Arabian Dusk in Abu Dhabi

(waves splashing) (crickets chirping) Near a hotel in Abu Dhabi, the coast unveils a view that seems almost suspended in time. Out on the Gulf, a handful of long, wooden sailboats drift offshore, their tall, triangular sails angled to the wind. The canvas catches the fading light, glowing in shades of tan and rose. For centuries, these vessels have crossed these waters with pearls, fish, and trade. Even now, their silhouettes against the dusky sky appear unchanged, as if they sailed straight out of another era. Before we wander around, let's take a brief moment for a wind-down exercise. For tonight's wind down, you're going to use your imagination. So get your imagination ready. And let's begin. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) So, no matter what's been going on today, whether it's been a busy day, or a calm one, this is an opportunity to put everything down, to let go of any inner chatter, and find a place of rest in both the body and the mind. So first, get yourself comfortable in bed, just taking a moment to pause and be still. And, when you're ready, take in a big, deep breath, breathing in through the nose, and out through the mouth. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) And, as you breathe out, allowing the body to sink down into your bed, feeling the weight of the body, allowing thoughts to come and go. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) Now, imagining (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) a steady flow of warm sunlight (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) flowing down through the body, dissolving any tension, any discomfort, as it begins to fill the body, starting with the toes, (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) moving up through the feet, and the legs, being filled with sunlight. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) The qualities of warmth, space, and ease, as it continues to travel up through the body, (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) up past the waist, to the back, and the stomach. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) It's as though it washes away any discomfort. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) It continues up through the chest and the back into the shoulders, and down the arms, all the way down to the hands and fingers. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) A sense of relief in the body, (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) and stillness in the mind as it continues to travel up through the neck and the throat (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) into the head and face, all the way to the very top of the body, until there's nothing other than that sense of stillness remaining. And now, just gently bringing the attention back to the body. (waves splashing continues) (crickets chirping continues) As the sun drops over the gulf, the seaside promenade sparkles along the shoreline. The beach front walkway stretches beside the sand, its path bordered by cafes, boutiques, and open-air terraces. Wide glass fronts catch the last of the light, while lantern-like strands loop between awnings,...