March 27, 2011
Dear Friends,
As I prepare this week’s message, James Arthur Ray, a popular self-help “guru,” is on trial for contributing to the deaths of three people who participated in a sweat lodge ceremony that he conducted here in Sedona in October of 2009. In addition to the three people who lost their lives, at least fifteen other people became seriously ill during this tragic incident.
Usually, a sweat lodge ceremony is reasonably safe, because the person in charge of this sacred ritual continually monitors the well-being of the participants, and allows anyone to leave the lodge if they are experiencing severe, physical discomfort. Although Ray did not physically restrain anyone from leaving, one survivor of the ordeal claims that those who did attempt to leave—or complained about their distress—were strongly encouraged to “push through it.” In other words, they were encouraged to endure their discomfort, to persevere, and to literally “sweat it out.” Regardless of whether Ray is found guilty of an actual crime or not, the outcome of his kind of mentality proved to be disastrous.
There are many lessons that can be learned from this unfortunate tragedy. But what it immediately brings to my mind—and is pertinent to the focus of my work—is the importance of knowing the difference between “flow” and “force” when it comes to pursuing your chosen destinations in life. When you ignore the divine flow of life, and choose, instead, to push ahead and force your way forward, there can be undesired consequences.
That’s not to say that being in the divine flow always feels completely comfortable. In fact, there may be times when the divine flow will purposely invite you to step out of your personal comfort zone. But if you look closely at what your personal comfort zone is, you will see that is usually a “box” that was artificially created by your own personal history and conditioning . . . and it feels good to finally move beyond that limited—and limiting—space.
It appears, though, that Ray was doing far more than asking people to move beyond their personal comfort zone. He was inviting them to tolerate extreme discomfort, and encouraging them to ignore what their bodies were trying to tell them. There are physical limits to what the body can endure, and to what the body can do. And even though professional athletes are continually stretching those boundaries, those expansions happen very gradually, and in very tiny increments.
Friends, there are going to be plenty of times in life when you will run into a formidable obstacle that seems to be blocking you from reaching your desired destination. And there will probably be well-meaning people around you who will encourage you to “push through it.” In those times, just remember to refrain from acting hastily, and—through prayer, meditation, and/or contemplation—try to discern if the next step that you are considering taking feels “fluid” or “forceful.”
Remember that being in the flow is not about taking a step just because you can. It’s about attuning yourself to divine guidance, and taking the step that you are being divinely directed to take . . . a step that is usually a tiny, little, baby step—one that is right in front of you, and relatively easy to do.
Remember that being in the flow is not about forcing your way through an obstacle. It’s about flowing around that obstacle, or sometimes—through the power of divine love—watching that obstacle dissolve right before your very eyes.
In other words, being in the flow is not about sweating it out. It’s about the grace and effortless ease you experience in life when all of your decisions and all of your actions are divinely inspired.
Do you have a particular goal or dream that you are pursuing right now? Then why not allow the divine flow to lead you to your desired destination. About the hardest thing you will have to do is exercise a little patience. Other than that, getting there should be . . . well . . . no sweat.
Steven
P.S. Discerning for yourself what is in your best interests—and what isn’t—is an important part of this topic. I will be focusing on that particular aspect of this subject in next week’s message.
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© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC
Friday, March 25, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Disasters and The Divine Flow
March 20, 2011
Dear Friends,
When a disaster occurs—like the devastating earthquake and tsunami that just struck Japan—we often turn our faces to the sky and cry, “Why, God? Why?” In our attempt to make sense out of what has happened, we desperately seek some kind of “divine” reason for it all. And that is completely understandable.
But in this physical world we live in—a world that is not only influenced by the choices of man, but also by the natural forces of wind and water and shifting ground—things happen . . . tragic things, sometimes. And the simple fact is, there may not be a “divine” explanation for it.
Perhaps a better question to ask right now is not why something has happened, but now that it has happened, what is our next right step? What is that divinely guided step that is not only in our own best interests, but in the best interests of all?
Remember that no matter what has happened or why it has happened, there can always be a divine flow from that point on . . . a healing flow that directs us and supports us in our return to health, wholeness, and an overall experience of well-being. The challenge, as always, is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small voice that is continually telling us the best way to help ourselves, and to help each other.
In this time of shock and grief, confusion and sadness, let us send our love and light to all the people in Japan who are in too much pain right now to sense any kind of divine flow in their lives.
