Showertime Meditation

One of my favourite meditations, when I’m feeling really yukky from dealing with day-to-day stuff or have had one of those days where everything seems to spark me off, is a very simple shower meditation. It’s quick and easy, and leaves me feeling very refreshed. Though it may not work for, or suit, everyone, this is how it goes:

Heathwitch’s Showertime Meditation
Before you begin, make sure you have some of your favourite shower gel to hand. Take some time slowing down and consciously removing your clothes before you head for the shower — make the act of removing your clothing one of respect and steadfastness; move slowly and consciously, aware of every brush of fabric against your skin, the way your body breathes as the clothing is removed.

When you are ready, step into the shower. Turn the shower on. Stand for a few minutes underneath the spray, eyes closed. If you can tolerate it, turn your face toward the spray and let the water beat down on you for a short while. Then just lower your face to a comfortable position and take a few breaths — in for four, hold for four, out for four, wait for four, then in for four again. Repeat this breathing pattern three more times, then settle into a rhythm that is comfortable for you.

In your mind’s eye, picture a meadow. The time of day and season are up to you. Running through the meadow is a stream, happily bubbling away across rocks and stones. You follow the stream through the meadow, alongside a rising hillside, until you come to a cove cut into the hill. The stream curves into the cove and forms a pool in its centre. Cascading down from the rocky hillside, into the pool itself, is a waterfall.

You notice a path leading around the edge of the pool and behind the waterfall, and you decide to follow it. As you step behind the waterfall, you become aware of the fresh scent of the water, and the cool sanctuary it offers. There is enough room behind the waterfall for you to stand without being in the full force of the falling water, and so you stand there, facing the natural curtain that falls before you. After a few moments you decide to step beneath the flow of the water itself, and as you do it seems that every part of your body is tingling. As the water flows around you, you notice that each droplet of water takes on a pale hint of colour — white, violet, indigo, blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, red. These colours wash over you and you feel all the rubbish that you’ve been carrying about with you of late just seeping away.

After a time the colours fade and the water runs clear — so brilliantly clear that you can’t look straight at it. You turn away to face the rockface behind the waterfall again, and, when you are ready, step out from underneath the flow of water. As you make your way out from behind the waterfall, it is as though the water has left a fluid shell around you, adhering to your skin. This quickly dries, but it doesn’t disappear — rather, it feels akin to a gentle shield between you and the negativity of the world. You feel light and comfortable and at peace. (If you want to spend some time sitting beside the pool, perhaps scrying or asking for a companion/guide/Deity to join you, now would be a good opportunity to do so.)

When you are ready, make your way back to the meadow. As you do so, you can feel yourself becoming heavier and more solid. The meadow fades, and you are back in your shower. Take a few deep breaths and shake out your limbs. Now spend some time lathering yourself down with your favourite shower gel. Really go to town on this — enjoy the process. Welcome each and every part of your body and honour it for what it does for you — your feet for keeping you connected to the earth, your legs for carrying you places, and so on. Do the same for your hair, if you wish. Finish your shower in your usual manner and then go back into the world feeling calm, refreshed and protected.

Note: If you want to make the meditation even more interesting, try showering in the dark
(but be careful not to fall over or crash into anything), or with a single candle lit in the room.

I usually preface this meditation by spritzing an essence spray — such as one of Wild Earth’s Spirit Sprays or one of Alaskan Essence’s Sacred Space Sprays — on the showerhead before I begin. Then when I turn the shower on, all the lovely essencey goodness cascades down through the water to me. Bliss!

I have also been known to run round, spritzing showerheads, when we have a houseful of people all taking showers at various times… A little balance and calmness here and there is always useful. :)