Friday, June 17, 2011

Up From The Ooze

Once upon a time, a fish (curious, clumsy, or desperately hungry) flung itself out of a brackish sea onto the oozy mud for the very first time. That premier fish dared the air probably for only an instant before squirming back into the sea, but its offspring dared again and again. They returned until their fins could crawl and their bodies could process air. The rest, of course, is pulmonary history.

Since the beginning, human beings have been fascinated by the mysteries and the possibilities of their own breathing. It was clear, early on, that there is more to this breathing business than a simple shuffling of air. Could it be that our gentle tide of breath provides a delicate, invisible link that connects us physically and spiritually, one to the other, and binds us, in turn, to the rhythms of our planet and our universe?

Be well. Breathe beautifully.