Or, better yet, let us offer those people our aid in whatever way we feel divinely inspired to . . . and be the divine flow in their lives.
Steven
P.S. If you would like to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Japan with a donation, click here.
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
When a disaster occurs—like the devastating earthquake and tsunami that just struck Japan—we often turn our faces to the sky and cry, “Why, God? Why?” In our attempt to make sense out of what has happened, we desperately seek some kind of “divine” reason for it all. And that is completely understandable.
But in this physical world we live in—a world that is not only influenced by the choices of man, but also by the natural forces of wind and water and shifting ground—things happen . . . tragic things, sometimes. And the simple fact is, there may not be a “divine” explanation for it.
Perhaps a better question to ask right now is not why something has happened, but now that it has happened, what is our next right step? What is that divinely guided step that is not only in our own best interests, but in the best interests of all?
Remember that no matter what has happened or why it has happened, there can always be a divine flow from that point on . . . a healing flow that directs us and supports us in our return to health, wholeness, and an overall experience of well-being. The challenge, as always, is remaining open and receptive enough to hear that still, small voice that is continually telling us the best way to help ourselves, and to help each other.
In this time of shock and grief, confusion and sadness, let us send our love and light to all the people in Japan who are in too much pain right now to sense any kind of divine flow in their lives.
Or, better yet, let us offer those people our aid in whatever way we feel divinely inspired to . . . and be the divine flow in their lives.
Steven
P.S. If you would like to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Japan with a donation, click here.
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Hold On To Your Dream
March 13, 2011
Dear Friends,
In my last message I wrote about the importance of letting go of any rigid attachment you might have to a specific destination you have in mind—to the fulfillment of a specific goal, dream, or desire that you believe is best for you. But please notice my use of the word “specific,” because that word is significant.
Letting go of what you want to have, do, or be in life does not necessarily mean letting go of your dream in its entirety. It’s about letting go of the “specifics” of that dream—of what you think it specifically has to look like.
Remember that the divine flow is rarely guiding you to exactly what you “think” you want. Instead, it is guiding you to what will fulfill you the most, which is usually an experience of life that your inner spirit wishes to have—such as an experience of love, healing, or creative self-expression. And that experience can be manifested in a myriad of ways . . . not just the one you’ve thought of.
Do I dream of being a New York Times Best Selling Author? Of course I do. I think that would be wonderful. But I avoid becoming overly attached to that one specific dream. Why? Because I really don’t know—with absolute 100% certainty—that being a best selling author is the “soul-satisfying experience” that I assume it would be for me.
What I do Know (with a capital K) is this: When I share my spiritual journey and understanding with others, I experience a profound sense of joy and satisfaction. And writing a popular book is not the only way for me to share my truths and have that experience. I can also do it as a public speaker, as a class leader, as a private instructor, as a minister, or even as an Internet blogger. My job, I believe, is to stay in touch with my underlying desire to share my spiritual insights, and to allow the divine flow to orchestrate the best outcome for that desire—the one that would truly be best for me according to my own personal makeup.
Friends, as long as you feel enthusiastic about a particular dream of yours, by all means, hold on to that dream . . . but hold on mainly to its “essence”—to the experience of life that dream elicits. Whether your dream is a certain kind of career, or a particular kind of relationship, hold on to how that dream makes you feel. Hold on to the tremendous joy it brings you. Hold on to the deep sense of accomplishment it offers you. Hold on to the extraordinary feeling of love it gives you. But let go of the specifics.
By holding on to the “essence” or your dream, and letting go of the particulars, you allow the divine flow to guide you to something that will be truly fulfilling for you—something that will not only be in your best interests, but in the best interests of everyone . . . and something that may even be better than anything you have ever imagined.
Here’s to having dreams and pursuing dreams. But most of all, here’s to allowing those dreams to come true in whatever way is the most beneficial way for you.
Steven
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
In my last message I wrote about the importance of letting go of any rigid attachment you might have to a specific destination you have in mind—to the fulfillment of a specific goal, dream, or desire that you believe is best for you. But please notice my use of the word “specific,” because that word is significant.
Letting go of what you want to have, do, or be in life does not necessarily mean letting go of your dream in its entirety. It’s about letting go of the “specifics” of that dream—of what you think it specifically has to look like.
Remember that the divine flow is rarely guiding you to exactly what you “think” you want. Instead, it is guiding you to what will fulfill you the most, which is usually an experience of life that your inner spirit wishes to have—such as an experience of love, healing, or creative self-expression. And that experience can be manifested in a myriad of ways . . . not just the one you’ve thought of.
