Five Seconds of Zen
“Just me and the water and the deepest blue sky above…”
It was the first time I had gone swimming. I wasn’t scared of the water but there was apprehension about going under and not getting my breath. So when my friend who was helping me learn to float told me to dunk my head in I looked at her disbelievingly. All she said was, “Relax. Let go. And you will float.” But I couldn’t. I could feel my body dropping like dead weight the moment I shook off any support.
And then it happened. I was lying on my back kicking lightly with my legs and holding on with one hand on the rail with my friend holding me up with a palm on my back. With sufficient support I let go. Yes it’s paradoxical but I let go enough to lay my head back into the water. My ears got covered and that’s when my zen moment happened.
Everything shut out. Boys landing in the water with a splash, mothers holding burbling babies, women paddling around. It was as if I had suddenly pressed the mute button. I could only hear the deep, throaty murmur of the water around me. Just me and the water and the deepest blue sky above. Complete oneness. Peace. Five, four, three, two, one and snap! I was above the water again, back in the chaos around. Back to life. I had five seconds of zen. Where I floated to oblivion.
By Swati
“In solitude, where we are least alone” – Lord Byron
Hi my name is Swati and I am from India. I stay in Bangalore. I love writing, making photos, travelling and everything that has a pinch of zen.
Kindly contributed to Zen Moments by the author.
Photo: Swimming Pool by metamerist
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I love that! short and sweet… just like the zen moment itself ~ lovely!
thank you for sharing!
Sharon Corsaro
http://growing-gold.com