Skip to content

‘I Have Become Water’: A Story about the Importance of Mindfulness

“To become a spectator of your present moment is mindfulness.”

It was eight o’clock in the evening. Vinu sat in his room, deeply engrossed in a novel, when the doorbell rang, followed by a soft knock. Ramana Sastry, Vinu’s father, had just returned from his job at the Vizag seaport, where he worked as an underwater welder.

Vinu hurried to open the door and wrapped his arms around his father. “Dad, I’m starving! Please get ready quickly. I’ve already set the table.”

Ramana smiled; exhaustion was evident in his eyes. “Give me five minutes, Vinu. I’m hungry, too.”

As they sat down for dinner, Vinu spoke up between bites. “Dad, I have a holiday on Tuesday. Can we go out somewhere?”

“I’m not sure, Vinu. I have work, and there’s an important welding task to finish underwater,” Ramana replied, his voice gentle but firm.

Vinu frowned. “But I don’t want to waste my holiday at home. Can’t you take a day off?”

Ramana shook his head. “I wish I could, son, but I took leave recently when you were sick. My manager won’t approve another one so soon. But,” he added with a twinkle in his eye, “you can come with me to the harbour.”

“No, Dad, the harbour is so boring,” Vinu sighed.

“Boring? I go there every day, and it never feels that way.”

“But Dad—”

Ramana cut him off with a smile. “How about I take you underwater? You’ll love it.”

Vinu’s eyes widened. “Promise?”

“I’ll have to get permission from my manager, but I think it’s possible,” Ramana assured him.

“Thanks, Dad!”

Tuesday arrived, and Ramana kept his promise. He took Vinu to the harbour, where they donned life jackets, diving masks, and helmets and prepared for the dive.

“Dad,” Vinu asked as they got ready, “aren’t you ever scared of diving deep underwater every day?”

Ramana chuckled softly. “No, son. It feels like a second home to me. There’s a deep serenity down there. Are you afraid?”

“A little,” Vinu admitted. “It’s like being in a dream, but also scary.”

“Don’t worry,” Ramana reassured him. “I’ll be with you the whole time. Just follow my lead.”

As they descended into the water, Vinu noticed the surrounding stillness. “Dad, where are your welding tools?” he asked, his voice muffled through the helmet.

“I didn’t bring them today. I set aside these two hours just for you. It’s too risky to work while you’re with me,” Ramana explained.

“But Dad, isn’t it dangerous down here? Don’t you feel you’re gambling with your life every day?”

Ramana paused for a moment before answering. “It can be risky, Vinu. But I love what I do. I never feel afraid because I’ve learned to stay in the moment, to be fully present.”

He guided Vinu to a calmer spot and continued. “I was scared, too, when I was your age,” he said. Your grandfather worked here as a supervisor, and I sometimes accompanied him. After he passed away, I took his place. I’ve been working underwater‌ with specialised training for over twenty years.”

“Wow, that’s been a long time,” Vinu said, impressed.

“Do you know why I’ve been able to thrive here?” Ramana asked, his eyes softening. “It’s because of something my father taught me—mindfulness.”

“What’s mindfulness, Dad?” Vinu asked, intrigued.

“Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment,” Ramana explained. You’re like a spectator, doing your tasks and simply watching events unfold. When you prepare for an exam, you shouldn’t worry about the results or how well you performed in previous exams. You study, learn, and prepare for the exam – you are entirely present in the moment. It’s all about being aware or having a presence of mind. You are aware of your work and your studies, and you are mindful. It doesn’t mean your mind is full; it means you are in total awareness of the present, leaving all worry of the future – how you would perform in the exam or the past – when you dread failure. The presence of mind means being present, voluntary, and available to whatever is occurring right now. Being available here and now is a presence of mind or mindfulness.’

Vinu thought for a moment. “So, if I practice mindfulness, will I stop being afraid?”

Ramana smiled. “Yes, Vinu. When I first started diving, I was terrified. But I remembered my father’s lesson on mindfulness and started applying it every day. I became one with the water, focusing only on my work. The fear just faded away.”

He continued, ‘When your mind becomes filled with thoughts, causing stress about your past or future, remember to be mindful. Don’t leave your mind occupied with these many thoughts; just be watchful, and a significant presence arises. The presence functions without force, in its own accord, and then you don’t react to the moment the present responds. It will free you from distractions and judgment, making you aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. With mindfulness, you won’t fear challenges that come your way.’

Vinu closed his eyes momentarily, letting his father’s words sink in. He stretched his arms out, feeling the surrounding water. Opening his eyes, he saw a simple symbol Ramana had drawn in the sand below.

“Dad,” Vinu said quietly, “I think I’ve become the water.”

At that moment, Vinu truly understood his father’s lesson about mindfulness—being fully present and engaged in life, like a drop of water, serene and unwavering amidst the vast sea of existence. So, he realised he could face any challenge that came his way—calm, courageous, and completely present.

Join the conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *