you do not yet know. It looks intimidating and you walk into it anyway.
You pass trees that have taken storms and are still standing. Then a creek, where every droplet joining it is a change in your life. Some make ripples, some do not, and the creek carries on either way.
Then a clearing with an oak in the middle, and the oak is you. Your hand on the bark. A seed in your other hand, left at the foot of it.
Then back out, and the first stars are up.
How to get the most from it
Twelve minutes, and somewhere you will not be interrupted.
Come back to it. This is one to have on a shortlist rather than hear once, because the situations it is built for tend to last weeks rather than an afternoon.
If the forest will not appear, hold the creek instead. That one image does most of the work.
Questions people ask
Is this going to tell me everything happens for a reason?
No. It says something narrower and more useful. Everything changes, that part is certain, and you have already bent without breaking more times than you give yourself credit for.
What is the seed?
What the uncertainty might turn into. You leave it there rather than take it with you, because you are not being asked to know what it becomes.
Can I use this for something that has already happened?
Yes. It was written for the not knowing, but the oak and the creek work just as well for something you are still absorbing.
Read along
The transcript
It follows the audio. Press any line to jump there.
change · resilience · nature · forest
Read the transcript
Welcome to the meditation, Embracing Change Through Nature's Guidance. Today we'll embark on a
journey through a forest, learning to navigate life's uncertainties with the wisdom of nature, and expect to
discover inner strength, resilience, and see the beauty in change as we walk this path together.
Before we start, let's please find a quiet place where you feel safe and comfortable. Free from any interruptions.
And you can sit or lie down in a relaxed position. And
when you're ready, just close your eyes and take a moment to connect with your body and breath.
So as I invite you to take a deep breath in through your nose and just hold it for a
moment
And then release through your mouth.
And if you repeat this a few times, allowing each breath to flow naturally and in time with whatever feels
comfortable.
Allowing this relaxation and calmness to wash over you like a wave.
Breathing in calm. Breathing out relax.
Breathing in calm. Breathing out relax.
And remember if your mind wanders, just smile and bring it back to your breath. It's okay. That's what the
mind does. It's important not to be frustrated by it.
And the same as relaxing your body. It's not something you can force to happen. It's something you allow to
happen.
You can just sit and allow your body to relax into this moment.
Now visualize yourself standing at the edge of a lush forest,
a sanctuary of ancient trees and blooming flowers
under a sky painted with the hues of a beautiful sunset.
This is the forest of uncertainty, a place that embodies all changes and unknowns in your
life.
It might look intimidating, but remember every forest holds beauty, growth and transformation.
And this forest is no exception. And this forest is especially for you.
As you stand before the forest, Acknowledge your feelings of uncertainty and change.
It's natural to fear the unknown, To feel overwhelmed by the prospect of stepping into an unfamiliar
landscape.
However, remember that within this forest There lies the opportunity for growth And a deeper discovery.
Every
tree, every path, every creature represents part of your journey. Your potential for adaptation
and resilience.
Now begin to walk toward the forest. Feel the crunch of the leaves under your feet. The coolness of the
breeze brushing against your skin. And the symphony of sound surrounding you.
Notice the towering trees, how they sway in the wind and they reach for the sky.
They
too have weathered storms and changes, yet they stand tall and robust. A testament to resilience
and growth.
You come to a small creek, its water gently flowing over the rocks.
Each droplet that joins the stream is like a moment of change in your life. Some droplets cause ripples.
Disrupt the calmness. Just like certain changes can unsettle us.
But look at the overall creek. It adapts. It flows. It finds a way. So
too can you.
And as you continue deeper into the forest, until you reach a clearing,
bathed in golden light of the setting sun, in the centre grows a mighty oak tree.
This tree symbolizes you With
your roots deep in the ground of your experiences and your branches reaching out to embrace the possibilities of change
and the unknown.
As you approach the tree, place your hand on its rough bar.
Feel the strength and the stability it possesses.
Know that this strength also resides within you.
You have the power to weather all changes,
to bend with the winds of uncertainty, yet never break.
In your other hand, imagine holding a small seed.
This represents the gift that uncertainty and change can bring.
Place this seed next to the mighty oak tree,
symbolizing your commitment to accept the uncertainties, to navigate the changes, and to discover the potential
for growth that this can bring.
Now begin to step back from the tree, back towards the edge of the forest. Carrying
with you the lessons you've learned and the strength you've found.
And as you emerge from the forest, the sun has set and
the first stars begin to twinkle in the night sky. Each one a beacon of hope,
reminding you that even in darkness there is beauty to be found.
And when you're ready, start to bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings.
Notice how you feel and how your breath continues to flow gently in and out.
Recognise your resilience and your strength and your capability to embrace uncertainty and change.
Remember the mighty oak tree and the little seed.
Whenever you face uncertainty, recall this vision and remember the lessons from the forest of uncertainty.
Take a final deep breath in and hold it for a moment
And then slowly exhale.
Open your eyes and return to the world around you, bringing with you the peace and understanding you've gained.
Remember every change, every uncertainty is an opportunity for growth, an opportunity to learn
and to become stronger. You
have the resilience and the strength to navigate any path that lies before you.
Good luck on your journey. You can return to this meditation often. And it'll give you the comfort you need
to face uncertainty and face change. Because one thing that is certain is that everything will
always change.
I'm Steven Webb and I've got another podcast, Stillness in the Storms. And you can support these meditations by treating
me to a coffee or a virtual hug on thankyousteven.com.
