Here’s is the guided meditation:
Exercise: Visualize a flowing river.
A river can be calm and serene in one instant, but if you follow its path, the water will eventually encounter rocks.
Consider this for our lives: We can be happy and peaceful in one instant, but will eventually encounter some obstacles/ challenges along the path. Whether we gently bump into the rocks or clash against them, depends on how we choose to react to the obstacles – We choose our experience, whether we are mindful of it or not. The choice is in what we identify with.
1. Identify yourself as the water in the river. Visualize how you float and make your way in life. No matter what is in your path, you move effortlessly around all rocks/obstacles, naturally taking the path of least resistance.
This is analogous to you choosing to identify with the ‘flow’ or with ‘source’ – with this comes acceptance of circumstances rather than avoidance or resistance… only then can the circumstance be truly dealt with, appropriately, yet in harmony.
2. Now consider that a twig is also part of the flowing river. This twig, by contrast, gets caught against the rock(s) along its journey and struggles for a while before it can wiggle its way out and carry on along the path.
The twigs are analogous to projections of our ego patterns, what we seek to control, the need to be right or correct another, have a ‘picture perfect’ life, etc. The more attachments we have in life, the more twigs we have floating in the stream, the greater the opportunity for resistance. Therefore it becomes more difficult to go with the flow (life = unhappy).
Ignoring the twigs won’t make it go away. Minimizing our attachments does not mean that one will not encounter any obstacles. It also does not mean that one must become submissive or as passive. The flow has the power to change the shape of the rocks along the way, eventually making them supple and smooth. Even a harsh edged stone can be transformed into something supple and smooth by the river. Such is its power, such is your greatest power, lying beneath the fears and attachments.
What to do when we encounter ‘rocks’ along our path?
When you face challenges, from major concerns (ill health of a loved one) to minor everyday irritations (traffic jam, computer glitches, etc):
1. Take a deep breath (connection to present moment).
2. Visualize yourself as the flow of the river. Remind yourself that you have the power and the ability to move past the rock in your path with effortless ease. Allow the ease to settle in, even if it makes you uncomfortable along the way. Be determined to go with the flow and don’t let the ‘twigs’ get caught.
3. If you can identify the ‘twig', make a decision to leave it on the riverbank 
You have the ability to transform the experience of your life.
