Himalayan Mist

The Himalayas are home to many mountain cottages and inns, but this one in particular is a gem. A quiet, old place nestled in a beautiful garden that is right now being watered by gentle rain. In the corner of the garden, a small bonfire crackles and smokes in the drizzle. But under the porch's canopy, all is snug and dry. It's a wonderful place to enjoy the view before you head inside for the night. A steaming cup of tea awaits you next to the cottage's porch swing. And by the door, a wicker basket holds a collection of shawls and blankets. Feel free to take one. The fabrics are all luxuriously soft and range in color from turmeric yellow to a pink so faint it seems it might've been dyed by accident. The rain is light and allows for some stargazing still. But before we look to the skies, let's take a moment for a short wind-down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it in the nose, the throat, the chest, 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 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. The tea estate is contoured along the hillside. Elegantly trimmed tea trees seeming to gently cascade down and then curve upwards again. The trees are trimmed into bushes at waist height. It's like wading in a sea of bright, lime-colored leaves. There are paths made for people to pick the leaves, although no one is at work today. The hills belong just to you right now. The company of nature is all yours. Something rustles amidst the leaves in the near distance. There's a large shape moving through the tea bushes, ambling slowly, and then magnificently the shape comes into full view. It is an elephant, a smallish one as far as elephants go, and female if we have guessed correctly. She runs her trunk along the top of the bushes as though enjoying the feel of the leaves. She's a grayish-brown color, and her tail is constantly on the move, swinging back and forth. It creates the impression that she's joyous and curious. Her herd doesn't seem to be nearby. But perhaps she is like you,...