Material World

Welcome back to night town. We're so glad you're here. The moon is rising over material world, casting a warm glow over the river that runs outside the entrance of Mr. Singh's fabric shop. A light breeze is blowing through the large, wide windows flung open to let in the sounds of the calm summer evening. The crickets are just beginning their sweet night song. Before we explore the shop, let's pause for a brief 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 the 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 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. Lustrous silks twirl upwards towards the ceiling, draped from floor to ceiling on spiral racks. There are lengths of charmeuse, chiffon, organza, and satin. A rolling wooden ladder runs the length of one wall of the store, and from the top, you can reach the highest silks. These are sheer, almost transparent, and they glow like honey in the light from the lamps. There are silks, the color of gold ruby, and rose, jewel tones that call to mind the palaces of Jaipur. They flutter against one another each time the door opens or a cool breeze blows in through the windows. Closer to the bottom of the spiral, the silks are thick and hand woven with intricate patterns depicting scenes from nature. These are some of the finest silks in the world that Mr. Singh has collected on his travels to Hangzhou and Nanjang. They were inspired by the clouds and by the beauty of nature itself. They're used for many things: clothes, furniture, and even dance. In a far off city, an aerialist slips her foot into a long length of silk, and lifts herself, spinning into the air. Rolls of multicolored rugs lean against the wall on the left-hand side of the store. There are handwoven rugs from Morocco and vivid Persian rugs from Iran. There are tapestries from Italy and Peru. There are big stacks of large rectangular rugs piled five feet high. A customer is leafing through them, lifting the heavy corners, considering the different patterns and colors. Each rug has its own handwoven...