How can surfing and/or being in the Ocean heal, enliven, inspire, and empower us? I believe the ocean is significant as a healing tool. not just in the recreational sense, but at a body and brain level that goes really deep. When people suffer from fear, trauma, depression etc, it can take something much bigger than us to pull us into either relaxation or mindfulness.

Floating in the rocking ocean, on a board or not, probably does some interesting things in terms of chipping away at primal fears. I’d love to see brain scans of people in the ocean, not just flotation tanks. There are no waves in a tank!

Surfing doesn’t allow one to think of much besides whats in front of us. That is the mindfulness component that seems to heal the returned vets who use the ocean for healing. It breaks cyclical thinking patterns of ptsd.

There are repetitive activities that can trance someone out and allow them to sit in their head – like jogging, or working out in a gym or pool, skiing for some, etc. In these activities, people can continue being the puppet of the same thoughts and beliefs as always. Surfing or even playing in/experiencing waves can break people out of the mind, and get them into the body – raw sensory experience. The ocean is constantly moving, and demands we move and react.

Overcoming fear, not in a therapists office, but in a real live situation by being in the moment in the ocean can be inspiring and empowering for many people in need of Mother Ocean’s gifts!

May we all be grateful for the the majestic Pacific Blue Ocean at our fingertips here in San Diego. And may we treat Her with as much respect, care and love as we would our own mothers who birthed us into this world. We are made up of over 70% water my friends. Symbolically speaking we ARE the Ocean along with its vast depths and mysteries. BEHOLD! All drops eventually find their way to the SEA.

“Love rests on no foundation.
It is an endless ocean,
with no beginning or end.

Imagine,
a suspended ocean,
riding on a cushion of ancient secrets.

All souls have drowned in it,
and now dwell there.

One drop of that ocean is hope,
and the rest is fear.”

-Rumi