THE RIVER OF LIFE

I have many times sat and watched the Ohio River rolling on and on. This river sits at the very end of our main downtown street here in Paducah Kentucky. One can drive through the floodwall gates when they are open and instantly be at this river which flows past and also into another river (Called the Tennessee River). Many times I have either driven down in my truck or walked down and sat on one of the bench's to just watch the river flow and relax. That is one way I have found that I can find peace and quiet in my life no matter what I am experiencing at the moment. In my meditation of the river I can compare it to my own life as a human being. Like the mighty river flows so also my life flows. At times very calm and serene and at times after a rain it flows in a torrent. But as this water flows it is always true to it's nature. It cannot be anything or do anything other than what it is! Whether it is flowing gently or rushing madly it remains a river! And whenever this water runs into some kind of blockage or dam it goes around the obstacle and keeps on flowing. For it's inherent nature is to keep moving at all times. Even when it seems so calm on the surface, it is still moving along to some degree. It has no choice but to face it's obstacles and either go around, over, or through it. Because if it ever stopped flowing it would then become no more than a lake, a pond, or even a puddle. So to remain true to it's inherent nature it has to keep flowing or it will wither and die. And when I think of this I see the essence of my life as a river so to speak. My conscious mind only knows me as a human being. The human finite mind can never truly comprehend something that is infinite. Something like my Higher Self, my Soul, my God Being or whatever else one may name that part of us which knows we are something greater than just a human ego driven entity. I know there are those of you who would disagree that we are something greater than we know. One may think that we are just a temporary form and that after we die that is it. And you know what? You could be right. But personally, I believe we are something greater and that we will continue expanding and growing as long as any part of us remains. Even if you don't agree, you may still see the similarities I see between our human life and that of a river. My life seems to feel a kindred oneness with the river. My life flows on and on. Sometimes it flows calmly, and at times it flows like a torrent. With "things" seem to be "good" in my life it is calm but still flowing gently. When I am experiencing any hardship or turmoil, that is when my life flows roughly. When I encounter a blockage or dam(negative feelings, thoughts of anger, feeling helpless, stressed out to the max, and etc) I either have to go through it, around it, over it, and if I don't do that I then become stagnant in my life experiences. The river knows only it is a river, it is not aware of each raindrop that gives it's existence to fill the river, no more than I can be aware of anything outside my human mind. I see my life as river ever flowing toward reuniting with something (An ocean or bigger river maybe) greater than it is. What is my final destination? I cannot really say because I feel my life is not headed for a final place but rather just merging into that which is Mightier than my human life. I will leave you with a thought from the book "The Tao of Relationships" written by Ray Grigg:The river flows of itself, Uninstructed...it finds its way to the sea. The downward way of wisdom takes all toward union in deep fullness. Flow easily downward, without hurry, taking the river's time. Know that the urge in blood and all its rushing is toward the great commingling pool. Remember downward and trust the river's way. My hope is that each of you find yourself at a point where all things human are flowing gently. Take heart if things seem to be going a little rough or even out of control. That only means you have come upon one of the river's obstacles in your life and with a bit of wisdom, a bit of love, a bit of hope and determination you will eventually move over, around, or through the obstacle and will once again find peace and love filling your consciousness. You are never alone! We all have our own "demons" but with some work on our minds we can and will find a way to slay the Dragon. Keep the faith my good folks and if you ever feel no one loves or understands you just remember that I do!