Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Mysterious Lighthouse by the Sea

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Starting point is 00:00:48 Did you know, our company Slumber Studios also has a sleep app called Slumber, with thousands of episodes including stories, meditations, sounds, landscapes, music and audio books, it has a huge variety of sleep-inducing content, and we add new episodes every single day. You can search by narrator, hear episodes you won't find on Get Sleepy, and even customize your background sounds to create your own perfect mix. As a listener of Get Sleepy, you can unlock all of the content in the app free for one month. Just go to slumber.fm.fm slash get sleepy. That's slumber.fm slash get sleepy for instant access to all of the content in slumber, free for one month. Welcome to get sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy.

Starting point is 00:01:53 I'm your host, Thomas. It is so wonderful to have your company. Tonight's intriguing, dreamy story was written by Angela, and I thoroughly enjoyed recording it for you all. Shortly, we'll embark on a relaxing journey to a small seaside town in England. It's a place where many unexplained events have occurred. Some folks tell stories of a mysterious lighthouse by the sea. It supposedly appears on the headland on certain days of the year, but only to those who are awake enough to see it. Others speak of the lighthouse keeper that lives there with his friendly dog.

Starting point is 00:02:51 He's a wise and kind man, who may be as old as time itself. I really do think you'll enjoy this one. So, settle yourself in and make sure you're as cozy as can be. Embrace that autumnal feeling of comfort and warmth, particularly now that you're in bed as you breathe in and out. Just acknowledge how well you've done today. Whatever came your way, you dealt with it all, and you made it through to the other side. You are resilient, strong, talented and beautifully

Starting point is 00:03:53 unique. And the world is lucky to have you in it. Even if things didn't go completely as you'd hoped today, be gentle on yourself and accept that what is done is done. You can rest well now, knowing that tomorrow offers a fresh start and a chance to make amends or try again if you feel inclined to do so. To my mind, so long as we live our lives genuinely with the best intentions, and we aim to care for those around us as warmly and kindly as we can, trying our best to stay true to what we know feels right in our heart, then no one can ask any more of us. Of course, your perspective may be a little different to mine,

Starting point is 00:04:58 but that's okay. And I also realise life is challenging, and maintaining those expectations of ourselves can quite easily slip, particularly if we're dealing with difficult emotion or circumstances. But ultimately, I know the vast majority of us are doing our best to live as well and as fairly as we can. So, as you take another deep breath, give yourself a quiet, well done, either verbally or just in your mind. You made it through another day. And now it's your chance

Starting point is 00:05:52 to rest and reset. So, simply listen to the sound of my voice as we take a trip to a charming coastal town in England. This is where our story begins. It's a rainy evening in the small seaside town. It's only around 8pm. But the sky is already quite dark, and grey storm clouds fill the atmosphere. You are standing by the seafront on the promenade, gazing out towards the water and listening to the sounds of the waves. You watch as they crash onto the rocks and against the harbour wall. On your face, you can fill tiny particles.

Starting point is 00:07:27 of salty sea spray. They drift in the wind, sprinkling softly onto your face, cleansing and refreshing your skin. The rest of your body is encased in waterproof clothing, keeping you dry and cozy. Behind you, a never-ending row of pastel-colored houses stretches out along the promenade for a As far as the eye can see, one shop in the centre of the street remains open. It is said to be the oldest shop in town, run by the same family for four generations. It sells traditional fish and chips. Tonight, the shop is illuminated with a bright fluorescent white light. From where you stand, you can see inside.

Starting point is 00:08:48 The interior is small, with glass cases on the counter, displaying tasty morsels. Comfort food, perfect for rainy evenings such as this. Behind the counter, white-tiled walls display old posters, parking back to the seaside resort's heyday. A few formica tables are arranged inside, and a small black and white television flickers on a shelf in the corner. A handful of people are standing in a queue, waiting to place their orders. The comforting aroma of frying potatoes reaches your,

Starting point is 00:09:49 nostrils. A familiar scent, which evokes a sense of nostalgia. On the promenade, puddles gather at your feet, as the rain continues to pour in the distance. You can hear a deep rumble of thunder. You turn your attention to the headland on your right. It juts out like a long finger. Pointing into the wild sea, a winding stone staircase carved into the cliff face usually allows visitors to reach the summit. But tonight, it is closed due to the weather, a little further along the cliffside to the right of the steps. An old Victorian tram station is still open. The historic tram is said to have been constructed in the late 1800s. It is still used to transport passengers to the headland,

