Turtle (or toirtoise)
Kurma
Ao
Nymphe Chelone
In YajurVeda, is said that the whole earth is standing on a toirtoise or Kurma so it is stable, while Prajapati symbolised the tortoise as a symbol of reproducive power. Tortoise controls the mind and body and attains spiritual bliss because one restrains from worldly affairs. The turtle can withdraw its limbs and mouth under the tomb-like shell whenever needed, like the yogi can meditate himself and retreat from the world.
It is IN the body but also OUT there, when it wants to have a taste of what is beyond (as inhuman desire).
The Chinese Ao (turtle) the goddess Nuwa cut the legs of tthe giant sea turtle and used them to prop up the sky. For the Chinese, the turtle is sacred and symbolizes longevity, fertility and power.
In Greek mythology (Chelone) initiates from south Peloponese and it was a nymph up on the mountains. Chelone dared to make fun of Zeus and Hera on their wedding day, so she was condemned from Zeus to live permanently in the water.
The image of the turtle endured through centuries across many cultures in mythology, art, literature, iconography and is very evocative in impressions and quaalities.
The turtle's breath, long and unhurried is a lesson in patience - a symbol of life measured not in haste but in depth.
Let's consider the breath length of the turtle.
It's long, mindful and deep ~ a sign of long life.
Now, let's take a pause, retreat and breathe deeply ~~ then repeat ~~
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