For the Love of Animals
A unique inspiration into mindfulness, and youthfulness.
Jellyfish are bloodless, boneless, brainless, creatures that have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They are the oldest multicellular organism in existence. They eat, move, reproduce and sense. They are 95% water. In comparison we are 70% water by mass and 95% water by molecules. So perhaps in this regard we are not so different.
What ancient wisdom do they possess?
First some fun facts- They are not fish. Lacking bones they are invertebrates and are more appropriately being called Sea Jellies. Their main body is made up of a jelly like substance call Mesoglea, a cool term for a blob of gelatinous goo. As there are over 300,000 species of jellies, there is only one that is immortal, at least that we know of at this time. Aside from the Moon Jellies this is one of my favorites, the Immortal Jelly, Turritopsis dorhnii.
Turritopsis dorhnii is the only animal, currently that we know of, on the planet that is immortal. In times of stress, it reverses it life cycle through a process called transdifferentiation. Unlike other animals, it does not contain stemcells. Its cells actually become another cell. During the transdifferentiation youthing process it reverts back into a polyp. But before it does this it goes into a dormant state called a cyst. This is much like deep state of mediation. It is here where all the repair and regeneration happen.
Unlike humans who when under stress, secrete large amounts of cortisol and other stress hormones that lead to cell arrest and death, this immortal Sea jelly regenerates under stress. Under trauma, stress or any other situation that may threaten its life and create an inconvenient and untimely death, it takes a pause, and becomes very introspective. In this state it becomes desensitized to its outer world and focuses all its energy into its DNA repair. It is here that it secretes large amounts of telomerase. This is the enzyme that protects the destruction and is the repair mechanisms of the telomeres.
Telomeres are the DNA codes at the end of the chromosomes that protect it, like the cygnets at the ends of the shoelaces so they don’t fray. We have all experienced the frustration of trying to lace up a sneaker that didn’t have one. As cells divide and replicate, each time, more and more of the telomere is used and when it is gone the cell starts to die.
The immortal jelly in its ancient wisdom, understands that in times of stress it is best to go within, focus our energy into the deepest parts of ourselves that are connected to the deep and vast energetic source, our DNA.
Research into the use and production of telomerase is the main focus of anti-aging and regeneration medicine. Studies have shown that in deep mediative, transcendental states, where our consciousness is connected to source, our physiology changes and immediate biological upgrades and DNA repair has taken place. This phenomenon has been experienced in many workshops with Dr. Joe Dispenza. If this is possible in these moments, then it is possible.
We can be like the immortal Turritopsis dorhnii sea jelly. Secrete excess telomerase and repair our DNA, consciously, as we take a pause from the external stressors of our lives, become silent, go within, connect to something greater than ourselves, repair, and rejuvenate.
If Jellies can do it, so can we. Become the Jelly.
Stay tuned for the next blog… the Wisdom of the Moon Jellies