the healing properties of water

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Imagine floating on the surface of a placid, crystal-clear pond. Or diving deeply into an aqua-marine pool. One is calming to the nerves, while the other is exhilarating; both enticing the senses to a place of pleasure, perhaps even health and wellness.
 
Have you ever wondered what it is about water that is good for you?  Certainly the benefits of drinking water makes sense. It purifies your internal organs and hydrates your entire body. But floating on water or swimming within its depths, what exactly does it provide other than pleasure?
 
I was meditating recently - imagine that - when the imagery of snakes appeared. At first I was frightened. What could they possibly mean? Knowing that whenever imagery appears in a meditation, it is a symbolic message, I began to search for answers. 
 
Unfortunately symbols often take time to decipher, whether it is moments, hours, days, weeks or even months. It wasn't until I shared my experience with a spiritual advisor that I learned its profound meaning.
 
Water Nagas.
 
According to the knowledge base found at Wikipedia, “The Naga are divine, splendid, and proud semi-divine deities that can assume their physical form either as human, partial human-serpent or the whole serpent.”
 
In this case, they were the whole serpent. About eight of them.
 
“Their domain is an enchanted realm filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures called Naga-loka. They are often associated with bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, seas, and wells, and are guardians of treasure. They are known to have guarded wise beings of Asian descent.”
 
Super cool! Love it when symbols are this sacred.
 
You can take the meaning of the nagas to a variety of places, I suppose. But I’ve learned it is wise to find the positive angle, in this case - guarding me and my treasures! Which could very well be the health & wellness of my … mind, body & spirit.
 
Lesson learned:  When meditating near a body of water, honor the water nagas. Ask for any messages that may benefit your well-being. Then be receptive.
 
 
Another way to unveil the healing secrets of water is to look at the beginning of our time here on earth, our conception.  As we grew into our own physical nature, our fetus was nurtured in the womb of water. These waters were loaded with nutrients & love!  Is it any wonder then, that swimming and floating on water is pleasurable.
 
Elements of hydration that increase one's healing include the minerals found in natural springs. These can be found all over the world! Here are a listing of just a few:
 
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
This was my first introduction to natural hot springs! Surrounded by cascading waterfalls and greenery. The springs are a testament to waking the senses and healing the muscles.
 
Joshua Tree National Park, California
This has been on my map of places to go for sometime now. If you've been there, hit me up. I'd love to hear all about it!
 
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Located within a half hour of Tara Mandala, Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center. This is a luxurious ending to a long meditation program!  Each natural pool has its unique listing of healing minerals and elements as well as its level of heat, sometimes exceeding 100°
 
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Imagine visions of ethereal icy blue waters with clouds of steam gently rising above. These geothermal waters begin1.2 miles below surface.
 
Saratoga Springs, New York
There are 21 public mineral springs scattered about the area. But wait. These springs are for drinking since they are all carbonated. IDK. A little bubbly in your bath might be good!
 
There are many other health benefits of water. The acronym ‘SPA’ is an abbreviation for the term "solus par aqua" which means health or healing through water.
 
I used to love lingering in the steam room. It is an excellent practice to open the pores of your skin and release toxins. It can also be used to lose weight, most likely … water-weight!
 
Personally I enjoy walking along the shoreline barefoot, feeling the coolness of the water, crushing the seashells beneath my feet; and listening to the call of the seagulls, and the rhythmic patterns of the waves rolling in and out.
 
 
Another mythical creature of the water is none other than the nymph.
 
In his poem, The Water-Nymph, Alexander Pushkin describes the sad life of a lone friar, digging his own grave, so lonely that death is appealing to him. He is awakened by the lifting of a fog and the appearance of this magical water creature.
 
In the romantic language of poetry, we watch this man come back to life, curious and enchanted by the naked beauty of the water nymph with long flowing hair and playful ways.  The ending? Well, you’ll have to read the poem.
 
 
Alana Cahoon is the author of Amazon Bestseller, Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditation. She coaches individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www.AlanaCahoon.com.

Read the article on page 316 of the July 2021 issue of RochesterWomanOnline