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. In the valley below the train tracks, you see a sunny bustling city. Buildings rise into the sky like the jagged edge of a key. Gray highways thread throughout the city. From this distance, the cars are just little flashes of light. In fact, the whole place seems to glow orange, from windows of apartments to mirrors on cars, let alone the great skyscrapers made of bright metal and glass. The city appears hazy and mesmerizing with all this reflected sunlight. Yet even the tallest building is tiny compared to the mountain looming over the city. Dark gray rocks at the bottom shift into a peak of evergreen trees at the tree line far above the neighborhoods and roads. The drain line looks as though a pine reef wraps around the mountain. And on the very top of the mountain, you can see snow, icy white snow. Even as the city below shines with spring heat, misty clouds swirl in the sky. It could be snowing even now. You smell the ocean before you can see any water. Through the window vent, a salty breeze enters your compartment, fluttering the red velvet curtains. The train curves around a bend in the tracks. The landscape opens and blue fills your vision....