My love for marine life is undeniable and that is why I learned scuba diving, skin diving, free diving or any underwater activity that would momentarily take me away from the human race. Anything that affords me the luxury of complete silence.
There was a time in my life when I was serious about diving without an air tank. I wasn't really going too deep like the pros but to go against the pressure was quite an adrenaline rush. I was so free and weightless. I actually started diving without the apparatus and it was the proper adventure that I had been looking for in life. You only shrink your lungs and deprive your body of oxygen. There's also the possibility of blackout anytime. I mean, if you are going to die, why not die while doing what you want eh? So free-diving feels like dying but not really. For me, it is more like living for the moment because there's really nothing to think about when you are underwater. It is more like overcoming your fear of death in order to experience being alive.
I remember when I was scared of the sea because of this feeling of not knowing what's in there. You can't underestimate the power of nature. Underwater is the epitome of the great unknown. It is mysterious and endless. You don't even know if there's a Kraken that could suddenly appear and swallow you whole. But overcoming the fear of the unknown is what makes life so exciting.
The experience is not really just physical. It is more philosophical and deep in all senses.
When you don't dive with an air tank, the aquatic animals seem not scared of you and you feel magically in one with the sea. It's more like a fair game between you and the fish. You don't stay under for too long and you don't betray their trust.
Some underwater creatures might steal the moment from you though. But hey, let them eat your face from time to time!
I had a friend who taught me how to hold my breath underwater for a long time. It takes conserving your energy and being so relaxed. Think of good thoughts... I always remember what he told me whenever I feel the need to breathe. I try to focus my attention on the beauty that surrounds me, the rich marine life and the amazing underwater landscape. It feels like prolonging your life even more. It is an unnatural element for humans but it makes you powerful. It makes you feel alive.