Practicing Mindfulness by the Ocean

Angel Therapy by Maureen Mann

During my vacation this summer, I decided I really wanted to practice “being in the moment”. This translated to an adventure consisting of 1 hour and 45 minutes worth of consecutive moments standing and sitting on a rock by the Atlantic Ocean shore. My goal was to stay put on the rock until the tide came in and completely submerged it.

I realized early on that despite spending fifty years at the ocean, I really underestimated how slowly the tide comes in. This allowed me to settle into my position on the rock and watch both the water’s edge ahead of me and the deeper ocean beyond it. It took a long time for the water to begin to connect with the rock, then lap and start to pool around it before receding. I observed the collection of stones around the base of the rock as they moved with each wave’s arrival and departure. With the gaining presence of the ocean, the sounds of the surrounding stones grew louder as they crashed into one another.

The first time the water touched my feet was like a victory; a new sensation and phase to celebrate. Then as the water began crashing over the rock, wetting my body, I was less thrilled. It was cold! The size and crash patterns of the waves were unpredictable. I reminded myself of other times when I’d bodysurfed these waves. I shifted my mindset to become more attuned to the rhythm of the ocean, as part of the ecosystem versus an obtruded upon and obtrusive observer. With each new phase of the tide rising, there was a new set of circumstances to which I had to adjust and adapt.

A few times during the course of my time on the rock I questioned why I was doing this. What was I trying to prove? Was my ego dictating my choice to see something through? In the past, I have made decisions from that place, often with undesirable outcomes. This felt different; I knew the feelings in my body that would correspond to my ego’s striving. These bodily sensations were more relaxed and open. I felt like I was meant to stay with this curious venture. I had a sense there was a surprise waiting for me. With each question answered, I would surrender, feeling affirmed.

I noticed so much during those 105 minutes. I would vacillate between being acutely aware of the coldness of the water, the tightness and burning of my hands and wrists from gripping to hold on, and obliviousness to both when I simply focused on the warmth of the sun on my face. I noticed frustration arising when the sounds of beachgoers’ voices intruded on my desire to just hear the waves. With acknowledgement and practice, after a short time I could celebrate the acceptance of these disruptions. I realized part of my frustration arose from feeling I needed to be hypervigilant to my surroundings to ensure preparedness for what might come.

Acceptance allowed me to shift from judgment to becoming immersed again and again in my surroundings. When I consciously relaxed my body and mind, I experienced waves of gratitude and amazement wash over me. I felt tiny in proportion to the vastness of the ocean, but not obsolete. I felt both held by nature and dissolved into each droplet of water. Time passed quite rapidly, considering my stationary positioning. The less I looked at my watch and noticed the changing position of the sun in the sky, the faster the time went.

How did my adventure eventually end? Comically. My stint on the rock came to a crashing halt by my getting knocked off the rock by a wave and falling into the surf! I was acutely aware of the sensation of falling, feeling a multitude of rocks colliding on and over me, sand churning and filling my bathing suit. When I regained my bearings, I stood shakily and retreated to the shoreline, which was now quite a distance behind me. Back on the sand, I looked down at my body to see bloody scrapes. What I noticed most was the numbness I felt in my legs and hands, which had most consistently been submerged in the ocean (the Marshfield, MA beaches are not known for their balmy waters).

All I could do was laugh. Before I departed the beach, I thanked the ocean for its lessons and for the rock for allowing me to rest upon it for the last almost two hours. I hobbled my way back to my family’s cottage with numb, burning feet, and trembling from cold for the next twenty minutes. I learned quite a bit about myself during my mindful communing with the sea.

I had hoped to use my time on the rock to go into a deep meditative state, as this often happens when I am by the ocean. Even though that did not happen, the short passages of time where I could fully surrender provided me with what I needed. I affirmed the somewhat contradictory definitions of satisfaction and enjoyment I ascribe to. Do I hold enough determination to see something through? Yes. Did I enjoy the process of getting hit by the waves, having rocks crash on me, and feel gratitude for moments of calm and peace in between? Also, yes.

My rock sitting mindfulness exercise began and ended as have most undertakings in my life. I held a vision of what I wanted to accomplish. I persevered through the adversity. Throughout the endeavor, I questioned my mission at different points to ensure it was still aligned with my purpose. Ultimately, I experienced an outcome that was surprising, slightly different, and yet more rewarding than I expected. I received exactly what I was meant to receive.

Take care, Maureen

Maureen Mann Private practice specialties include navigating life transitions; stress management; and developing a spiritual practice to support a healthy and fulfilling life. AAP, EMP, LICSW, RMT K maureenmann.com | fb: Angel Therapy with Maureen Mann | fb: maureenmannlicsw