A very kind woman at the pool lent me her copy of Blue
Mind by Wallace J. Nichols to read.
We have talked – her daughter is a swimmer – I enjoy a casual float
around the pool – and she thought I might like to read it – that I might find
what he said true and affirming. And I
did – as someone who looks forward to the beach every year and finds staring
into the surf a profund evidence of the divine…
Nichols’ book is divided into three basic sections:
In the first section, he looks at the brain – and, in
particular, the neuro-plasticity of the brain – how the brain itself can rewire
based on certain stimuli. I found the
evidence he put forward fascinating, and I wondered, for example, if it is
possible to rewire the brain of a sociopath so he would no longer be a sociopath. Much possibility for good and evil in this
ability of our brains.
Then he looks at the scientific evidence that shows that being
anywhere near or in water actually improves health. Why is this?
Could it have something to do with the experience in the womb? Something to do with evolution? With the fact that we are mostly water? There are many possibilities, but the
benefits seem quite clear. (I wondered
for those who prefer mountains or are afraid of water if being in those places
would have a similar affect on them.)
Finally, he looks at the need to keep the water clean –
considering waste, recycling, and so forth.
Water is not merely enjoyable and healthful, but necessary to human and
all life. So, there is the rightful plea
to do all we can to keep garbage and other dangers out of the water.
Reading this book made me appreciate the peacefulness and
well as awesome power I feel when in and around water. I only wish he had given more practical
application in the book.
The book includes extensive endnotes, an index of key
words, and a study guide for groups. It
is well worth the read.
[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and
Goodreads.com.]
No comments:
Post a Comment