Free Diving, Meditation, and Jacques Mayol (1927-2001)

"Freediving is about silence…the silence that comes from within" - Jacques Mayol

Abdellah is getting ready to dive. That means he is absolutely still and silent. He does not even look like he is breathing. I once sat before a Zen priest who was in deep meditation and, by comparison to Abdellah, that priest was convulsive.

I realize now that Abdellah is exhaling. He has been exhaling for a few minutes. He will exhale so slowly that, …