Omphaloskepsis

This evening I was engrossed in a session of omphaloskepsis, a practice I seem to fall into often lately. As you are aware, an omphalos is defined as a central point, or hub, a point of focus; hence omphaloskepsis is the contemplation of one's navel, the geographical center of the human body.

There are a number of reasons for one to contemplate his or her navel, not the least of which - said navel is attached to him or her. The navel or if you prefer, belly button, offers one's hands and fingers a central point, an omphalos of interest as an alternative to the more inviting places to the north and to the south.

The navel's prominence in our lives begins at birth. You might say that it is the "outlet" into which the umbilical cord is plugged as a power source from our mothers' nutrients. It is the remnant left behind when that connection is severed. I don't why it is that some navels recede inward and others extend outward. I am not interested in partaking of any research to learn why.

Depending on the "superstructure" that navels reside upon, they come in many sizes and two basic shapes. When it comes to shapes there are of course your standard navels: the "innies" and the "outies." Is one more desirable than the other? Is one more attractive than the other? Like other parts of the human anatomy it comes down to personal tastes and preferences.

In Eastern religions the navel is considered the most important center in Tantra, Para-Tan Ayurveda and Taoist healing practices. The navel is where negative emotions, stress, tension and sickness accumulate and congest.

If I were to contemplate the navel at the right, my attention is initially lured there because of the jewelry bedecking it. Honestly, while the navel is the omphalos of the image, my attention does not linger there for long. It's true that since I am representative of the male of the species, my interest in the picture differs from that of a female. It's that primal animal trait of the male of the species!
Now with this picture of a man with the same torso area exposed, I'm sure that a woman's interest would find her eyes drifting southward. It's that primal animal trait in the female of the species!

Besides being the omphalos of the human body, the belly button can actually serve some useful purposes. It can be used as a focal point while allowing one's stomach to conveniently obscure the view of a bathroom scale.

Anyone who possesses an "innie" can appreciate the navel's valuable ability to be a catchall for cracker or cookie crumbs. It can also serve as a repository for lint. Just where would all that lint end up if not for the navel?

In the present times the navel has been getting more attention than ever. This is due in part because of the in-vogue style of pierced belly buttons. It seems that no part of the human body is immune to pierced jewelry, but I won't let this post drift north or south of the navel.

So it is that my omphaloskepsis has led me down this path, blazing a trail to the navel. Yes, sometimes the act of contemplating one's navel can lead one to great discoveries, great ideas, and perhaps even great works of literature.

Alas, such contemplation has led me only to ... this post!

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