Slow Train

There's something about taking a slow train that's satisfying on a fundamental level. Okay, it's not an express, but there are no delays on the line. We're just chugging slowly through the landscape and in due course, we will arrive. There's a nice inevitability about it. Of course, one boards a train to get from A to B. That means, just by sitting in one place you're doing a perfect job. You're free to relax, enjoy the passing scenery. Everything that could be done, has been done. All that's left is the pure enjoyment of the land unrolling around you like a never-ending tapestry. To get us in the mood for this journey, I think it's always nice to begin with a little wind down. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So, when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get comfortable in your bed. 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. You know that the train is traveling quite fast, but the flat lands of the countryside are so large, it feels as though you've barely moved at all. It's so calming now to simply look out into open space. You're closer to the desert at this point in your journey. The earth is soft brown, the color of an avocado seed. Mounds of pink and orange rocks jump from the land. There are no buildings, just a few trees scattered around. There's so much possibility. The sky seems to stretch forever here. It's a lighter blue than you've ever seen before. A blue ordering on gray. The sun beams through the cloud cover adding a burst of golden light, like a squeeze of lemon. See a flock of birds take flight across the flat land. At this distance, the starlings are merely dark flecks. You can spot the individual birds, yet they swirl and loop in one coordinated mass. It's gorgeous to watch. The flat land provides so much space for these tricks. They must appreciate the open expanse too. Your room on the train resembles the inside of a jewelry box, lush and private. You lean back against your stuffed armchair. The cushions are made of red velvet with...