DEEPENING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF PEACE: our Life as a River

(inspired by Living Compass Living Well through Advent)

I would LOVE to live

Like a river flows,

Carried by the surprise
Of its own unfolding. ~ John O'Donohue

I use the analogy of a river for my life, often.  As a kayaker and someone who's astrological sign is water, it seems appropriate. The essential aspects of nature helps me to understand our natural essence.  There are many attributes of a river that are applicable in our daily lives.

For like the river flows, so too does our life.  It can meander. It can rage over rocks.  There is the confluence of one life joining another.  And, of course, the back eddy. There is the popular church song, Peace is Flowing like a River, and yet many of us know that a river can be turbulent, rapid, and overflowing creating danger, as well... much like the journey to true, authentic peace. 

I honor the imagery of water.  Water has a long association with emotions.  It ebbs and flows with the tides. It can be angry and it can be glass-like.  Water has movement and it flows into the void ~ the empty space, fills.  Water carries energy. It swells, it rises, it falls and it ripples as others leave their impression on its surface. Yet, deep below there is a stillness that is undisturbed by what happens up top.  Water also has strength; as years of contact will wear away the rock which, at first, appears to be stronger.

Full living means not resisting life's flow.  As a good guide on the river, one learns to read the signs of the river; knowing full well the signs that make it safe; when to paddle and when to rest in a back eddy ~ calm spots where the downward movement of water is partially or fully arrested [wikipedia.com]. 

I think about all the experiences in life that wash through us - people, circumstances, places - and how they touch us and leave a mark…but don't remain.  In the moment we are more like the river traveling it's course.  However, afterwards, we are more like the rock in how we are shaped by what has happened; smoothed over, hollowed out, open to receive again.  Peace is like this. It's knowing how to travel it when it's turbulent and when it's quiet and allowing that movement to transform us.

One of my favorite quotes by Kahlil Gibran hints at how the water informs our deeper life if we allow it to run it's course.  

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the same well from which your laughter rises was often times filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.