Wellbeing
Eric Zener is known for his paintings depicting water and the powerful sway it holds over one’s emotions. Water has always been humanity’s greatest teacher of surrender. The woman in the painting titled “How to Disappear Completely” understands this ancient wisdom. Her face, tilted toward the sky, speaks of complete trust. When we lower ourselves into its embrace and lean back, something magical happens. The very substance that can overwhelm and terrify us in its power becomes our most gentle supporter. Our bodies, which feel so heavy on land, suddenly become weightless. Our minds, typically churning with thoughts, begin to quiet as we focus on the simple rhythm of breath and the gentle lapping of water around us.
In a world that never stops spinning, where our minds race from one task to the next and our bodies carry the weight of constant motion, there exists a profound counter-practice: the simple act of floating. Not just in water, though that serves as our most literal teacher, but in life itself—learning to release control and trust in the buoyancy of being. But floating can also be a metaphor for how we might approach life’s challenges with less resistance and more grace. How often do we exhaust ourselves fighting against circumstances that would be better navigated through acceptance? How much energy do we waste trying to control outcomes that are ultimately beyond our grasp?
Modern neuroscience validates what contemplatives have known for centuries: our brains need periods of rest to function optimally. The default mode network, active when we’re not focused on specific tasks, is crucial for creativity, self-reflection, and mental restoration. Floating—whether in water or in the metaphorical sense of allowing our minds to drift—activates this restorative state. This practice also teaches our nervous systems how to shift from fight-or-flight mode into a state of deep relaxation. The art of floating teaches us that surrender is not defeat—it’s wisdom. It’s the recognition that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop doing and simply be. Like the person floating in still water, we can learn to trust that we are supported, even when we can’t see what’s holding us up.
How does this painting make you feel?
Artwork: Eric Zener
Great photo- I get the feeling that the woman is feeling liberated!
I agree! Love the details of this photo.