This is a great piece, swimming in open water as an affirmation of the awe inspiring nature of existence.
I can relate to the examples of being in open water. During the Covid lockdowns when the pools were closed, I swam every morning in the Thames. The sense of freedom, along with facing the trepidation of the darkness of the water below, felt such a contrast to the safety-obsessed stance playing out in the world outside of this sacred body of water. When life was being constrained to a limited range of acceptable behaviours, when even going for a run was met with disgust from some members of the public, swimming alone in the Thames as the early morning sun dappled through the trees felt like a true and sincere celebration of existence.
Always impressed with your blend of prose and sources Johann. As someone who guides others on such wilderness journeys, I appreciate your comment about the merging of righteous teaching in what I like to call, "The Cathedrals of the Wild". This is exactly what we do at mountainsmove.org, and your diving anecdote speaks to the spiritual rebirth that happens when we finally vacate places and attitudes of comfort in search of the Creator. This is a critical step in experiencing humility for those you refer to as the New Nobility. Your writing, as always, expresses it so well.
Just checked out your website - looks incredible. Very much the kind of thing I'd like to do with my family in a few years. We recently had a life-changing trip to Montana. Bookmarked!
You and your family are always welcomed here. Late September in my opinion, is the best time of year if you can arrange it. Please, by all means...we would love to host you here in the mountains!
I grew up on an island. It was manmade, but when you're a child all you care about is the wonder of being surrounded by water. My father's first task was to take my brother and I for swimming lessons. At 6yrs old swimming in a pool with others was not fun and I did not learn how to swim. My father being the practical man, took me to the water, walked me down to the dock and threw me in the water. I came up sputtering, dog paddling and throughly captivated. I've never been able to live away from a large liquid body of water. Thank you for this end of the year treasure in words. It's lovely, and I have water running down my face. Happy New Year...
This is a good article, but I think it’s a bit too narrow in scope. The brush with Death can occur from many sources, though the experience will not look the same. My first visceral encounter with Death occurred with my first kill on a deer hunt. Taking life on your own gives you an understanding of the sanctity of life and the Goodness of God you cannot receive through study. You realize how easily someone or something else could kill you. I was absolutely trashed on adrenaline for a half hour after that. I could barely stop shaking.
Perhaps it cannot even compare. But at 12 years old i went to NY with my father, and there weren't cellphones. I also didn't speak a word of English. We were staying near coney island and we went to watch a concert in Manhattan. Mind you that was not the NY of today. I left the concert hall and gave my father the slip, on porpose, to wonder freely around the city, taking in the strangeness of it all. My father could not find me. To imagine what this would be like you can imagine an american child lost in Shanghai in the early 2000's. Couldn't understand any plaque or sign. The subway was too complex. I could not speak to a taxi driver nor had i the money to pay if i could. I now know i was 20 km from the hotel, which i had not memorized the name.
I had no money no cellphone and did not speak or read english. Yet i had to go back. I took the risk and now i had to endure the consequences.
I started walking and ended up even more up north, in Harlem, so the whole thing became more and more like the movie The Warriors.
That night was the longest and craziest night of my life.
I reached the hotel 10 hours later, and my father was livid with me. Yet i had no regrets. I had survived a night in an alien city. It felt good aftwards. Like i was a survivor.
Looking back, speaking english now and knowing the geography of NYC it seems all seems so stupid, but back then it felt like a rite of passage.
I think he being obedient means he admires you. Don't be worried. This is a good thing. Maybe when he's older you can guide him on his own rites of passage.
Wonderful article, as a sea swimmer and deep lover of nature this spoke to my soul. You have inspired me today, discovered Martin Heidegger and realised it’s time to go back to the sea. Due to a strange illness it’s been nearly a year since I swam and it’s time. Much Appreciation and Joyful New Year wishes from Ireland.
I've tried to stay quiet but that does it... being hardcore Aquarian, it's true. I dived from a 10m high-diving board at 12yrs and blacked out when I hit the water.
I came-to quite quickly but was out of reach of the ground to push up from and already out of breath. A voice beyond me said 'quick now, swim up'.
By the time I reached the surface I could barely dog-paddle, and clung to the side of the pool for about ten minutes to get my breath and strength back. Then, once out, I still couldn't walk so sat on the pools edge looking up at the young and mid-aged men who got to the top of the dive tower, saw the view below then turned around to climb back down.
Thank you much appreciated. I do find it interesting that the original (literal translation) always sounds better. I find translators often ‘interpret’ too much. Wishing all a Joyful New Year.
Dec 30, 2023·edited Dec 30, 2023Liked by Johann Kurtz
I had a similar experience when i was sixteen years old. My friend and i were taking a hike in the woods and came to a point where we had to cross the creek. The spot we picked to cross was just above a small waterfall, the rocks on either side at the top being broad and relatively close together. My more agile and lithe friend easily hopped over. Myself, not being so lithe and laden with hiking gear hit the other side and slid down into the waterfall, my ankle wedging between rocks at the bottom. Fortunately, the back of my head and neck acted as a break leaving a gap of air for me to breathe and the water just being neck deep. My friend could not get near me to help, with the madly rushing water at the fall. As i struggled to escape and keep my head up, i thought i was going to die. Obviously, i was able to free myself, but it was a life changing moment. Face to face with death, as it were.
