Peace, as elusive as it can be on a macro scale, is oftentimes attainable with three simple elements: a comfortable chair, a glass of something within easy reach, and a good book. The difficulty of holding the tenuous balance of a yoga pose forces one to focus mind and body on that one action. If the mind wanders, so too does the body, and suddenly there's that worn out spot on your mat, and oh hell - everyone just saw that didn't they? You topple not just out of your pose, but back into reality. For the moments before, though, there was only the confluence of mind and body floating in a meditative innerspace. Withdrawn from the world's nettlesome preoccupations, there was peace. Similarly, good stories allow us to disengage from reality; to take a restful break from life. Actively experiencing food and drink, really thinking about what you taste, also takes focus. 

Have you noticed the black IPA trend lately? They're sometimes called Cascadian ales, but many brewers are experimenting with this hybrid style of beer which combines dark, roasted malts with punchy American hops, but leaves out the weighty feel of malty beers or getting too incisive with the hops. They're light dark beers. Check out Stone Sublimely Self Riteous or Pitch Black IPA from Widmer and you'll know what I'm talking about. Brewers, both those who actually make the beer and the executives who oversee them, seem to be trying to fill a market niche, which is how we ended up with Guinness Black Lager.