Starting point is 00:11:20 where they can enjoy picnics and marvel at the far-reaching views. As you walk towards the tram station in the rain, You notice that the evening has a strange atmosphere. Like something is shifting in the environment, a bit like static electricity in the air, you find yourself feeling a sense of anticipation and start to believe that something magical is about to happen. It was on this very evening, just. one year ago that the mysterious lighthouse was said to have appeared on the headland to an elderly

Starting point is 00:12:23 lady walking her dog. When asked about her experience, she mentioned that the lighthouse keeper was much older than was humanly possible, and she described to the interior of the lighthouse, as being filled with ancient treasures from faraway lands, which are not detailed on any maps. Many people that heard her story couldn't believe it was true. They put it down to the musings of an eccentric woman with an overactive imagination. However, others felt that there was something vaguely familiar about her story. As you stand at the tram station, you find yourself wondering if the mysterious lighthouse and its keeper will appear to you. The station is compact in design, with two rail tracks in front, a kiosk for tickets, and a turnstile for entry. A sleepy-looking,

Starting point is 00:13:56 man with a handlebar mustache sits in the kiosk. He is dressed in an old-fashioned uniform, maroon with gold buttons to match the colors of the tram. A transistor radio in leather casing plays soft classical music. The sound resonates throughout the station. A melodic piece, featuring a piano and violin. As you approach, the man nods and smiles. And without saying a word, he hands you a ticket, pushing through the turnstile. You step towards the single carriage. The tram looks almost brand new, as if it was built recently, not over a, century ago. The paintwork on the exterior is glossy and polished, sprayed with fresh raindrops from its recent descent down the cliff face. Long windows span the carriage, and the name of the

Starting point is 00:15:31 tram, the griffon, decorates the side. It is symbolized by a golden-winged creature in flight. You are the only passenger to climb aboard tonight. The interior of the tram is warm. It's vanished with smooth wooden benches and brass poles have been installed for those preferring to stand. You take a seat and the door closes behind you with a resounding swish. The tram jerks and soon. The tram jerks and slowly begins to ascend upwards, along the track to the top of the cliff. Through the rain-stained window, the seaside town appears smaller. Almost miniature in size, the raindrops trickle down the glass, making weaving patterns as the tram moves. The expanse of sea is a deep shade of midnight. blue. It blends into the sky, becoming a plain, dark canvas. A long rumble thunder brings you back

Starting point is 00:17:18 to the present moment. It's followed by a sharp bolt of crackling fork lightning. The bright white of the charge momentarily lights up the surface of the sea, before disappearing into the night once more. The tram screeches to a standstill at the Headland Station, and you press the bottom by the door to disembark, stepping outside again. You realize that the air feels much cooler and calmer on the cliff top, and the rain is abating slightly. The atmosphere feels very different to that of the town below. Looking around, you can see several gas lanterns lighting up the grassy headland. To your right, a small cafe and gift shop stand. Both closed for the evening. The window is decorated with creative displays of pretty ceramic mugs and watercolor paintings of the sea.

Starting point is 00:18:57 escape. You follow the pathway to the opposite side of the cliff. As you reach the edge, gazing out to sea, you find yourself wondering how explorers must have felt in days of old, setting out from the harbor on their wooden ships in search of new uncharted lands. Below the cliff, powdery sand dunes shape shift with the wind. They sweep down to long stretches of beach. In summer months, the area would be filled with tourists soaking up the sunshine. Swarms of people building sandcastles, surfing and swimming. As you continue to walk along the path, You glance at a Victorian clock attached to one of the raw-tion gas lamps. The time is a quarter past nine, and there is no mysterious lighthouse on the headland,

Starting point is 00:20:33 as the next tram isn't due to arrive for 15 minutes. You look at the local history embossed on the signs. One story tells of a wooden galleon. ship that was wrecked on the rocks hundreds of years ago, the captain and his faithful hound survived, along with several chests of ancient treasures, which were said to have washed up on the shore. As you read the story, you can hear the sound of the tram rattling along the tracks. The lighthouse has not appeared. So you decide to return to the town below, just as you are about to enter the station.

