The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
What a joy Simon Beck's contribution to this forum has been. Devoid of politics and centred around his own thoughts and self analysis. The true spirit of caving.
I have always said that there is a spiritual connection with caving and diving. Not man against nature, not a bludgening force but a true symbiosis. Oh if only this translated into "real " life. An alien world in both instances. My companion to The Frozen Deep this week kept thanking me for the trip. No my friend it is you I thank as you have understood and appreciated that wonderful place. Savoured the atmosphere and marveled at wonders there both big and small . I was honoured to share my humble photographs and experiences with you. As ever when entering there I am close to tears. The emotion of that first day comes tumbling back. I would have cried then had I not stood manfully next to Alison. Oh that did happen when I got home. So with 25 years of diving and 55 years of caving I am close to understanding that rise to a spiritual level. It rarely comes soon in either pastime. You have to learn and advance skills, practice and see what is on offer. You pit yourself against what you percieve as a challange. Is it always thus ? Eventually you pass that stage and evolve into a new comfort zone. Then at last you can see what truly is on offer. I always say to new cavers " dont fight the rock . It will surely win." Fitness and stamina help but the " understanding "is the key. You subconciously view each difficulty and reason the way through or around it. You take the easy route for you because of that understanding. Rarely does that process become obvious to you. It has become inate through the years. Its like riding a bike. One minute its all difficulty then its second nature. Oh some will say its the function of the cerebellum. But its also a spiritual understanding wherever that resides.
I could never foresee a spirtual dive. For me it usually happened when on my own. Time to think. Time to retreat into my personality. Not to be distracted by others. Maybe similiar to Simon's perceptions for clearly he finds it easier for self analysis and thought when on his own. Solo diving ? Yes. Most of mine were. I am not a follower of rules. Health and Safety is cramping our spiritual awareness. Maybe its necessary in the early days. Oh and never be concieted enough to think that you know it all. That is foolish. Survive by your awareness of self. Your " understanding " of the environment that you are in. Two spiritual diving experiences come to mind. Both solo. One at night in the hold of the Thistlegorm in the Red Sea. Wartime cargo of trucks with BSA motor bikes in. Just me and a huge grouper swimming side by side through those vehicles. Did we both share that same spiritual understanding of our environment? Maybe he just thought that I had some food. Another was solo mid water as I was encompassed by a huge shoal of barracuda. They passed me by with just a cursory glance whilst I marvelled at the spectacle. Oh there have been many more such. My old diving instuctor used to say " look at them darting around and seeing nothing ".
Caving can approach that awareness in a differant way. Often it is through the comments of others. The sharing of an experience. I would not really want to go caving solo in the same way as I did diving. There is more room for thought and introspection though. No deco penalty to pay for an extended visit to this alian domain. Utimately you have to think what can be your " reward " after decades in a sport. Past that point where you have " seen it all ". My reward, if you can call it that, is my humble ability to take and share photos. Maybe in forlorn hope that any spirituality will wear off on others and help them reach a point of understanding and self awareness that I believe I have come to. Also, as happened this week , to share experiences and speleological wonders with others who might appreciate them. Whilst changing for Reservoir Hole we are aften accompanied by tourists stopping to take photos. I nearly always initiate a conversation. ( Its a wonder we get down the cave on occassion ). They usually refer to the common perception of dark and dangerous. Just sometimes I help them see it a different way. Perhaps I will set up a stand there if ever I become too feeble to cave myself. Yes. Time to think and time to act. Maybe time to appreciate and understand. Take that journey into self. There is a lot of wood in those trees.
I have always said that there is a spiritual connection with caving and diving. Not man against nature, not a bludgening force but a true symbiosis. Oh if only this translated into "real " life. An alien world in both instances. My companion to The Frozen Deep this week kept thanking me for the trip. No my friend it is you I thank as you have understood and appreciated that wonderful place. Savoured the atmosphere and marveled at wonders there both big and small . I was honoured to share my humble photographs and experiences with you. As ever when entering there I am close to tears. The emotion of that first day comes tumbling back. I would have cried then had I not stood manfully next to Alison. Oh that did happen when I got home. So with 25 years of diving and 55 years of caving I am close to understanding that rise to a spiritual level. It rarely comes soon in either pastime. You have to learn and advance skills, practice and see what is on offer. You pit yourself against what you percieve as a challange. Is it always thus ? Eventually you pass that stage and evolve into a new comfort zone. Then at last you can see what truly is on offer. I always say to new cavers " dont fight the rock . It will surely win." Fitness and stamina help but the " understanding "is the key. You subconciously view each difficulty and reason the way through or around it. You take the easy route for you because of that understanding. Rarely does that process become obvious to you. It has become inate through the years. Its like riding a bike. One minute its all difficulty then its second nature. Oh some will say its the function of the cerebellum. But its also a spiritual understanding wherever that resides.
I could never foresee a spirtual dive. For me it usually happened when on my own. Time to think. Time to retreat into my personality. Not to be distracted by others. Maybe similiar to Simon's perceptions for clearly he finds it easier for self analysis and thought when on his own. Solo diving ? Yes. Most of mine were. I am not a follower of rules. Health and Safety is cramping our spiritual awareness. Maybe its necessary in the early days. Oh and never be concieted enough to think that you know it all. That is foolish. Survive by your awareness of self. Your " understanding " of the environment that you are in. Two spiritual diving experiences come to mind. Both solo. One at night in the hold of the Thistlegorm in the Red Sea. Wartime cargo of trucks with BSA motor bikes in. Just me and a huge grouper swimming side by side through those vehicles. Did we both share that same spiritual understanding of our environment? Maybe he just thought that I had some food. Another was solo mid water as I was encompassed by a huge shoal of barracuda. They passed me by with just a cursory glance whilst I marvelled at the spectacle. Oh there have been many more such. My old diving instuctor used to say " look at them darting around and seeing nothing ".
Caving can approach that awareness in a differant way. Often it is through the comments of others. The sharing of an experience. I would not really want to go caving solo in the same way as I did diving. There is more room for thought and introspection though. No deco penalty to pay for an extended visit to this alian domain. Utimately you have to think what can be your " reward " after decades in a sport. Past that point where you have " seen it all ". My reward, if you can call it that, is my humble ability to take and share photos. Maybe in forlorn hope that any spirituality will wear off on others and help them reach a point of understanding and self awareness that I believe I have come to. Also, as happened this week , to share experiences and speleological wonders with others who might appreciate them. Whilst changing for Reservoir Hole we are aften accompanied by tourists stopping to take photos. I nearly always initiate a conversation. ( Its a wonder we get down the cave on occassion ). They usually refer to the common perception of dark and dangerous. Just sometimes I help them see it a different way. Perhaps I will set up a stand there if ever I become too feeble to cave myself. Yes. Time to think and time to act. Maybe time to appreciate and understand. Take that journey into self. There is a lot of wood in those trees.
