Whilst working as a marine biologist on Boulder Island, Myanmar, I conducted some dive exploration within the Mergui Archipelago. In this video, I showcase some of the dive sites discovered by our team (Bond Rock & Neverland). I also had the opportunity to visit more famous sites such as Pink Canyon and The Arch - known for their soft coral abundance.

I decided to put together a video called ‘Primal Joy’ to try to replicate the feeling of diving there. I discovered the term primal joy earlier this year reading a book called 'Sea Change' - written alongside the brilliant documentary My Octopus Teacher. The music is a track called ‘X ft Clara La San’ which was released as part of the album Isles by Bicep. This electronic track had a progressive and chaotic feeling to it which perfectly captures the underwater world.

Primal Joy is an evolutionary trait that is triggered when the psyche is confronted with the sheer power of nature. The brain is flooded with natural feel-good chemicals which expand consciousness.

Early humans sort out these mind states to bring stability and peace to their group. The overriding message that came with these experiences was one of unification. The sense of belonging to one united entity was very useful in forming strong bonds within the group, and with the animals and plants that supported life. It made people care about the group and the environment, sometimes before their own individual needs. This in itself was a powerful survival tool.

In our modern society, these experiences are less common. Our psyche is trapped in a small world molded by the corporate industrial complex. When we are not given access to these experiences, some people retreat deeper and deeper into their own egos. This can create intense feelings of loneliness and lead to anxiety and depression. Primal joy is a very powerful antidote to these modern super-predictors of the mind, as it lets us experience our wild-born nature, returning one's self to the human's fundamental design.

I'm hoping to return to the water later this year!

Thank you for watching!

Rob

свернуть