The intrinsic pull of water

Water is essential for life on Earth. Its importance can not be overestimated, nor the fact that clean water is one of the limiting resources that affects our quality of life. Two billion people lack access to "safely managed drinking" water. As important as drinking water is to our physiology, being immersed in water is equally important to our psyche. There is an evolutionary connection with water and its vital role in the development of biological life that draws us to it. Water is life, life is water. Blue mind is a movement that developed out of this recognition, and was popularized in part by the book of the same title. Blue mind is characterized as a meditative state that comes on when one is in or near water. Blue mind therapy promotes the connections that water plays in our mental well-being and provides ways people can use water to improve their health.

There are intrinsic biological properties that subtend our physiology such as the pH level of water. Life exists at a rather restricted zone of pH balance (7.4 for human beings) which is remarkably in-tune with Earth's frequency, thought to be 7.83Hz. The pH of the oceans mark at a slightly higher range of 8.1pH, supporting the most varied spectrum of living creatures, a living system in and of itself (pH has gone up slightly over time). Blue mind highlights intrinsic properties of water (and biological life) that draw us to spend exorbitant amount of financial energy towards the end goal of being around, on or in water. I don't have access to natural water as some do, so I take therapeutic showers and relish the feel of warm water on my skin. I share this to point out the various connections that reveal our ties to nature and our need for recharges that involve water sources. We know that drinking plenty of water is essential to our mental health, as much as it is for our biochemistry and proper organ functioning. Being in water provides nourishment for our mind, body and energetic layer.

The goal is to move our bodies in natural environments to gain the greatest recharge at the bioelectric level. So many activities provide that outlet, sports among them. Going for a hike provides a plethora of healthy interactions throughout our mind, body and energetic levels of being. Visual stimulation and physical exertion engage our neuropathways (through neurotransmitters) to release dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline that boost mood; and extended exercise leads to a release of endorphins to produce a euphoric feeling. The natural environment guides us to reflect on the grandeur of our world developing our cosmic consciousness, that allows us to dissociate, dissolve our ego boundaries in a spiritual renewal. This allows for more awareness of our energetic layers of being that are in direct energy exchange with the environment, a direct line of recharge from our world. Physical exercise increases our heart rate to engage our metabolic systems and physically stretches out our limbs to strengthen our skeletal system. And it goes beyond our physiology.

Exercise also engages the frontal regions of the brain and our amygdala, that part of our brain that regulates emotions. We get grounded and often feel calmer in nature, allowing for greater self-reflection, or deep think in general. A nature bath (an intentional, meditative relationship with the natural surroundings that generally spans 3-4 hours) is a superb source of rejuvenation for all of our senses. The physical exercise provides stimulation and recharge at all levels of our body and brain chemistry. The beauty and the reflection of our place in the larger context of the universe leads to awe and wonder providing a spiritual recharge. And whenever a creak or a waterfall appears, it fills us with a deeper connection and appreciation with our environment. Water provides so much in the many ways it nourishes our senses, and how it allows us to escape our world when we dive in. Blue mind overcomes us and we can dissolve into a flow-state just by floating in a lagoon, or simply listening to a waterfall with our eyes closed.

The ocean provides an even more powerful punch to our existential being when faced with the vast expanse and the dark abyss that dwarfs us. The knowledge we have yet to discover in the landscape that shapes our ocean floors and processes that subtend life within it is beyond humbling. The fascination that marine life holds is precious in its variety and magnificence. And the free-flow state being in the ocean induces lets the boundary between one's self and nature dissolve with the pull water has on our psyche. Then of course, there's the sheer fun we have in water, and on water crafts of all types as a testament to the connections we have formed over time. Not to mention the driving mechanism behind of the development of human civilizations (all taking place next to water sources).

These very coastal cities and water-based regions are now the most threatened by pollution and sea-level rise around the globe. Each city must take eco-measures to incorporate the powers of nature (stronger storms) and fragile water systems into city planning, developing environmental infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change. At a larger scale, we must all take action to save our oceans from ourselves, from the polluting activities that have led to islands of drifting plastic strangling our marine life, known as the eastern and western pacific garbage patches. Reducing single use plastic containers is one small way to make a difference. There are many ways to make an impact in our oceans' life. We must recognize the ocean as a larger "living" system that has come into evolutionary balance to support life until our co-creative species began to reshape our blue planet. These same co-creative powers can bring renewal to our oceans and an investment in our natural spaces around the globe with a holistic vision.

There are solutions to our growing plastic pollution that threatens more than just marine life, and it begins with awareness of the interconnected issues. As with the environmental crisis in general, women suffer disproportionately as they make up the thread of social webs in vulnerable communities. A holistic worldview brings into sharp focus the integral aspect of natural spaces for wellness at all levels of self-development and for all living beings, as well as for a healthy and just society. A curist mind-frame honors our role in the world as co-creators, and the responsibility that it entails, to bring synergistic interactions into play to restructure how we live, how we organize our living spaces, urban planning, national infrastructure, green technologies that are justly implemented (to protect rather than exploit vulnerable communities) and the list goes on. Curist Mind urges the protection of the very resources in our world that support life, sustain biodiversity, and improve quality of life, leading to healthier and happier communities around the world. Clean water is principle among them.