After inducing relaxation describe a beautiful, restful scene having driven into the mountains, Rockies, Smokies, Alps. Visualize the towering, snowcapped mountains surrounding a beautiful, clear lake. The water is clear and deep and smooth as glass. Overlooking the calm waters of this peacful lake is a picturesque Swiss chalet. A thin curl of smoke gently arises from the massive, old, stone chimney of the hospitable inn nestled on the side of a massive cliff, overlooking the lake. The chalet is made of ancient huge logs which are an invitation to the tired traveler to a tranquil rest in the mountain inn.

Describe the setting and the inn.

As you open the door you find yourself in a large, comfortable room with massive pine beams crossing the arched ceiling and low, leather couches surrounding the open fireplace. The homely Swiss innkeeper smiles at you making you feel wonderfully welcome. He agrees that you are expected, your room is ready and you know you will have a wonderful rest in this delightful hotel. You sign the register and take your key. The innkeeper tells you that your room is the second one on the left on the second floor. Tired and weary from the physical exertion of the long drive, you climb the time-worn steps sliding your hand along and pulling yourself up the polished wooden handrail as you climb up tiredly to the second floor. Walking down the hallway, you find the second door on the left, insert your key, unlock the door and step inside.

You feel the heavy door close behind you as you place the key on the dresser to your right. You notice the large comfortable bed with crisp clean white sheets and a n old fashioned down comforter. You open the french doors in front of you which lead out onto the balcony overlooking the lake. Immediately as you open the doors you feel a rush of fresch, cool, pine scented mountain air rich in ozone. You take a deep breath and step out onto the balcony, relaxing completely. Over the side of the balcony your discover three large stones and you develop and uncontrollabe urge to cast these stones into the lake.

You pick up the first stone which is so heavy it makes you even more tired. I count to five and at that count of five you throw the stone into the lake. One... Two... Three... Four... Five... and awaaaay the stone goes through the air and then -- splash -- as the stone hits the water, ripples begin spreading from the impact outward to the edge of the lake. As you stare at these ripples you become extremely drowsy and sleepy. So drowsy and sleepy that you can not stay awake, no matter how hard you try.

Every muscle in your body relaxes, your eyelids feel like lead and it takes your last ounce of strenghth to lift the second stone. As tired as your are, at the count of three you nevertheless manage to heave it into the lake. One ... Two ... Three ... and awaaay it goes -- splash! The repples start once again and change your tiredness into a deep state of natural sleep. You fall on the bed, eyes closed, unable to lift the third stone. Then, with the last ounce of strenghth, with a superhuman effort, and with both ands you lift the last stone, tossing it immediately into the lake --- splash! And before the ripples you cause have vanished and faded away you will be fast asleep.

Breathing deeply, remaining completely relaxed and fast asleep for whatever lenghth of time your body needs and requires, and when you awaken you will wake up clear-headed, refreshed and alert, feeling wonderful in every way. It may please you to notice, even though it does not happen here in the office, that whenever you meditate, whenever you concentrate on this same scene at home and you want to fall asleep, you will find that you will pleasantly surprise yourself by falling into a deep and natural sleep which is pleasant and refreshing in every way.

You may find yourself noticing the thought of the three white, water-smoothed stones resting, just resting on the bottom of a stream, caught in a landslide, exposed to the elements on a mountain, fixed in the matrix of white stone in a cliff, buried deep in the heart of the earth, and thinking of the long, millenia long, aeon long journey the stones have taken to be at your feet, resting, just resting ... when you think of the long journey of the stones, to be thrown into the water ... when you feel yourself lifting the last stone ... with the last ounce of strenghth in your body ... when you feel yourself drifing down, down through the feather bed ... endlessly