Ice Cold and the Inner Journey
A year ago I’d shared this facebook post fresh of the Wim Hof experience in Poland:
The journey itself was 5 days of journeying deep in mind body & spirit. 20 people from 11 countries & all ages. Daily breathing meditations (difficult to explain what mental states and depth can be achieved with nothing more than the right breathing methods) and cold exposure training up in the Polish mountains, spending time in frozen lakes, walking barefoot and half naked in icy woods and finishing off on the last day with a 3 hour hike, up Snezka mountain with gusty winds and -10 degrees in nothing but shorts and shoes. Discovering the power that lies within, the control we have over our biology and physiology is incredibly empowering. Nature (cold specifically) is a humbling teacher if you let it. Respect, stillness, acceptance, an appreciation for softness rather than force, the pleasure in discomfort and letting go on deeper and deeper levels — to name just a few. Without even mentioning the endless scientifically proven benefits of cold thermogenesis and oxygen — lowering inflammation (underlying so many illnesses like cancer, diabetes, parkinsons, cardiovascular…), improved blood ph balances, arterial health, improved blood flow…add to this a crazy group of incredible people, tons of laughter, terrific friendships and exceptional guidance and leadership. What an experience! Thanks @daniel_kluken @iceman_hof and the whole group ❤️🙏❄️
A year later what remains is this: one life, we enter alone, leave alone and have the opportunity for a deep inner journey along the way. The inner journey is counter intuitive: letting go rather than building up, less rather than more, simplicity rather than cunning and intelligence. It requires a curiosity of biology and nature. A discovery through experience rather than intellect.
Exposure to cold (or even potential) amplifies mind chatter to the point where it is unavoidable. Walking barefoot in shorts in -5 degrees, going into an iced waterfall and mountain hiking for 3 hours with ice cold winds, puts the mind and its thinking in a different light. It brings instant clarity to the incessant thoughts, worries, internal blockages and frustrations. The mind shows no allegiance other than to avoid discomfort and regurgitate endless reasons to find comfort - distraction being its ultimate strategy. Walking barefoot — extremities are most painful as the blood escapes to the lungs and head — the mind conjures thoughts and echo’s of worry, frostbite, fear of being sick, fear of looking stupid, discomfort with the growing pain and constant distractions to avoid the present. Going down this rabbit hole activates the SNS (Sympathetic Nervous System), the body’s stress responses, tightening of the body, stressed breathing, shaking, shivering with a growing discomfort and inability to deal with the pain.
This is not a fight against cold. There is no barrier to overcome. There is no use of force, mental or other. There is no positive self talk. It’s about observing the mind and a conscious disregard for its contents. Going beyond the reactivity and letting go. Deep presence into the moment and the pain rather than getting lost in the mental thread of distraction. A focus on the granular sensation of the cold. A curiosity into the sensations rather than an avoidance. The result: immediate relief. The pain lessens and becomes irrelevant. Replaced by a sense of clarity, belonging and comfort.
You get rewarded for your state of mind. For having no mind
Letting Go
Tao is about emptiness. Buddhism about impermanence and letting go of attachments. Concepts that can’t be understood intellectually and hard to implement in daily life. Cold exposure provides a glimpse into what this means. It shows deep seated attachments and letting them go with immediate feedback.
Discomfort
Society promotes the endless pursuit of comfort. Technology amplifies this and provides the constant illusion of comfort (mostly through distractions). Temperature regulated cars, houses, and offices keep the environment just warm/cool enough.
Comfort is a feature not a pursuit
Evolution is partly based on hormesis and homeostasis — loosely translated as a stress response that promotes growth and a constant search for equilibrium within the body. The pursuit for discomfort simplifies life by being ok with that which is guaranteed and natural— pain.
Simplicity
Being in the cold is about less. Less clothes, thoughts, distractions, mental talk and how-to strategies. The pursuit of simplicity is one of reduction rather than addition. Thriving on nothing other than human biology and environment simplifies and revitalises.
Nature
There is no nature to visit. Human beings are nature. As affected by sunlight as plants (Vitamin D generation, melatonin signalling through the eyes retinas and the impact on circadian rythms). Bacteria, microbiomes and the connection to trees for the most basic survival through photosynthesis — oxygen. Humans are nature. Losing this connection is creating an epidemic of chronic disease, loneliness and mental health disorders. There is a deep sense of belonging and respect that comes with this understanding.
The pursuit for freedom is ingrained in our DNA. There is a distinction to explore between the “freedom to” (fill blank) and the “freedom from”. Freedom from incessant thought, worries, needs, desires and mental distractions. Only one is impervious to external circumstance.
The Wim Hof experience is a glimpse that perhaps this freedom is found in mindlessness.