Starting point is 00:21:40 You sense something happening on the headland behind you. The faint sound of a bell echoes in the night air. You turn to see vague outlines appearing, almost like a hologram. Flickering at first, you gently rubbed. your eyes to check that you're not dreaming. And then you see it a magnificent towering lighthouse, appearing before your very eyes. It's a huge structure painted in white with three blue stripes around the middle. Its powerful beam casts strands of light out to sea for miles around. From the outside, it looks like any other lighthouse. It appeared out of nowhere,

Starting point is 00:22:58 but it looks real, as if it's always been here, and you just hadn't seen it. Around the base, carefully tended gardens contain vegetable patches and exotic flowers, unfamiliar trees, with puzzle-like branches are wrapped in twinkling yellow lights. They blossom with rare fruit species that wouldn't typically grow in this part of the world. You notice that a full moon has now appeared, and the earlier storm clouds have vanished. The moon shines on the surface of the sea, along with the rotating lighthouse beam. Together, their lights dance upon the water, each performing their own synchronized routine, like a beautifully choreographed ballet. Nearby, next to a patch of land growing herbs, you catch sight of a man and his dog. The little dog has a

Starting point is 00:24:34 coat of caramel-colored fur. It appears to listen intently, tilting its head to one side. As the man speaks in a language you don't understand, the man, whom you assume to be the lighthouse keeper, is tall and sturdy. He has long grey hair, tied back to prevent it from entangling in the wind. He wears a thick, cable-knit sweater, the style a fisherman would wear, along with heavy-duty trousers. He walks barefoot on the grass. The man senses your presence and turns to face you. You notice that his bright eyes crinkle as he smiles, and his face. and his face is weather-worn and tanned. He greets you by name in your own language

Starting point is 00:25:58 and says that he has been expecting you. You find yourself wondering if you know the man and his dog from another place and time. They seem familiar. The man lets out a tinkling laugh. And as if reading your mind, he says that, yes, you have indeed met. A long, long time ago, the little dog nudges your leg and points to the lighthouse with his paw. As if inviting you inside, you follow the dog as the man gathers his freshly picked herbs

Starting point is 00:26:58 and places them in a basket. The lighthouse door is a huge wooden structure. As if it was made for a giant, the dog pushes it open effortlessly, and you step inside. You are greeted with a sight that you could never have imagined. The ground floor appears frozen in time. There are ancient maps on the wall, surrounding the staircase that leads up to other levels. The maps aren't posters or reproductions. They've been carefully hand-painted onto the walls of the lighthouse, like frescoes. You notice that there are lands and islands that you have never seen or even heard of before. The lighthouse keeper places his basket.

Starting point is 00:28:17 of herbs on a table and observes you in silence, smiling. You touch the maps, tracing your fingers along the ice-cold walls. The friendly dog bounds up the winding staircase with ease. You follow him and the man to the first level. It's a circular room with stained glass windows. It weren't visible from the exterior. The room contains no furniture. But as the moon reflects its powerful light through the stained glass, it lights up like a kaleidoscope of different colors. You slowly step into each color.

Starting point is 00:29:27 First yellow, then green, then blue. blue, purple, and finally, gold. You close your eyes, taking a deep breath in and back out again. As you do, it feels like your entire body is being recharged and repaired. A sense of happiness and well-being flows through you, like you're fully healing from the inside out. You open your eyes and watch as the lighthouse keeper does the same. He holds his arms outstretched, as strands of golden light envelop him. It looks like he's being wrapped in the warm embrace of the sun. You continue on to the second floor, up the winding stairs. Upon arrival, you can see desks scattered with different and unusual technologies. They look like ancient artefacts that existed centuries ago. While appearing oddly familiar

Starting point is 00:31:10 at the same time, you pause to look at one piece. A marble tube. With unusual lettering on it, the lighthouse keeper sighs and tells you that it was an early prototype from the time of the pyramids. As you turn to look at him, he laughs and says that, yes, he is old. But not that old. You find yourself mesmerized by everything around you on the walls leading up. to the third level, there are projections. They show black and white moving images of grand structures with ornate domes and spires, and airships that float across the skies above them,

Starting point is 00:32:26 as you reach the third floor of the lighthouse. You realize that this must be the main lounge. It's the coziest and quirkiest room that you have ever seen. Everything about it has the look and feel of an old wooden galleon ship. Fishing nets are draped around an arched window. A ship's wheel is displayed beside it, and the walls and floors of this level are all paneled with oak wood. The little dog is cut. up in a ball, asleep on a sea-green velvet sofa.

