Two fish pass each other in the water. The one says: “The water’s nice today.” The other replies: “What’s water?”
It is easy to forget where we are. Or rather: It is easy to not even stop to think about where we are. I’m not, most of the time. But then there are these moments when the awareness sets in for a while.
This moment, right now, is gone forever. This one, too. Every moment is gone forever, sometimes before we even realize it’s there. No use trying to hold on to it.
And yet, there is no way to be anywhere else than in this moment, right now. Sure, we can think about the future. Remember the past. Daydream about far-off places. But whatever we do, we always do it from now. Even pretending otherwise means pretending otherwise right now.
Do you think fish know what water is? They are surrounded by it, live in it, know nothing else but it – why would it ever occur to them that there could be such a thing as air above? Those that never go to the surface, that is.
Which really begs the question: What is our water? What do we live in that is so normal, so all-encompassing, that we never stop to think about it? What would “going to the surface” mean for us?
Not sure I know the answer. But it sure is a great question.
Markus + Micah 
Sounds like a great plot for a sci fi novel or movie! 😄 But seriously, I love this post. one of the things I make sure I do everyday is to be mindful of every action and really be present. I also enjoy thinking about my place in the universe and in history every now and then. The randomness and fateful occurrences that produced this “self”. It’s a good mental exercise. (P.s. I don’t know if I’m making sense and it’s fun to read all the other comments and see how the post hits differently for each person ❤)
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You are making a lot of sense. I try the same sometimes, in those brief moments when I manage to not be distracted by all the stuff in a day. And I agree, it is great to read everyone’s take on the post!
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What, indeed, would going to the surface mean? I don’t know, either, but I suspect it has to do with realizing the matrix of thought-belief world we live in. And seeing it’s not as “true” as we think it is. But that’s only my thought for right now, from the water of Here!
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Wouldn’t you say that whatever we perceive is always true, especially as long as we believe it to be? So that it is perhaps never the full truth (our senses are limited after all) but nonetheless always a part of it?
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Wow. You really got me thinking, I had to head over to the comments to see if anyone answered… I don’t have an answer,… But I’m sure as hell going to be thinking about this all day now.
Loved this! Thankyou
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If you come up with an answer, I’d love to hear it!
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But whatever we do, we always do it from now.
Yes, yes. That’s the truth of it all. As for your question, I’d say for me it is being immersed in my particular sense of place. Rather like the one fish’s lack of awareness about water I default to being midwestern in my perspective. I’ve lived elsewhere so I know differently, but my water is here, where I am now– an intrinsic bias.
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Would you say you getting to know differently enriched your experience of being immersed in your water?
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Yes. Without a doubt
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This is an interesting question. Maybe for us, it would be to achieve a higher level of existence, sort of like that achieved via meditation, where we are not distracted by selfish wants and are able to fulfil a higher intellectual purpose.
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Yes, maybe. Although I sometimes wonder if the quest to achieve a higher level of existence can’t quickly turn into the mother of all selfish distractions.
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Haha, at this particular moment, Markus, that sounds good to me.
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Hehe, fair enough.
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I have thoughts of “Finding Nemo” and Dory. Well, we can either look at things scientifically so: liquid, gas or solid (and now plasma) and that we live in a gaseous environment or metaphorically as Kinge points out. It would appear that most of us do not stop to think about what we are in, but watch people talk about the weather when it becomes too hot, too cold or too humid. Our water is really how we perceive our life and those things we experience within it. Going to the surface is leaving the Earth’s atmosphere – more of us will have to do it sooner or later!
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Ha, I hope conditions won’t get so bad that we have to – but it’s possible, of course. However, wouldn’t our perception still be essentially the same, even if we were to fly to Mars tomorrow? I definitely agree that perception plays a large role in all of this though. Perhaps most of all how we perceive the contrast between what we perceive naturally, and what we don’t.
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Maybe going to the surface is realizing you have limitations. If the fish goes beyond the surface, he dies.
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I have never looked at it that way! Thank you for your comment, Anne. I agree 100%. For a fish, it is important to know the surface, because only then can he make sure to stay away from it. I wonder though: If we go to the surface, do we die, or do we adapt?
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I think we adapt. We wear space suits when we go through the protective layers of our atmosphere.
This was fun to think about.
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I hope you are right. And I agree, it was!
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Such a great read and thought-provoking question. Without putting a whole lot of thought into it, the first thing that came to mind for me was life itself. Although it won’t last forever, I believe many of us take it for granted. We don’t live in the moment. We don’t appreciate where we are and what we have. Many don’t plan for their death, their money, their legacy, etc. Most don’t think about what life will be like for those they leave behind.
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This is a great way to interpret the question. What do you think is a good way to avoid all these pitfalls in life that you mention?
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I would say we should definitely slow down, or make time to have simple moments. Learn to be more appreciative. Most importantly, make plans for death, even though no one wants to think about that. Get your money in order, purchase a pre-need, and create a will. Help the family you leave behind.
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Those are all important points, thank you for sharing them. I would say slowing down is particularly important – otherwise we just rush by life, don’t we.
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Exactly! My pleasure. It was a great conversation!
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It was!
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🤗🤗🤗
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Wow, such a perfect analogy.
True, sometimes we live blindly to our gifts. Absent moment to moment. My water are several things that often I may forget but of I think about them, the make living worthwhile; time, love, abudance of nature, good health and life.
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That is good water to be aware of. Definitely worthwhile.
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Great question! We originated in the seas and oceans but we have come a long way in our development since then. The thing is, we remain part of the natural world; we are made of the same stuff as the flora and fauna of the earth and we really need to think about what impact we have on our neighbours, the monkeys and lizards and fishes! I look forward to reading what others think about your question.
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Yes, I’m looking forward to everyone’s thoughts, too! And you’re right – that sense of connection is super important.
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That is very deep (no pun intended). 😂 I will need to ponder it for a while.
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Certainly food for thought! Just remember to take a breath now and again hehe
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Awesome post
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Thank you!
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My Pleasure 😊
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