The Path to the Mountain Lake

This episode is read by a voice created with artificial intelligence. A person prepared and approved the text.

Good evening. Today is behind you now. There is nothing else that needs doing.

Settle in comfortably and let your shoulders drop. Together, we will take a short walk to a lake that lies high up in the mountains.

The path begins behind the last cottage in the village. It is narrow, laid with fine gravel, and it climbs only gently. Tall grass grows on both sides. It is early evening, and the air smells of hay and wood.

You walk slowly. There is nowhere to hurry to. Each step is a little lighter than the one before.

Around the bend, an old larch forest is waiting. Between the trunks it is quiet; only somewhere high above, a branch stirs. The ground beneath your feet is soft, covered in needles, and it muffles every sound.

Little by little the forest thins, and the water appears between the trees. The lake is as still as a mirror. It holds the last light of the day, and the first star.

On the shore stands a wooden bench. You sit down and lean back. The wood is still warm from the sun.

The water touches the stones gently. It comes in, and it goes out. It comes in, and it goes out.

Wind-down at the end

Now try breathing as slowly as the water. Breathe in, and a long breath out. Breathe in, and a long breath out.

Above the lake, more and more stars appear. One, two, three. You don’t need to count them. It is enough to know they are there.

Your arms are heavy and warm. Your legs are heavy and warm. Your eyelids are heavy.

The lake will stay right here. You can come back whenever you like.

Now just rest. Good night.