“Get into the flow” has been a catchy phrase for
several decades. We think we know what it means: good stuff happens, right? Is
that all it’s about?
If you’ve ever been aware that you were in flow, you
know how good that feels. We’re actually always in the flow, but the fact is we
don’t always feel it or, rather, we’re not always aware of it. The “flow” is a
stream of consciousness and energy that is always in motion, always evolving.
It’s the All That Is that we are part of. We’re in the stream at all times, but
it can feel as though we aren’t. Why is that? Since we’re always in the stream,
we can only feel or believe that we aren’t, which means any perceived
separation from the stream is just that: a perception, not a Truth. So, to be
in flow is often, but not always, a conscious choice, and to be out of flow is
always a subconscious choice (who would consciously choose to be out of the
flow?). Whichever our choice, it then becomes our state of being and an
experience.
I was contemplating what it means to be in flow
and these words came to me: “You have to
trust, to be in flow; and to be in flow, you have to trust.” The words
clarified the process I’ve experienced: Each requires and results in the other.
When you trust Source to act in your behalf and trust that all your needs are
always and in all ways met, you’re in flow. When you’re in flow, you trust that
Source always and in all ways meets your needs and acts in your behalf. And
that trust leads you to feel serene, open, and receptive. But, of course,
there’s more to this—there always is.
There are aspects of being in flow. One aspect is
non-resistance to what-is. This doesn’t mean you have to like or “want”
what-is; you just have to release your resistance about it. This includes
anger, frustration, self-doubt, and trying to force your will on others and or
the situation. Non-resistance does not mean you allow improper behavior or
abuse or don’t do what you need to do to affect improvement. Non-resistance
means that rather than wallowing in negativity, you find a way to get your
awareness back in alignment with trust in Source, which puts you back into the
flow so that right solutions come to you and or happen for you. Again, there is
more to understand about this, which I’ll get to. Just know that release of resistance is a key that opens a
door to a magical realm within you
and in your life.
During one of my morning meditations, I looked at
something I’d been saying: “It is Truth that my abundance, prosperity, and
well-being are always and in all ways supplied by Source.” A realization caused
me to adjust that statement to “It is Truth that my abundance, prosperity, and
well-being are Source.” Many of us,
despite what we know or practice, still tend to perceive Source as something
separate from us, and that our abundance, prosperity, and well-being are also
separate from us. But, this is not so. There is only Source. Everything in
existence is Source. We are individualized expressions of Source. Just as we
are always in the stream, everything and everyone we interact with is Source,
which includes us. This is something to wrap your mind and understanding
around. It may take a while.
Maybe you know how to get yourself—your
awareness—into the flow and maybe you don’t. Maybe you’d like some tips on how
to do this quicker and easier. There are some things to consider about this
first, because the things to consider are also tips.
For example, what about when you ask or pray for
something? Do you feel in flow at such times, or do you feel outside of it? One
way to get into flow at such times is to understand that the ultimate prayer or request and the ultimate answer are the same,
or should be—if you truly desire to be in flow: “Thank you for always and in all ways acting in and for my highest good
and the highest good of all involved, and always in right timing.” For you
to be fully on board with this and trust it, as your own practice, there’s
something you need to understand: sometimes the answer may feel like it’s
anything but the answer, until the moment you realize it is.
One personal example is this: I had a serious,
debilitating experience going on for me and nothing I tried worked to shift it.
After struggling with this for a Very Long Time, I finally realized I was addressing the situation through resistance,
even though I believed I was trying to be constructive and productive in my
attempts to affect a solution or resolution, also known as trying to control
everything and everyone involved so I could feel better. So I said, “Source,
I’m leaving my ego’s need to fix this the way it wants it fixed out of this and
I’m turning this matter over to you, because, frankly, I don’t know what the
hell to do about it. I trust you to act in and for my highest good and the
highest good of all involved.” And, I meant it. I was flat-out frustrated, and
I knew frustration was not the path that would get me where I wanted to be.
Well, a lot of shift had to hit the fan first.
And, yes, there were many moments (days during a several-month period) when I
was anything but serene. Then something happened: What was needed showed up,
or, rather, unfolded, in its right timing. I soon realized how everything that
had happened had been necessary, and how utterly
brilliant it all was. There was no way I could ever have accomplished the
inner and outer outcome on my own, and I really mean that. The design plan was flawless. Only a
consciousness that had all the
information could accomplish that outcome. What was needed was provided, even
if it felt at times like I was in hell or at least purgatory while getting
there.