A similar moment came when i fell unconscious from exhaustion in martial arts class. I think it was the same year as the waterfall incident. I had been partying all weekend. Lots of alcohol, lack of sleep, experimenting with hallucinogens, etc. My sensei thought i was dead. lolz. Stupid.
Some years later, in Airborne school, i made peace with my maker - so to speak. Though an atheist, i thought to myself, as i was about to exit a perfectly good aircraft in flight, "this is it, i could die here. Get it right or die." Amazing experience, to face death and consciously pull through the moment with clarity.
Yes, once you have one of those moments wherein you realise that you'd be happy to die and to go to your maker, the tranquility sort of stays with you forever.
I had an experience earlier this year where I truly thought my time was up, I realised I had serious inflammation that was not stopping and my brain could not function for a couple of days, I felt the calm of surrender and prayed to God, if this is my time I am ready, I commend my soul to God. Needless to say here I am and a deep part of me that was terrified by the global coup is healed, I am more peaceful and loving. Still calling BS as needed though.
I'd love to write some Grimdank pulp, doubling down on the 'Templars in space' religious aspect. Alas, no time at the moment. Maybe if Becoming Noble starts bringing in enough that I can drop one of my other professional commitments!
There are some perfect waterfall pools in South Wales that I swam in this autumn gone. Diving to the deep there was terrifying for the sheer power of cold; you could really feel your thoughts move slugglishly in your head from the sheer freeze and your muscles hardly obeyed you. Few places return to my mind as frequently. You have well articulated a feeling that is near to the hearts of many of us.
Lovely. Love the Heidegger references. Reading this feels like being pulled up toward life from that black and white unawareness that can creep in if we're not vigilant. Thanks for reframing my next swim. Thanks for your work
This is a great piece, swimming in open water as an affirmation of the awe inspiring nature of existence.
I can relate to the examples of being in open water. During the Covid lockdowns when the pools were closed, I swam every morning in the Thames. The sense of freedom, along with facing the trepidation of the darkness of the water below, felt such a contrast to the safety-obsessed stance playing out in the world outside of this sacred body of water. When life was being constrained to a limited range of acceptable behaviours, when even going for a run was met with disgust from some members of the public, swimming alone in the Thames as the early morning sun dappled through the trees felt like a true and sincere celebration of existence.
That's excellent. We need more of this quiet boldness and transgressing of needless social paranoias.
Ha yes, who would have thought that celebrating existence could be an act of rebellion.
Fantastic, I salute you sir.
Always impressed with your blend of prose and sources Johann. As someone who guides others on such wilderness journeys, I appreciate your comment about the merging of righteous teaching in what I like to call, "The Cathedrals of the Wild". This is exactly what we do at mountainsmove.org, and your diving anecdote speaks to the spiritual rebirth that happens when we finally vacate places and attitudes of comfort in search of the Creator. This is a critical step in experiencing humility for those you refer to as the New Nobility. Your writing, as always, expresses it so well.
Just checked out your website - looks incredible. Very much the kind of thing I'd like to do with my family in a few years. We recently had a life-changing trip to Montana. Bookmarked!
You and your family are always welcomed here. Late September in my opinion, is the best time of year if you can arrange it. Please, by all means...we would love to host you here in the mountains!
I grew up on an island. It was manmade, but when you're a child all you care about is the wonder of being surrounded by water. My father's first task was to take my brother and I for swimming lessons. At 6yrs old swimming in a pool with others was not fun and I did not learn how to swim. My father being the practical man, took me to the water, walked me down to the dock and threw me in the water. I came up sputtering, dog paddling and throughly captivated. I've never been able to live away from a large liquid body of water. Thank you for this end of the year treasure in words. It's lovely, and I have water running down my face. Happy New Year...
Spectacular story!
Very kind words, and a great story - thank you
This is a good article, but I think it’s a bit too narrow in scope. The brush with Death can occur from many sources, though the experience will not look the same. My first visceral encounter with Death occurred with my first kill on a deer hunt. Taking life on your own gives you an understanding of the sanctity of life and the Goodness of God you cannot receive through study. You realize how easily someone or something else could kill you. I was absolutely trashed on adrenaline for a half hour after that. I could barely stop shaking.
You're absolutely right. Diving was more a framing device for the essay than the only path that can bring you these lessons.
Perhaps it cannot even compare. But at 12 years old i went to NY with my father, and there weren't cellphones. I also didn't speak a word of English. We were staying near coney island and we went to watch a concert in Manhattan. Mind you that was not the NY of today. I left the concert hall and gave my father the slip, on porpose, to wonder freely around the city, taking in the strangeness of it all. My father could not find me. To imagine what this would be like you can imagine an american child lost in Shanghai in the early 2000's. Couldn't understand any plaque or sign. The subway was too complex. I could not speak to a taxi driver nor had i the money to pay if i could. I now know i was 20 km from the hotel, which i had not memorized the name.