Do I dream of being a New York Times Best Selling Author? Of course I do. I think that would be wonderful. But I avoid becoming overly attached to that one specific dream. Why? Because I really don’t know—with absolute 100% certainty—that being a best selling author is the “soul-satisfying experience” that I assume it would be for me.
What I do Know (with a capital K) is this: When I share my spiritual journey and understanding with others, I experience a profound sense of joy and satisfaction. And writing a popular book is not the only way for me to share my truths and have that experience. I can also do it as a public speaker, as a class leader, as a private instructor, as a minister, or even as an Internet blogger. My job, I believe, is to stay in touch with my underlying desire to share my spiritual insights, and to allow the divine flow to orchestrate the best outcome for that desire—the one that would truly be best for me according to my own personal makeup.
Friends, as long as you feel enthusiastic about a particular dream of yours, by all means, hold on to that dream . . . but hold on mainly to its “essence”—to the experience of life that dream elicits. Whether your dream is a certain kind of career, or a particular kind of relationship, hold on to how that dream makes you feel. Hold on to the tremendous joy it brings you. Hold on to the deep sense of accomplishment it offers you. Hold on to the extraordinary feeling of love it gives you. But let go of the specifics.
By holding on to the “essence” or your dream, and letting go of the particulars, you allow the divine flow to guide you to something that will be truly fulfilling for you—something that will not only be in your best interests, but in the best interests of everyone . . . and something that may even be better than anything you have ever imagined.
Here’s to having dreams and pursuing dreams. But most of all, here’s to allowing those dreams to come true in whatever way is the most beneficial way for you.
Steven
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Saturday, March 5, 2011
When The Flow Appeases You
March 6, 2011
Dear Friends,
One of the key principles for living life in the divine flow is letting go of what you think you know . . . and that includes letting go of any specific destination—any goal, dream, or desire—that you believe is best for you.
Any destination that you have in mind is, at best, just an approximation of what your heart desires—of what your inner spirit really wants to experience. And the fulfillment of that underlying desire is what the flow is continually trying to guide you to. If you remain rigidly attached to a goal that is different from what your heart wants, your journey is likely to be a difficult one, because the Universe is simply not supporting you in reaching that particular destination.
That doesn’t mean that it is completely impossible for you to reach a destination that is not divinely supported. You certainly can. If you row against the flow long enough—literally forcing your way forward—it is quite possible for you to wind up exactly where you want to be. But it is also quite possible that you will regret where you end up, because the destination you reach will turn out to be unfulfilling, or fraught with trouble.
Here’s an interesting question, though: What does it mean when you do seem to be rowing with the flow—when doors miraculously open for you, and opportunities miraculously appear—and yet the destination you reach still turns out to be extraordinarily challenging?
A few months ago I received that very question from Robin, one of my readers in Australia. Robin had fulfilled a dream of 25 years to own and operate a combination café/bookstore located in a small country town 360 miles from her longtime home in Sydney. Accomplishing her goal had been virtually effortless. Doors had divinely opened for Robin. And opportunities had appeared serendipitously. And yet, within one month, Robin knew that this was not what she wanted to be doing for the rest of her life. The work was repetitive and backbreaking. The locals preferred to give their business to other locals instead of an “out-of-towner.” And Robin greatly missed her daughter, her friends, and the culture of the city. Robin is now in the process of selling her business and moving back to Sydney.
So, paraphrasing Robin, I ask the question again: What does it mean when the Universe seems to be completely supporting your journey, and yet the destination you reach isn’t satisfying, or it creates a whole new set of problems for you?
One answer to this puzzling scenario is that you are, in fact, exactly where you need to be, because the challenges you are facing are something that—deep down inside—you do want to experience, so you can grow spiritually or mature emotionally.
The answer I want to focus on this week, however, is a slightly different one. It is the simple fact that sometimes the flow will help you get where you want to go, so you will finally let go of your fixation on that particular goal, and once again become willing to consider a different destination . . . a destination that is truly best for you.
You might think you know yourself pretty well, but there is always the possibility that you aren’t perfectly suited for the goal that you are pursuing. There is always the possibility that there is a destination out there that might be a much better match for your talents, abilities, and preferences—a destination that, in the end, would be much more rewarding for you.
Like I said at the beginning of this message, to row with the flow you have to be willing to let go of what you think is best for you. If you remain overly obsessed by one particular goal, the divine flow might eventually appease you. That is, the divine flow will help you get where you want to go, so you will find out—through firsthand experience—that you don’t really want what you think you do.
