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. Flights of going birds head to their nests in formation overhead. All around, night insects begin their steady music. At the edge of the horizon, the sun is a vibrant red. It casts long beams of light up to the heavens. And this brightness illuminates the sprawling green of the garden. The clouds are a lovely shade of mauve in a marmalade sky. The canvas of the landscape simply shimmers. So do the stars above, as the gold of sunset deepens into red, and then into the darkness of the night. How can something be so tranquil, and yet so brilliant at once? The cottage itself also glows with the changing colors of twilight, from warm orange to cool purple. Different parts of the brick are illuminated in those natural hues. Gentle yellow lights come on from within the windows, and then it begins to hum, like a beacon too. The innkeeper must be making preparations for the evening. There will be an inviting feast laid out on the table. The aroma's filling the air delectably. A...