The ocean knows pt. 2.

While living in Ecuador I became acquainted to an age-old belief held dear by the locals – the sea, they say, possesses healing powers that perform wonders on the body and soul. It did not take much convincing for me to buy-in; after all, there is no better place to dive in for a pauper with fifty mosquito bites sustained from the night before. I soon found myself tumbling in the waves of Manglaralto and Montanita on a daily basis, during lunch breaks and early evenings; I was dark as a piece of pollo a la brasa, the honey-dripped kind whenever I jumped out of the water.

As I paid daily pilgrimages to the ocean, I began to realize its mythical powers not only on my inflamed skin, but also on my psyche and creaking back. I felt rejuvenated with a crystal clear mind, and was pain free for those few months residing por la costa. It made sense! A coastline frequented by ballenas y dolfines has to be blessed; the creatures know. They receive dailylimpiezas performed by nature.

Fast forward to 2009 in Venice, CA. Different geography, but with the same stupendous Pacific Ocean and associated routines. The sea has evolved into my spiritual counselor and trusted confidant; through observations of recurring low and high tides, and the amorphous colours and shapes of currents, I begin to comprehend the ever-changing and cyclical ways of life. The seemingly untiable knots in my head start to loosen as I stare at the wavering sheet of blue; the rise and fall of kingdoms, ascent and decay of great urban forms, financial booms and busts, abstruse human dynamics and other archaic conundrums reveal themselves in predictable patterns, as fitting pieces of an infinite puzzle.

If you have not tried letting out your dissatisfactions and unease in the eye of a wave, give it a go – the Chinese and other ancient cultures valued moving bodies of water for insightful reasons. Here is the catch: let us work together to keep this wholesome mentor clean and accessible to all.

The shoreline in Olon, Ecuador.