Sometimes people make the mistake of making a casual statement about the weather to me. And sometimes I pick up on the fact that it is indeed just a passing comment, and I respond appropriately. “Yes, it is really hot today, hopefully we get some rain tomorrow.”

But sometimes I launch into the details of the weather patterns like a new convert to Malley’s Chocolate.

Person making casual small talk: “It’s so hot today. I hope the rain tomorrow cools things down.”

Me: “Yes! That cold front should cool the temperature down! Isn’t it fascinating how it is causing drastic differences in temperature and generating those intense storms?! And the pressure difference! Have you seen that low pressure system spin? It’s covering half the country! One of its bands should hit here tonight! It is a pattern we frequently see in the spring but not in July. It is probably caused by the oscillation of the Jet Stream….”

Person wanting only casual small talk: “Yeah, I’m going to go find some AC.”

I have always been fascinated by the weather, but it wasn’t until I began teaching physical geography that it began making a lot of sense (if you really want to learn something, teach it…). Global temperature and atmospheric pressure patterns are ultimately responsible for our local, day-to-day weather patterns but it can be challenging to make the link between the two.

Most of us look at the weather forecast to see what to plan for – sunshine or rain, hot or cold? Should we buy snacks for a picnic on Saturday or not? Should we take a rain jacket  to work? But what causes the weather to be sunny or cloudy and rainy? Much of the time, it has to do with which pressure system is dominating a region.

Atmospheric pressure is a significant driver of our weather patterns. You’ve probably heard the terms “high pressure” and “low pressure” systems on weather reports. When a high pressure system is over a region, the weather will usually be clear and sunny. If a low pressure system is in place, however, the weather will likely be unstable, cloudy, with the possibility of rain, snow, or storms.

One of the easiest ways to picture a pressure system is to think of a hurricane as seen on a weather map, which is an extreme example of a low pressure system, but one we have probably all viewed on news reports. If you recall the spiraling image of a hurricane on a radar screen, the center of the hurricane – the eye – is the area of lowest pressure and winds are being pulled in towards that center. Because of the Coriolis Effect, the winds do not blow straight into the center but are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, which results in a spiraling, counter-clockwise swirling motion. As the winds converge at the center, they are also ascending upwards.

With a high pressure system, winds are blowing outwards, away from the center of high pressure. Again, because of the Coriolis Effect, high pressure systems spin, but they flow in a clockwise pattern. The winds within a high pressure system are descending and moving from the center of the system, outwards, which produces a stable atmosphere, and therefore generally clear and sunny skies.

In summary,

Low pressure system: cloudy or stormy, converging and ascending air flow, counterclockwise motion

High pressure system: sunny, diverging and descending air flow, clockwise motion

These patterns can help us better understand our weather conditions and also serve as examples that help illustrate our own energy system. Similar to pressure systems, we can give of ourselves and have love/generosity/kindness flow from our being outwards (like a high pressure system) or we can try to take it all in (like a low pressure system). Within a high pressure system, air descends and flows away, and as it does this, it does not create a vacuum but rather it pulls the air from the upper part of the atmosphere and sends it down and outward. This process produces atmospheric stability (calm weather conditions). Likewise, when we give of ourselves and allow love to flow outward, our being is more settled and secure. Low pressure systems pull the air in and send it upward to the upper part of the atmosphere, but in doing so, they generate instability within the atmosphere. Likewise, when we just want to pull energy towards us, we create a sense of clinging and insecurity. We are unsettled and have this desire to pull in more with the illusion that doing so will make us feel fulfilled.

Using Jesus as an example here, he was constantly giving of himself, not in a depleting manner, but in a life-giving way. He served more as a pipe that loved flowed into and then out of and on to others. He relied on the constant inflow of energy, and did not try to be the source of the energy. When we act as the source, we quickly can give out. He was able to accept energy from the Source and then freely send it out. We can also do this. We can allow love and life-giving energy in and then pass it on and give it away. We know the source of such love is infinite and have no need to hold on to it or act as if it will run out.

Contrasting Jesus, would be the tenancy to hold on tight to our “personal salvation projects,” as it has been called. This is when we draw boundaries, place people in categories, and act as though love/God/heaven is a scarce resource that we need to grab hold of before it runs out. We pull it in to us, we grab hold and suck it towards the center of our personal world. We then focus that energy in one direction and cannot see beyond our narrow view. Similar to storms, this can be destructive to ourselves and others. We all will have these “low pressure systems” blow in at least once in a while, but if they stay and are allowed to take over, they will generate much damage.

Our aim then, is to retain or restore the outward flow. When we are feeling angry, slighted, fearful, or like we just aren’t enough, our tendency is to constrict, pull within our self, and cling to anything we’ve got. We can recognize this and then work to regain an outward flow.

(Image: sunbeams over a white sand beach in Hawaii)