We enter the meditative state induced by counting laps, and observe the subtle play of light as the sun moves across the lanes. We sing songs, or make to-do lists, or fantasize about what we’re going to eat for breakfast. Submersion creates the space to be free, to stretch, without having to contend with constant external chatter. It creates internal quiet, too. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of them all, was found to have A.D.H.D. when he was a child; he has called the pool his “safe haven,” in part because “being in the pool slowed down my mind.”
…Five hundred lengths in a pool were never boring or monotonous; instead, Dr. Sacks writes, “swimming gave me a sort of joy, a sense of well-being so extreme that it became at times a sort of ecstasy.” The body is engaged in full physical movement, but the mind itself floats, untethered…The enforced solitude is at odds with where we are as a culture. Our gyms are full of televisions tuned to SportsCenter and cable news. We’re tethered to our devices, even at bedtime. With that pervasive lack of self-control, who has the willpower to turn off technology for any meaningful period of time? I submit: Sliding into the water is the easiest way to detach from your phone.
~ Bonnie Tsui, The Self Reflecting Pool
Photograph: Troy Jack
Reblogged this on Voice of Lesbian Senior and commented:
This I have to search …. I need to untether!
Smiling. “This I have to search” too!
TY for this post. Inspiring …. Hugs!
Makes me wish I was a better swimmer…happily tho’ I can untether easily. Put a book in my hands and a gentle breeze trying to turn the pages before I’m ready..
Gentle breeze trying to turn the pages…yes…
I’ve recently started swimming in the ocean when it is flat and calm. I feel so free and present when I swim.
Lucky you Floridian, to be able to do that…
Swimming is a wonderful haven to me to, in fact water in general seems to totally revitalize me. We have some beautiful walks around where I live each one of which comes with a wonderful stretch of water, love it 🙂
You are blessed to be surrounded by it…
Very true 🙂
And you my friend are blessed to be able to live in one of the only countries we would love dearly to emigrate to 🙂
Perhaps the grass is always greener, lol 🙂
It is, it is…
Have a great week 🙂
This is wonderfully said! The water whether a pool, lake or ocean is such a tranquil place!
It is Casie…
Reblogged this on Adventures of Pickles & Peanut.
Never knew that about Michael Phelps! I’ve added swimming to my mental list of Middle Ground experiences. 😉
It’s on my list too. And the cup overfloweth. Another thing to weigh me down. 🙂
Untethered, yes! Willpower to turn off technology, yes! Just back from 2 weeks out of the country, electronics-free – totally awesome and totally tough to reimmerse! Thanks for this post, David.
Good for you Vicki.
floating through the sensory deprivation tank.
Love the images this evokes!
This sounds wonderful and I get the concept, but I don’t swim well enough to enjoy it. (Dog paddling gets tiring… 😉 ) I find my peaceful place in yoga…
Really? Wow! I had you pegged for a great swimmer. Yoga, I can see. 🙂
[…] reblogged from David Kanigan’s Live & Learn […]
Oh, this is it! Exactly it! I’m up to 90 minutes of non-stop laps. It’s the best part of my day—moving with grace and slowing my mind. Of course I’m stealing this. Thanks, David.
90 minutes. Impressive! Enjoy Sandy…