Sometimes, the best way to find out what truly makes you happy is to find out what doesn’t make you happy. And sometimes, that is exactly what the flow is doing. It is helping you become clearer about yourself—about what you truly do like, what you truly don’t like, and what you genuinely need out of life. And what a blessing that increased clarity can be.
Friends, as you row your boat down the stream toward the fulfillment of your dreams, please remember this. Whether you are experiencing turbulent waters and unexpected obstacles, or you are enjoying a journey of ease and grace, your job always remains the same: To spend a little time each day in prayer, meditation, and/or contemplation, seeking only your next right step, and then being willing to take that step . . . even if it becomes apparent that you are being divinely guided to a destination that is different from the one you originally thought was best for you.
Steven
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
Dear Friends,
One of the key principles for living life in the divine flow is letting go of what you think you know . . . and that includes letting go of any specific destination—any goal, dream, or desire—that you believe is best for you.
Any destination that you have in mind is, at best, just an approximation of what your heart desires—of what your inner spirit really wants to experience. And the fulfillment of that underlying desire is what the flow is continually trying to guide you to. If you remain rigidly attached to a goal that is different from what your heart wants, your journey is likely to be a difficult one, because the Universe is simply not supporting you in reaching that particular destination.
That doesn’t mean that it is completely impossible for you to reach a destination that is not divinely supported. You certainly can. If you row against the flow long enough—literally forcing your way forward—it is quite possible for you to wind up exactly where you want to be. But it is also quite possible that you will regret where you end up, because the destination you reach will turn out to be unfulfilling, or fraught with trouble.
Here’s an interesting question, though: What does it mean when you do seem to be rowing with the flow—when doors miraculously open for you, and opportunities miraculously appear—and yet the destination you reach still turns out to be extraordinarily challenging?
A few months ago I received that very question from Robin, one of my readers in Australia. Robin had fulfilled a dream of 25 years to own and operate a combination café/bookstore located in a small country town 360 miles from her longtime home in Sydney. Accomplishing her goal had been virtually effortless. Doors had divinely opened for Robin. And opportunities had appeared serendipitously. And yet, within one month, Robin knew that this was not what she wanted to be doing for the rest of her life. The work was repetitive and backbreaking. The locals preferred to give their business to other locals instead of an “out-of-towner.” And Robin greatly missed her daughter, her friends, and the culture of the city. Robin is now in the process of selling her business and moving back to Sydney.
So, paraphrasing Robin, I ask the question again: What does it mean when the Universe seems to be completely supporting your journey, and yet the destination you reach isn’t satisfying, or it creates a whole new set of problems for you?
One answer to this puzzling scenario is that you are, in fact, exactly where you need to be, because the challenges you are facing are something that—deep down inside—you do want to experience, so you can grow spiritually or mature emotionally.
The answer I want to focus on this week, however, is a slightly different one. It is the simple fact that sometimes the flow will help you get where you want to go, so you will finally let go of your fixation on that particular goal, and once again become willing to consider a different destination . . . a destination that is truly best for you.
You might think you know yourself pretty well, but there is always the possibility that you aren’t perfectly suited for the goal that you are pursuing. There is always the possibility that there is a destination out there that might be a much better match for your talents, abilities, and preferences—a destination that, in the end, would be much more rewarding for you.
Like I said at the beginning of this message, to row with the flow you have to be willing to let go of what you think is best for you. If you remain overly obsessed by one particular goal, the divine flow might eventually appease you. That is, the divine flow will help you get where you want to go, so you will find out—through firsthand experience—that you don’t really want what you think you do.
Sometimes, the best way to find out what truly makes you happy is to find out what doesn’t make you happy. And sometimes, that is exactly what the flow is doing. It is helping you become clearer about yourself—about what you truly do like, what you truly don’t like, and what you genuinely need out of life. And what a blessing that increased clarity can be.
Friends, as you row your boat down the stream toward the fulfillment of your dreams, please remember this. Whether you are experiencing turbulent waters and unexpected obstacles, or you are enjoying a journey of ease and grace, your job always remains the same: To spend a little time each day in prayer, meditation, and/or contemplation, seeking only your next right step, and then being willing to take that step . . . even if it becomes apparent that you are being divinely guided to a destination that is different from the one you originally thought was best for you.
Steven
Share
© 2011 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com
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