Ancient egyptian Quote by Peter Matthiessen
““I walk lighter, stumble less, with more spring in leg and lung, keeping my center of gravity deep in the belly, and letting that center 'see.' At these times, I am free of vertigo, even in dangerous places; my feet move naturally to firm footholds, and I flow. But sometimes for a day or more, I lose this feel of things, my breath is high up in my chest, and then I cling to the cliff edge as to life itself. And of course it is this clinging, the tightness of panic, that gets people killed: 'to clutch,' in ancient Egyptian, 'to clutch the mountain,' in Assyrian, were euphemisms that signified 'to die'" (125).””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen, 1978
Balancing body and mind reduces panic and improves natural movement, while anxiety raises breath and creates a clinging, dangerous state.
In simple terms: Calm body, calm mind prevents panic.
Key Takeaway
Practice deep breathing and centered posture.
Themes
mindfulness
balance
panic
movement
survival
Mood
alert
focused
steady
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- mountain climbing
- public speaking
- high‑stress work
- athletic training
Key Concepts
embodiment
physiology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you maintain center in sudden stress?
- What practices help you notice breath depth?
A Different Perspective
Anxiety can still overwhelm despite techniques.