I had no money no cellphone and did not speak or read english. Yet i had to go back. I took the risk and now i had to endure the consequences.
I started walking and ended up even more up north, in Harlem, so the whole thing became more and more like the movie The Warriors.
That night was the longest and craziest night of my life.
I reached the hotel 10 hours later, and my father was livid with me. Yet i had no regrets. I had survived a night in an alien city. It felt good aftwards. Like i was a survivor.
Looking back, speaking english now and knowing the geography of NYC it seems all seems so stupid, but back then it felt like a rite of passage.
Great piece Johan!
Great story. My son is so obedient I'll be concerned if he doesn't push the boundaries like you when he's a little older. Can't be too conformist
I think he being obedient means he admires you. Don't be worried. This is a good thing. Maybe when he's older you can guide him on his own rites of passage.
Wonderful article, as a sea swimmer and deep lover of nature this spoke to my soul. You have inspired me today, discovered Martin Heidegger and realised it’s time to go back to the sea. Due to a strange illness it’s been nearly a year since I swam and it’s time. Much Appreciation and Joyful New Year wishes from Ireland.
Fantastic to hear
This piece is the perfect how-to guide for the Aquarian age. Well done.
I've tried to stay quiet but that does it... being hardcore Aquarian, it's true. I dived from a 10m high-diving board at 12yrs and blacked out when I hit the water.
I came-to quite quickly but was out of reach of the ground to push up from and already out of breath. A voice beyond me said 'quick now, swim up'.
By the time I reached the surface I could barely dog-paddle, and clung to the side of the pool for about ten minutes to get my breath and strength back. Then, once out, I still couldn't walk so sat on the pools edge looking up at the young and mid-aged men who got to the top of the dive tower, saw the view below then turned around to climb back down.
Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo et mundabor.
Lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Couldn’t you have put a translation for us philistines, please?
I believe it's the latin version of Psalm 51:7. The Psalm is -
7 Purge me with ahyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
The direct translation from (da googlez) is:
"Sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean.
Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be white over the snow.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy."
Hyssop is a mint-type bush used for spiritual cleansing rituals.
Thank you much appreciated. I do find it interesting that the original (literal translation) always sounds better. I find translators often ‘interpret’ too much. Wishing all a Joyful New Year.
You just made me understand why I love diving. Thank you.
Superb, Johann. I love this. Nothing constructive to add, per se: just—thank you.
Thank you, BoP - that really means a lot.
I feel so inspired but have no idea how to discover such an experience. I hope I will be open to one that crosses my path. Excellent.
Glad to hear it
I appreciate how difficult it was to write this and not mention baptism or the Passage Through the Red Sea explicitly
I had a similar experience when i was sixteen years old. My friend and i were taking a hike in the woods and came to a point where we had to cross the creek. The spot we picked to cross was just above a small waterfall, the rocks on either side at the top being broad and relatively close together. My more agile and lithe friend easily hopped over. Myself, not being so lithe and laden with hiking gear hit the other side and slid down into the waterfall, my ankle wedging between rocks at the bottom. Fortunately, the back of my head and neck acted as a break leaving a gap of air for me to breathe and the water just being neck deep. My friend could not get near me to help, with the madly rushing water at the fall. As i struggled to escape and keep my head up, i thought i was going to die. Obviously, i was able to free myself, but it was a life changing moment. Face to face with death, as it were.
A similar moment came when i fell unconscious from exhaustion in martial arts class. I think it was the same year as the waterfall incident. I had been partying all weekend. Lots of alcohol, lack of sleep, experimenting with hallucinogens, etc. My sensei thought i was dead. lolz. Stupid.
Some years later, in Airborne school, i made peace with my maker - so to speak. Though an atheist, i thought to myself, as i was about to exit a perfectly good aircraft in flight, "this is it, i could die here. Get it right or die." Amazing experience, to face death and consciously pull through the moment with clarity.
Yes, once you have one of those moments wherein you realise that you'd be happy to die and to go to your maker, the tranquility sort of stays with you forever.
I had an experience earlier this year where I truly thought my time was up, I realised I had serious inflammation that was not stopping and my brain could not function for a couple of days, I felt the calm of surrender and prayed to God, if this is my time I am ready, I commend my soul to God. Needless to say here I am and a deep part of me that was terrified by the global coup is healed, I am more peaceful and loving. Still calling BS as needed though.
Have you thought about writing fiction, Johann? Opening of the article suggests you have a talent for it...
I'd love to write some Grimdank pulp, doubling down on the 'Templars in space' religious aspect. Alas, no time at the moment. Maybe if Becoming Noble starts bringing in enough that I can drop one of my other professional commitments!
There are some perfect waterfall pools in South Wales that I swam in this autumn gone. Diving to the deep there was terrifying for the sheer power of cold; you could really feel your thoughts move slugglishly in your head from the sheer freeze and your muscles hardly obeyed you. Few places return to my mind as frequently. You have well articulated a feeling that is near to the hearts of many of us.
Lovely. Love the Heidegger references. Reading this feels like being pulled up toward life from that black and white unawareness that can creep in if we're not vigilant. Thanks for reframing my next swim. Thanks for your work
Thank you - and enjoy the swim