Starting point is 00:33:25 In front of the sofa is a glass-top table embedded with a giant north-pointing compass, two painted porcelain cups and a matching teapot filled with a warming drink, have been placed on the table. sit on the sofa as the man pours a vibrant purple liquid into the cups. The smell is divine, a blend of roses, fruit, herbs and spices. You take a moment to inhale the fragrance. Before savouring your first sip, it tastes delicious. The keeper says that you must be wondering why and how the lighthouse appeared to you, you find yourself nodding while sipping your drink. He tells you that human consciousness only recognizes a very narrow band of frequency,

Starting point is 00:34:54 but as you continue to awaken, your mind and perception of reality expand. You'll begin to see much more around you. And the lighthouse is only the beginning. You look around the interior. There is something homely about this place. And something very familiar about the man and his dog. Again, as if reading your mind, he tells you not to worry, that someday soon it will all make sense.

Starting point is 00:35:45 you sip your drink while the wise man talks in a soothing tone about the old painted maps, the ancient technology, and the domed buildings that you saw on the walls. The little dog lying beside you yawns, opens one eye and stretches out his paws, before falling back into a deep slumber and gently snoring. You sit in comfortable silence for a few moments, gazing out of the arched window as the lighthouse beam scans the sea, a distant bell rings. The astronomical wall clock states that it's ten minutes to midnight.

Starting point is 00:36:53 The lighthouse keeper says that they must go, but one day you will meet again. In another place, at a time when the stars align, you nod, taking one last look around the lighthouse before descending the stairs. The little dog jumps off the sofa and follows you both. outside. The lighthouse keeper has a few more words of wisdom for you before you leave. He tells you that the answers you seek will come when you least expect them. He wishes you well. And as you exit the lighthouse, slowly piece by piece, the plants and trees in the garden, begin to disappear as you wander back to the station to catch the last tram of the evening.

Starting point is 00:38:24 You look behind you to see the lighthouse flickering, like a hologram, slowly fading into the ether. In the town, you can hear the clock faintly striking the first stroke of twelve. The guard begins to close up the station for the evening. As you board the last tram, you look back at the headland and the mysterious lighthouse by the sea. But it has already gone. Returned to the place from whence it came, as you descend to the cliffside in the tram. You find yourself feeling happy and joyful. You begin to wonder if you have just dreamed the entire experience, placing your hand inside the pocket of your jacket.

Starting point is 00:39:46 You feel something that wasn't there earlier. It's a hand-carved wooden lighthouse. And a note that says, This is just the beginning of your great adventure. You smile and bid the stationmaster good night as you exit the tram. The sea is calm and the rain is no longer falling. The sky is illuminated by a bright full moon. You stop by the water's edge on the promenade and glance back towards.

Starting point is 00:40:41 the cliff top, as expected, there is nothing there, with a spring in your step and hope in your heart. You slowly make your way back towards the seafront house where you are staying. Opening the door, you remove your waterproof jacket and hang your keys on the hook before wearily climbing the stairs. As you change into your soft, cozy pajamas, you place the wooden lighthouse on the bedside table, climbing into the warm bed. You snuggle beneath the quilt.

Starting point is 00:41:45 The night is calm and still, as you let your body sink into the mattress and gently close your eyes. Ready for sleep as you become drowsy. You're reminded of the magical evening that you just experienced, the wise lighthouse keeper. It was possibly as old as time, a nameless man with a twinkling laugh and the kindest eyes.

Starting point is 00:42:28 You recall the friendly little dog nudging open the giant door and bounding up the stairs. You remember the ancient maps, the stained glass windows, and the delicious drink sipped from a porcelain cup in a room that looked like the helm of a ship as you begin your night-time voyage into a world of dreams. The carved wooden lighthouse casts a bright beam of light onto the bedroom wall, but you don't even notice, for you are already fast asleep.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Mysterious Lighthouse by the Sea

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