I realize that not everyone thinks about these
things the same way I do. For some, they perceive only what they see and never
go deeper. I see beyond what appears evident (eventually, and because I look
for it because I KNOW it’s there): I see the cosmic tapestry where all the
threads contribute to the bigger picture, if you will. And sometimes what I
perceive about events could or would make some people feel uncomfortable or
even angry and absolutely ready to dispute my interpretation.
An example of this is a friend who had to say
goodbye to her elderly, failing, beloved dog. That’s a heartache that only
someone who’s been there can empathize with. About a year later, she and her
husband had their first child, and the child, it turned out, was allergic to
dogs. As painful as losing her dog had been, imagine the heartache that would
have happened had she been forced to face the situation that could have arisen.
Every living thing has its time and purpose. And, there is a higher-level
communication between all things that is going on at all times that we are not
consciously aware of, until we see the evidence of it, if we use our “eyes” to
see it with. This kind of awareness is another form of being in flow, as are
moments of intuition.
Another form of being in the flow is to realize
the truth that “No man is an island.” Just as we often perceive Source and our
good, our resources, as outside of us, we can also perceive ourselves and our
resources as separate from others. The no-separation Truth ties in with another
statement I make during my morning meditation: “Thank you for my ongoing
unlimited increase in Mind, Wisdom, Mindfulness, Intuition, Serenity, Money,
Energy, Creativity, Spiritual Realization, Well-Being, and (something private
to me that also serves others as well as me).”
Each of the aspects I listed are obviously good
things to have and experience, and perhaps you can see why anyone would want them
to be part of their being and life. But one morning, the realization came to me
that not only do these things serve and benefit me, but that they also allow me
to serve and benefit others in ways appropriate for them and for me—and are meant to do so. No man is an
island—ever—except in his own mind and or heart.
Suddenly, my statement had an entirely new texture
and I had an entirely new understanding and feeling (realization) within me. To
be in flow means we have to realize that it’s not a one-way street that flows
into our life and stops there. This may seem obvious, but is it really
integrated as your understanding and way of thinking, feeling, and being?
Whatever we desire or need and receive and have is meant to flow to us, for us,
and through us in some way, at some time, and in some measure. That awareness,
that consciousness, that realization is another form of being in flow.
If you’ve had any level of struggle in your life,
it’s possible that your primary focus has been on receiving; and you may have
felt that as soon as you have extra to give or share, you’ll give or share it.
Apply my list to this, as though it were your own, and see what comes up for
you. Here’s the list again: ongoing unlimited increase in Mind, Wisdom,
Mindfulness, Intuition, Serenity, Money, Energy, Creativity, Spiritual
Realization, and Well-Being. Can you feel
the benefit to you and to others, if these are your experiences? Can you
perceive how life is richer for all involved when they overlap?
In times of struggle, appreciation is definitely a
form of putting yourself back into the flow. Say money is a bit tight, but
there are things you need to take care of that require money. Maybe a lump sum
shows up for you or maybe various amounts show up at different times, and what
you experience is each need being able to be met at the right time—maybe not
ahead of time, as your ego aspect would prefer, but in the right timing. Any
moment when you can genuinely appreciate how this is working out for you is a
moment that puts you—through your awareness—back into the flow.
Being in the flow, where you receive what it is
you desire and need is wonderful. But being in the flow where you understand
the greater give-and-receive loop that feels
so good is even better. It’s a higher level of being in flow. When we
practice being in the flow, we truly do not have to seek what we need and want,
it comes to us in expected, unexpected, and wonderful ways, and often with a
promptness that is astonishing, as Dr. Ernest C. Wilson stated. It’s the
ultimate way to work smarter, not harder. It’s a good practice, one you’ll
appreciate.
Practice makes progress.
© Joyce L. Shafer
You are welcome to use this article in your
newsletter or on your blog/website as long as you use my complete bio with it.
Joyce L. Shafer is a Life Empowerment
Coach dedicated to helping people feel, be, and live their true inner power.
She’s author of “I Don’t Want to be Your Guru, But I Have Something to Say” and
other books/e-books, and publishes a free weekly online newsletter that offers
empowering articles. See all that’s offered by Joyce and on her site at http://stateofappreciation.weebly.com
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