The Chinese religion or philosophy Taoism (founded by Lao Tzu) dates back to 600 B.C. Tao literally means “the way”. It can refer to the way a person lives their life, and also the way of the Cosmos.

Taoists believe that the goal of life is to be true to oneself. Apparently there was a divide between Taoism and Confucianism, the former being for the individual with several symbols and meanings in life, while the latter was for society and rooted in the scholar’s thoughts. “Confusius’ ideal for man is the carved jade—the cultured person whose character is formed as a work of art; Lao Tzu’s ideal is the uncarved block—the natural man."

In a story by Chuang Tzu, a man who was considered the second greatest Tao teacher, Confucius learns from a humble man swimming in a river. It takes place on a nice day where one of Confucius’ students takes him and the other students to see a great waterfall with dangerous currents. They arrive to find a man tumbling under the massive waterfall. Confucius sends his students running to try and save the man from impending death. However, when they get to the shore the man is leaving the river in one piece. Confucius asked him how he did it without drowning:

“Well…I’ve never really thought about it. If I have to explain it, I’d say that when the currents throw me this way or that, I let them. If they pull me down, I dive with them. And I know that when I reach the bottom the current will shoot me up again. I wait for that moment, and when it happens I swim with it.” “So you work with the water and don’t just let it have its way with you?” “That’s correct, Master. Although the currents are very powerful, they’re sort of like a friend I’m familiar with, that I’ve gotten to know over many years. So I can sense what they’re going to do and I adjust to their movements.”

The lesson provided by Tzu’s story was meant to reflect that swimming against the current, whether in water or life’s decisions, can result in feeling overwhelmed and helpless. According to this tale, swimming with the current is accepting the natural order of the Cosmos and therefore a much easier, yet deeper outcome will result. (Reference: Parabola Magazine Vol. 34 No.

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The Vedic culture started out near the Saraswati River and grew to the Ganges River. The sage Kananda had the theory that there are nine substances in the universe: space, air, fire, water, earth, mind, soul, time and direction. From five of these were discovered the three constitutions. Vata is space and air, or movement. Pitta is fire and water, or metabolism. Kapha is earth and water, or stability. When in equilibrium, these three constitutions or doshas are able to perfectly balance each other:

Life depends on water’s constancy. The ability of water to absorb large amounts of energy buffers photosynthesis in cytoplasm and the transfer of oxygen in animal blood from chaotic flux; moderates the Earth’s climate by using oceans and lakes for heat storage; eases seasonal change and our bodies’ adaptation to it by slowing, without shocks, the change of weather; and protects plants like cacti from boiling under desert skies, Most of all, water’s specific heat, heat of vaporization and heat of fusion give life its ability to maintain in hard times. Without these molecular traits, climatic extremes would turn living creatures over to their Maker at unprecedented rates.

Most water found on Earth is too salty to drink. It's been suggested that we need 2.5 liters per day. Water is what keeps us all alive and makes up over 60% of our bodies. It lubricates every part of us to keep the balance between all three doshas. The Ayurvedic goal is to keep Vata, Pitta and Kapha equal in the body for ultimate health. (Reference: Parabola Magazine Vol. 34 No. 2)

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It is unknown how long surfing has been around, but explorers to the Polynesian Islands observed natives doing it in the 1700’s. The art of surfing is a great way to discover the nature of water, as well as the enormous power it holds.

There are many dangers of surfing which include rip currents, very strong oceanic currents that carry everything in them further out to sea. A surfer must learn to respect this power and learn how to ride a wave without going against the current. Surfing, like all water sports, carries the inherent danger of drowning. Anyone at any age can learn to surf, but should have at least intermediate swimming skills.

Many surfers claim that once mastered, the art of surfing brings them to a place of feeling spiritually whole and complete. It is the act of being one with the water, swimming in it, riding the waves, and bowing out to catch the next one.

Even the rip tides are useful when surfers are going out further to catch the big waves. Some countries have tried to build man-made reefs to create bigger waves and attract surfing business; however, this usually does not work and the artificial reefs are removed. Nature has a way of creating the perfect underwater landscapes that no one can compete with. The result: a wonderful group of cresting waves perfect for the next surfer’s conquest.

(Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing)

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