Quiet the Mind Meditation: The Toy

In the past few Quiet the Mind articles, the misconceptions of meditation were discussed, and then the beginning steps for meditating were shared. In this installment, we will move forward into one of the meditations. As with every meditation, I used the Rainbow Visualization to begin quieting my mind. After the rainbow of colors, I did see twenty stairs leading down. From this point, I shall describe the meditation as you could be experiencing it.

One of the first meditations I witnessed while learning active meditation was a regressive visualization. I was led to a place where I was given the opportunity to remember a very special childhood memory. I was able to remember a well-loved toy. As an introduction to meditation, it brought a loving and safe feeling to the experience. I am glad to have the opportunity to share it with anyone who may be interested. I will remind you, it can very likely bring to you childhood memories. The experience can be cathartic, joyful, or it has raised questions in some people's minds. Please bear these things in mind should you decide to try the meditation.

The Toy

As you step away from the stairs you have just come down, you find yourself on a beach. There is a light and warm breeze. The sound of the waves against the shore is pleasant. The sand beneath your feet is warm and soft. You walk along the beach enjoying all that surrounds you. You see rocks ahead and notice there are tide pools amongst them.

You walk along those lovely pools, filled with color and life. You see one that is much larger than the rest. It looks so inviting you step into it. There is room enough to stretch out in the pool, and you slowly ease yourself into the water. You enjoy the weightless feeling, the sound of the surf, and the warmth all about you.

You take a couple of deep breaths, and allow yourself to sink deeper into the pool. It is a lovely sensation as all your body is surrounded by the warm water. You allow yourself to sink deeper into the pool and you feel a calming warmth. You notice a light as you immerse yourself completely under the water. The light is bright and warm and you see all the colors of the rainbow sparkling within it.

You take a deep breath, and you notice that there is an opening where the light is coming from. You feel a need to go closer to this light, and enter the opening. It is bright with the light, and you see smooth rocks along the passageway, in all the soft colors of the rainbow. You pass by rocks that are red and orange. You move through smooth rocks colored yellow and green. You glide past rocks that are blue and indigo. You see as you move by violet rocks, you are moving into a larger space.

You take a deep breath as you move into a large chamber. There are sparkling lights all about you and a white light below and ahead of you. The light is bright and warm, and you feel drawn to it. You glide toward the light and see that within it is a large statue made of the crystal-strewn rock all about you. There is a warm and distinct feeling of love here.

You take a deep breath, and you move closer to see it well. The statue is of a child, sitting. The face is quiet, innocent, and still. You look down from the face and notice the statue has one hand held out to you. You allow yourself to move closer, and you see the curled fingers of the hand begin to slowly open.

You take a deep breath, and as the hand opens fully, you see a toy you adored as a child. You take the toy from the statue's hand. You allow yourself time to be with this toy. You take as much time with the toy as you desire. When you are ready to leave the toy, you place it back in the hand of the statue. You look up to the face, and see the statue is the likeness of you, when you were a child and the face is smiling at you.

You take a deep breath, and begin your journey back. You go back to the passage way and follow along it. You come back to the pool and allow yourself a moment to enjoy its warmth and brightness. You then step out of the pool and you feel the warm breeze. You hear the sound of the waves on the beach. You feel the sun and you walk back to the sand. You make your way along the beach, and when you see your stairs, you ascend them.

You take a deep breath when you reach the top of the stairs. You take a moment to remember, you can return to the beach anytime you wish. You may return to the tidal pool any time you want. You can go back to see your favorite childhood toy at any time.

You carry these thoughts with you as you make your way back to your white light. You take a deep breath, step into your light, and when you are ready, you open your eyes.

The Toy meditation was among the first I had ever experienced on my own. While I enjoyed the sensations along the way, coming to the toy and witnessing something I had forgotten for decades did give the visualization true meaning to me. I saw a rather pathetic toy. It was a plastic horse from a cowboys and Indians play set. My older brother had given it to me because the tail had been broken off it. What amazed me was the fact that I had been given that horse when I was three years old, and had lost it when I was only four.

The meditation gave me a sense of what new things I might experience while exploring meditation, and a familiarity with the emotions it could stir. I understood at once that I could find comfort and release. I knew I had a great deal to learn and I knew I would be ready for the next journey. The next visualization I will share with you will be one that is about healing.