Freedom Through Absorption
It was earth day a couple days ago. The past 2 days have been some of my most beautiful. Majority of what I’m about to describe I did not capture. Hopefully my words will give a lil insight into the immense, yet often overlooked, beauty God created for us.
Yestermorning was spent in rainforest covered canyons, swimming in crisp rivers, jumping off or sliding down 4–10m rocks, floating through crannies and resting under a waterfall. Trees and leaves arched from either sides of the canyons. I had not a single thought about the past or future. Just breathing in and out. Admiring what God placed before me. This stillness of mind is not something I’m used to, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way.
Late afternoon was spent at Osmeña peak. We drove up as the suns yellow hues caressed the rolling hills. This mountain range isn’t a series of jagged peaks, but a series of curved hills. It didn’t feel real. I couldn’t process that I was seeing this with my very own eyes. With clouds moving fast right above our heads, we watched the sun set behind volcanoes and islands, 1000m above sea level.
My head was tilted upwards for the entire drive down. There was a cool breeze as it drizzled and fireflies speckled the spaces around us. Riding a motorbike with no light pollution and intrusive buildings allowed me an intimate experience with the sky, its stars and planets. It was entrancing. It felt as if I was going to levitate into space. It was like I was being absorbed by the universe, but not in a way that suffocates you; in a way that makes you feel so darn free.
6am today we swam with thousands of sardines. When you swim towards a shoal, they disperse around you. I’d swim in the middle of them and they’d encircle me. I’d then twirl 360° underwater and all I could see were sardines; their shimmering silver scales reflecting the morning sun. It was magnificent.
We try hard to find peace, fulfillment or stimulation through temporary man made means. But nature is endlessly mesmerizing and freely created for us by The One who knows what’s best for us. Yet we stay away, and destroy; as expected. How can we love something we never spent time with?
