The Emerald
How to Churn an Ocean and Breathe Like a Horse: Rekindling the Somatic Heart of Myth
Dec 10, 2019
This podcast explores the somatic dimension of myth, focusing on the journey of the individual practitioner towards ecstatic union with the cosmos. It discusses the ancient story of the Churning of the Cosmic Ocean and Shiva's intervention, as well as the somatic dimensions of myth and their connection to yogic techniques. The symbolism of horses and breath in myths and yogic texts is also explored, along with an exploration of various books and classic stories.
35:15
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Quick takeaways
- Myths are somatic journeys within the individual practitioner's body, offering an understanding of the interconnectedness between the self and the world.
- Horses in myths symbolize the breath and the practice of Pranayama, emphasizing the need for a kinesthetic understanding of myth.
Deep dives
The Myth of the Churning of the Cosmic Ocean
The podcast delves into the ancient myth of the churning of the cosmic ocean, a story that has been passed down through cultures across the world. In the myth, celestial beings called devas and beings from the underworld called asuras collaborate to churn the cosmic ocean and extract the nectar of immortality. This churning process symbolizes the harnessing of the breath, with the serpent coiled around Mount Mandara representing the breath's power. As the devas and asuras tug on either end of the serpent, the central mountain rotates and the ocean churns, releasing a poison that is later consumed by Shiva. As a result, the treasures of the ocean, including the goddess of abundance and Ayurvedic medicine, emerge.
