"So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you pray"

Mary Oliver's quote, "So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you hope", offers a poetic expedition of inner reflection, external engagement, and spiritual practice. Each part of the quote hires images and actions that are deeply interconnected, revealing an extensive understanding of human experience.

The phrase "So this is how you swim inward" suggests a deliberate journey into one's inner self. Swimming inward implies a type of introspection, a diving into the depths of one's consciousness and emotions. This can be interpreted as an invite to check out the layers of the self, motivating mindfulness and self-awareness. By selecting the word "swim", Oliver stimulates the fluidity and effort it requires to browse our inner worlds, recommending that this is a natural yet active procedure.

Transitioning to "So this is how you flow outwards", Oliver shifts focus from introspection to external engagement. Flowing outside can be seen as the expression and communication of our inner discoveries to the world around us. It indicates a smooth transition from internal understanding to external expression, highlighting the way our inner states affect our interactions, imagination, and relationships. This circulation represents a natural extension of the self into the world, recommending a simple and easy melding of inner and outer experiences.

Finally, "So this is how you hope" connects the 2 procedures together, framing them as acts of spirituality. Prayer here may be interpreted beyond spiritual undertones, seen instead as a communion with deep space or a greater self. It suggests that both self-questioning (swimming inward) and expression (flowing outward) are sacred acts that connect us to something higher. In this view, prayer becomes a holistic cycle of self-discovery and world engagement.

In essence, Oliver captures a transformative process: comprehending oneself deeply, interacting authentically, and existing spiritually. Her words motivate a consistency between reflection and action, inner peace and external impact, individual growth, and universal connection.