One of the things I love most about living in the tiny, tourist town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is that it’s highly walkable. I can walk (or bike) to the eye doctor, the dentist, the post office, a grocery store, and even Tim Horton’s (Canada’s coffee shop). I can wander through parks and past historic homes. But, the very best thing is that I can walk to Lake Ontario in less than 15 minutes. The lake draws me like a magnet and I’m always surprised by what I find. It’s never the same.

I’m a firm believer in the healing aspects of water. Scientist and writer, Wallace J Nichols, coined the term “blue mind” to describe this quality and even wrote a whole book about how it works from a scientific mindset.

“Blue Mind is a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment. It is inspired by water and elements associated with water, from the color blue to the words we use to describe the sensations associated with immersion.” ~ Wallace J Nichols, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do

The Waterscapes Project

A couple of years ago, I started work on a photography project which shows abstract views of my town. A subset of this project is what I call Waterscapes.

In my post last week, I talked about the steps in unfolding our inner mystic, artist, and prophet. This waterscapes project is a good example of the process. Through my daily walks, I notice that inner pull to the water for silence and solitude (Via Negativa). At the water, I experience the wonder of its ever changing hues and moods (Via Positiva). I photograph the water’s colors and textures in an abstract way (Via Creativa). Now, I’m putting together a collection of these photographs that will have something to say about the healing aspects of water (Via Transformativa).

Nichols says the characteristics that make visual images stand out are tied to what helps us survive in the natural world – color, shininess, and motion. These are prominent features of water. Water can be calming, reflective, and powerful. It has rhythm and mesmerizes us. It feels, smells, and tastes refreshing. He is in the process of writing the second book (of three) on this topic, called Go Deeper: The Seven Ages of Water, and is being supported by Patreon. I’m a patron and you can be too.

“Go Deeper picks up where Blue Mind left off and explores the cognitive, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual benefits of healthy waterways and oceans at each of the seven stages of our lives from birth through death.” ~ Wallace J Nichols

Follow Wallace J Nichols conversations on Facebook. Read Blue Mind. Become a Patreon supporter here.

How is water healing for you?

Here is a link to my Loving Lake Ontario photo project. Enjoy.

** Books mentioned have Amazon affiliate links, meaning I make a few cents if you purchase through my link. I only recommend books that I’ve read.