The Journey Is The Prize
Perhaps we’ve created a world where we do not stop, take time to do what our innate soul is longing for, for fear of not having enough time to do the very things we “think” we have to get done. Such a paradox of life. This measure - which is surely a habit I posses, and must think it’s prevelant amognst our whole societal structure, is the very thing (action/non-action) that keeps us out of the Flow State.
There are roadside scenic pull-offs on the highways all across this land, and the next. In my personal experience, I rarely see them full, my dad rarely stopped at them on the many roadtrips we took across the vast Western landscape of America’s great national parks. I rarely see these places that someone took the time to literally build a place for us to stop, rest, think, and take it all in…where are the spectators of life who are conscious enough to stop and smell the roses? This is a metaphor for the “road of life” and we must bring awareness to ourselves that we have been programmed by a society otherwise. Which on a basic level is separated by Fear or Love.
In the similar way a parent justifies telling their child a lie, albeit a wholesome, wholehearted intention to protect and love, in turn they are acting based on fear. One must ask themselves if they are an infant, toddler, teenager, or full grown adult in their relationship with governmental actions that may not be in the best interest of them. Take marijuana for example. Since the creation of Dupont and petrochemicals that could replace hemp textiles and make powerful people wealthy, there has been corruption at the highest levels of government to steer the public consciousness away from the light and into a dark place of fear. No more. Ever since pharmaceutical companies have not been able to patent marijuana for its many medicinal benefits, the war has been on the demonize this beautiful plant from our Mother Earth. One must ask themselves, am I an infant in my relationship with the truth? Or am I seeking wisdom daily, endlessly, in pursuit of what is good? Am I truthful to myself and those with different points of view? Can I look on your side of the fence without judgement? At the end of the day, I believe we all want the truth to be good - to be good for us, humanity, and to lead toward peace and love. Those who do not have a basic wholehearted authentic place of love in their heart upon which all their actions are based, are living in fear. Sometimes it is easier to live in fear.
By answering this question, we can be truthful with ourselves, and begin to heal - open up awareness to the very core of ourselves - recognizing the involuntary conditioning we’ve been subjected to our whole lives, some more than others. There is no one we have to explain these answers to, other than ourselves.
Upon realization, it’s critical to have humility and compassion, stay in love, be alert and cautious to “hero-complex” - being better than others. The key is in sharing knowledge from love centered self - to tap into STER (selflessness, timelessness, effortlessness and experience the richness this offers) = being in the Flow State. Exactly the State doesn’t want you in.
By stopping at the roadside pullout, one can achieve flow - for 30 seconds, 30 minutes, or 3 hours.
The thing you are doing (or not doing) in the moment is the most important. Upon entering the Flow State, the very concept of “time” that one was so worried about, is interrupted and seemingly floats away, drifting off like it was never a concern in the first place. And then on’s brilliance illuminates the room, our sense of awe is as big as a child’s energy - and creativity IS the state of mind. As Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal point out in “Stealing Fire,” “creativity is in motion and it is selfless, timeless, effortless and rich with love.”
While this state is not a “skill,” I would argue that getting there is a skill. Whether it’s through music, meditation, extreme sports, martial arts, yoga, marijuana or psychedelics, as Dr. Joe Dispenza reflects, new habits form new neural connections, rewiring and re-firing the patterns and thought systems you manifest - by letting go of the past, and creating a vision o the future that serves you in the way that makes you the best version of you - not the version you were 15 years or 15 minutes ago - you’ve already changed.
So, it really is a matter of identifying what it is that one needs to enter the Flow State, and then the rewiring of new habits to stay there. The support system to stay centered, connected and in that Flow State. Then, it’s about carrying that energy forward around you in a meaningful way that impacts your world, and perhaps the world as a whole. Discovering who your tribe is along the way - and NEWSFLASH - it may not be your immediate family and could very well be a stranger you meet today.