Crystal Shop

Hello, and welcome back to everybody's favorite crystal shop in the valley. Such a special place to retreat to. This charming little cabin sits at the foot of a hill, close to the root of the night train and not far from town. If you were to climb the hill after dark and look out at the view, you'd see a dreamy network of lights marking out the streets below. But you might prefer to stay here among the rocks and gemstones, listening to the gentle tinkle of wind chimes and the softest music that one can hardly describe, except to say that it feels like the sonic equivalent of clouds passing by. But first, let's briefly pause for a wind-down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you are ready, let's begin. First, get yourself comfortable. And now, bringing the attention to the breath. Just noticing where you feel it, in the nose, the throat, the chest, or the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath. In for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin. In for four. Two, three, four. Hold it for four. Two, three, four. Now, breathing out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four. Two, three, four. Holding for four. Two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four. Two, three, four. Holding for four. Two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four. Two, three, four. Holding for four. Two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now, returning the breath to normal. At the back of the crystal shop, there's a door leading to what the staff jokingly refer to as the Consulting Room. It's where any customer looking for tailored advice can find out more about the rocks and gems that interest them. The person who dispenses this advice is a man named Gene, a retired geologist who has a long, white beard and looks like a cross between a biker and wizard. In a way, he's both. You might have seen his motorcycle out front on your way in. Tonight, Gene is talking to a young woman named Harmony. She's a dancer and choreographer who lives with her small daughter in a boat on a stretch of river just the other side of the hill. Harmony has been working on a new dance piece based on the rock cycle, the process by which types of rocks are formed. She wants to give a gemstone to the other choreographer she's working with as a memento of their collaboration. Gene nods appreciatively as Harmony demonstrates the opening steps. They talk a little and then Gene goes out into the store and returns with a small basket containing several gleaming tumble stones. Harmony selects a small, dark pebble-like crystal with a white band across it, like the...