Silent Retreat

It is dusk here in Landes Forest, deep in the woodlands of southwest France. Row after row of majestic oak and pine trees stretch up to the night sky. The mosaic of fallen autumn leaves covers the ground below. Just past the tree line, a small river zig zags through the brush following the curve of a well worn dark path. The air here is peaceful and calm. One can easily feel at home in this space. It almost feels as if nature itself is inviting you to stay the night and enjoy the sights and sounds it has to offer. But before we take our place for the evening, let's settle in with 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 are 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 know more. A gentle rustling is heard from a nearby bush just beyond the trail's edge. A small orange fox emerges from the treeline and ambles onto the dirt path, sniffing the ground with a relaxed curiosity. At this time of night, one would expect the fox to be out hunting for its next meal. But this particular fox seems to have other plans in mind. It trots lazily from one tree to the other, smelling the bark and rustling the dried leaves beneath its paws. It chitters happily to itself as the leaves gives a satisfying crunch. Soon, another young fox emerge from the same bush, clearly looking for its sibling. The two notice one another and share an excited greeting. The first fox chases the other down the trail, hopping up and down on the bed of fallen leaves in delight of the run. They roll and tumble through the tall grass, playfully nipping at one another, and then dart back into the treeline. The sound of their cheerful leaps slowly fades into the distance before disappearing completely. Soon, all that can be heard is the natural breathing of the forest, gentle currents of wind whistling through the treetops, and the calming song of crickets. In the distance, at the highest point in the forest, a...