
PART 2 ARTICLE 3 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫
Many readers will find it reassuring to know that there is a tangible, physiological foundation for the experience I call inner being. My aim in writing Swimming Beneath the Iceberg describes the wealth of information stored within the subconscious mind and how to access it.
The unconscious holds everything we’ve ever experienced, felt, or inherited from those who came before us. It exerts a silent yet powerful influence on our lives.

Many physical symptoms and much emotional pain originate from this vast, uncharted space, which has yet to be fully understood or addressed by modern medical practice. However, this same space is also the wellspring of creativity, spirituality (in whatever form resonates with you), and the intrinsic love and decency that form the core of every person.
Our egos, dedicated to maintaining individual supremacy and dominance, work tirelessly to obscure this core. They thrive on competition and aggression, often at the expense of our deeper, kinder selves. The pervasive anger and hatred we see in the world today stand as evidence of egos running amok.

The only path out of both personal and collective suffering lies in rediscovering the peaceful, compassionate beings we were always meant to be, possible only when our egos are quieted. Practices to do just that will be demonstrated by the stories in this book.

Over two millennia ago, the Buddha described meditation as a way to reconnect with this inner peace and escape suffering. However, I avoid using the word “meditation” as it often evokes images of mystical states, completely emptying the brain of thoughts, and the ultimate bliss of nirvana; concepts that can feel unattainable for most of us.
While such experiences may have been part of the Buddha’s journey, they can discourage those seeking practical, grounded approaches. If you’re interested in exploring traditional meditation and its underlying philosophies, I have a book for that! Lynn’s Legacy: Mind, Body, and Spirit is available on christajohnsonmd.com.
Rest assured, Swimming Beneath the Tip of the Iceberg offers much more accessible alternatives, many of which you already do. There are simpler, more practical ways for everyday people to achieve the same sense of connection and inner peace.

Just Breathe…
One of the easiest and most effective ways to access your inner wisdom is through something as simple as breathing. By closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths, you activate neurophysiological mechanisms hardwired into your brain. This process happens automatically—no effort or conscious thought is required. In fact, overthinking can allow the ego to intrude, blocking your path to this peaceful state. It is usually the simplest acts that unlock the greatest insights.
The simple breath initiates and ongoing practice solidifies the following:
- Increase focus and awareness
- Increased control over emotions
- Decreased activity in the amygdala (fear center)
- Increased activity in hippocampus – improves memory and emotional resilience
- Increase alpha wave activity – promotes relaxation, decreases stress
- Increase theta waves – enhances creativity and deep relaxation
- Increase gamma waves – heightened awareness, and deep compassion
- Reduces activation of sympathetic nervous system – decreases heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels, initiates relaxation response, counteracts stress
- Enhances Parasympathetic nervous system – improves digestion, immune function and heart rate, enhances sense of well-being and peace
- Cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases
- Serotonin and Dopamine increase, improving mood and focus
- Endorphins increase, contributing to sense of wellbeing and euphoria
- Oxytocin, the love chemical, there to promote bonding between newborn and mother, increases, promoting love in all forms including universal and unconditional. Even snuggling your pet increases the flow of oxytocin!
- Increases gray matter, thereby increasing self-awareness, emotional regulation and empathy
- Increases white matter connectivity – improves cognitive and emotional integration
- Enhances immune system by reducing inflammation, increases telomerase activity supporting cellular longevity
- Improves focus, reduces anxiety, enhanced well being

*Summary provided by Chat GPT*
One must wonder why we have so many built-in mechanisms to quiet the ego, responsible for managing our lives on this planet. This begs the question, are we physical beings having spiritual experiences, or are we spiritual beings here to have physical experiences? Indeed, we are both.
Over time, focused breathing and the practices that my stories will demonstrate will contribute to improved physical and mental health. But far more importantly, will bring you to the most peaceful, loving, purpose driven, part of yourself, your inner being. The you that the world needs to become closer to the perfection of heaven on earth.
I will only present this data once as a reference but understand that it applies to every single story I will be telling.
Part 2: Article 3, Red Sky in Morning, demonstrates the first practice of Mindfulness.