There is a
phenomenon in the ocean called a deep scattering layer.
It refers to a dense grouping of animal
life that is so thick that it appears as a land mass. Early sonar readings would find an unusually high seabed,
but were later to discover that the pinging echoes were being deflected by the
deep scattering layer…….a layer of marine life that “scatters” sound. In effect it gives a false reading on
things. It was only discovered
when someone realized it was moving.
Besides just
loving the phrase itself, the image of this has stayed with me for the past
week. It makes me think of those
dense areas of our personalities that reflect things back to us and not always
accurately. Maybe old wounded
places, scar tissue, making it hard to see a clear picture of our parts. Or maybe it is the thought of deep rich
fluid wells of nurturance, soul food, a hidden variety that we would only see
at ocean bottom, things only
visible when we managed to get down, down under the surface movement.
Don’t you love
words or phrases that take you somewhere else. Words that pull you into an ocean of experience.
Imagine what it would be like to be underwater and swim into
the scattering layer.
I think it would feel odd to begin with. Scary maybe. The light would dim. 
I remember swimming in a mountain lake in upstate New York many years ago on a hot summer afternoon, and as the day cooled, the small fish from the bottom were rising and I suddenly felt them bumping into my body, my legs and even my face. Initially it was terrifying but soon I relaxed and it became a sensation not unlike a massage. It was comforting even.I wonder if humans will ever make peace with all of us critters... real and metaphorical.
Swim Deeply.
Misty Wycoff
28 May 2015
