Julie Jewels Smoot

You were born into a body before you ever learned to judge it. Before you knew what a clothing size was. Before you understood beauty standards. Before you compared your shape to someone else's. Before anyone told you what was attractive, acceptable, feminine, masculine, strong, weak, young, old, beautiful, or imperfect.

The Temple Within is a collection of guided meditations created to encourage a gentle return to your body through presence, compassion, and self-acceptance. Rather than asking you to change or become something different, these meditations offer a quiet space to reconnect with yourself at your own pace.

As you explore sound alchemy, remember that your experience is unique. There is no right or wrong way to engage. The key is to listen to your body and intuition. Notice what feels good. Notice what brings you peace. You might find that certain sounds resonate more deeply with you. Or that some techniques help you relax better than others. This is your personal rhythm emerging. Trust it.

A serene stack of stones balances on a tranquil beach as the sun sets over the ocean, symbolizing peace and healing.

A person practices gentle somatic movement on a yoga mat, focusing on mindful body awareness in a serene, sunlit room.

A woman meditates peacefully by the lakeside, embraced by the warm glow of the setting sun, finding serenity and mindfulness in nature's embrace.

Creating Compassionate Boundaries: A serene setting for guided meditation encourages therapists and helping professionals to maintain empathy without personal depletion.

Take a moment to settle into a position that feels comfortable and supportive. Whether you are seated or lying down, allow your body to rest exactly as it is. There is nowhere you need to go. Nothing you need to accomplish. Nothing you need to become. For these next few moments...

Whether you are seated or lying down, allow your body to settle naturally. There is nowhere you need to be. Nothing you need to accomplish. This is a space where your imagination is free to wander. If it feels comfortable, gently close your eyes. Or soften your gaze. Take a slow breath in... And gently breathe out.

No amount of self-care can fully compensate for living in a place where my boundaries are routinely ignored. As someone living with Complex PTSD, trauma is not simply a memory of what happened years ago. Trauma also lives in my body. My nervous system is constantly evaluating whether the present moment is safe or unsafe. Every interaction either reinforces safety or reminds my body to stay on alert.

Take a moment to settle into a position that feels comfortable for your body. Allow yourself to arrive without rushing. There is nowhere else you need to be. Nothing you need to accomplish. Nothing you need to become. Simply arriving is enough. As the first gentle tones of the Venus Gong begin to resonate, notice how the sound gently fills the space around you.

As the soothing vibrations continue, consider the word softness. Many people have been taught that softness means weakness. That kindness means giving too much. That gentleness leaves us vulnerable. Today, let those ideas drift away like clouds moving across an open sky. Softness is not weakness. A flower bends with the wind instead of breaking.

There is no need to reach for it. No need to follow it. Simply receive. Take a slow, comfortable breath. Notice the air entering your body. Notice it leaving again. Your breath has always known its rhythm. Today, allow yourself to trust it.

You may even choose to keep your eyes open if that feels more supportive. There is no perfect posture. There is no right way to listen. Simply arriving is enough. As the first gentle tones of the Venus Gong begin to resonate, allow yourself to notice the sound without trying to follow it. The vibration arrives. It lingers.

Nothing to prove. Nothing to become. Simply breathing. Simply being. As your breathing settles into its natural rhythm, bring your awareness to the fact that every person carries experiences that have shaped them.

Notice the support beneath you. Notice the weight of your body being held. Notice that in this moment, you do not have to carry everything alone. Allow your attention to settle into the natural rhythm of your breathing. There is no need to control it. No need to make it deeper. Simply notice.

Find a position that feels comfortable for you today. You may choose to sit, lie down, or rest in whatever way allows your body to feel supported. There is nowhere you need to get to during this meditation. Nothing you need to achieve. Nothing you need to change. Simply allow yourself to arrive. Take a gentle breath in. And slowly let it go.

The Strawberry Moon reminds us that nature never rushes its cycles. Plants grow at their own pace. Seasons arrive in their own time. The moon completes its journey without comparison or urgency. We, too, can allow ourselves to move through life without demanding constant productivity or immediate transformation.

The Chiron Gong creates space for listening to what still exists beneath survival. In astrology, Chiron is often associated with the “wounded healer.” But in trauma-informed sound work, I approach Chiron differently. I do not believe every wound needs to become wisdom immediately. I do not believe pain must become purpose in order to deserve care.

Art has a way of touching the soul. It invites us to pause, to breathe, and to feel. My journey as an artist has been a gentle unfolding. It has been about discovering the quiet spaces within and sharing them with others. Through sound, energy work, and poetry, I have found a path to healing and growth. This is a story of that path, a story I hope will bring you calm and inspiration.