Part II

EXPLANATIONS: HOW FLOATATION WORKS

Repose, tranquillity, stillness, inaction—these are the levels of the universe, the ultimate perfection of the Tao.

—CHUANG TZU

In the green water; clear and warm,

Susanna lay.

She searched

The touch of springs

And found

Concealed imaginings.

She sighed,

For so much melody.

—WALLACE STEVENS, “Peter Quince at the Clavier”

Tout le malheur des hommes vient d’une seule chose, qui est dèc ne savoir pas demeurer en repos, dans une chambre.

—PASCAL

Tra il dire e il fare c’è de messo il mare.

—OLD ITALIAN SAYING