Christian writer Agnes Sanford explores the imagery of God's power as a healing light for believers suffering physically or emotionally in her spiritual classic, The Healing Light (Ballantine Books, 1972). This guided imagery meditation is based off of Sanford's concept of healing light but without any overtly religious connotations.
Why Meditate with a Pool of Light
By imaging the body soaking in a pool of light, the Healing Light Guided Imagery Meditation promotes relaxation as well as awareness of specific parts of the body, particularly those that experience pain or fatigue.
Preparing for the Healing Light Guided Meditation
Secure a time and place with no interruptions for twenty to thirty minutes. Dress comfortably, and drink a glass of water to stay hydrated. Power down all electronic devices and unplug the phone to further ensure tranquility.
Directions for Meditating with Sanford's Healing Light
Before beginning, position the body comfortably. Meditate sitting up straight, lying flat on the floor, or even standing up straight. Do whatever feels right for your body. Close your eyes and slow your breath. When breathing deeply and calmly, begin the following meditation:
- Imagine a pool of golden light directly below the soles of your feet. Stretch and wiggle your toes in the light. Stretch your feet, kick, splash, and do whatever else is comfortable for you. Notice how the pool of light warms your skin like bright sunshine.
- Now submerge your feet and ankles completely into the pool of light. Move your feet in any way comfortable for you as you focus on the light.
- Watch carefully as the light moves up your legs, ever so slowly, until it reaches your kneecaps. Feel the warmth of sunshine on your legs as you stretch and wriggle in any ways that feels good.
- Now the pool of light creeps up past your thighs, to your abdomen, and then up to your waist. Look down at the bottom half of your body, warm and bright in the light.
- As the pool of light creeps up your chest to your neck, pay special attention to your back and arms. Feel the light surging against your back, and let the muscles in your back and arms relax as the light washes all the tension away.
- As the pool of light rises up to your neck, look down at your body, glowing and beautiful in the pool of light. Let the light splash into any parts of your body that are especially vunerable to fatigue, pain, or illness.
- Now let the pool of light rise to cover your mouth, your nose, and your eyes. Let the light soak into any part of your face that feels tense.
- As the pool rises above your head, let the light soak into your head and relieve any tension at the back of your neck. Look up and see the light close in a bubble around your body.
- Now your entire body is floating in the pool of light. Breathe deeply, letting the healing light inside your body also. Imagine it caressing all of your internal organs, particularly any that give youhealth problems.
Bask in your bubble of light as long as you desire. When you are ready, open your eyes and carefully return to your day.
Variations of the Healing Light Guided Imagery Meditation
A key to meditation is making it work for you. Experiment with the following suggestions to make the most of the imaginary pool of light for your own personal needs:
- Imagine the pool of light as a ball of light instead. Use the ball of light to target specific areas of tension or pain, such as the back, hands, and knees during meditation.
- If religiously inclined, view the pool of light as the divine presence, and incorporate this meditation into your prayer life.
- Try meditating with the healing light on a beach or tanning bed, with proper skin protection, of course. Let the external heal increase the sensation of warmth created by the imagination during the meditation.
Agnes Sanford's teaching that God heals believers through a divine light has brought comfort and meaning to several generations of Christians. Through meditation, anyone can experiment with Sanford's image of warm, golden light relaxing the body and promoting inner wholeness whether religiously inclined or not.
For more guided imagery meditations, readers may enjoy the Nature Scene Meditation or the Prayer Shawl Meditation if inclined towards Christianity.
Source:
Sanford, Agnes. The Healing Light. Ballantine Books: 1972.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
