On letting go & the flow . . . an aspirin for grief relief
I have just read an interesting section written by Shakti Gawain in her book Creative Visualization about ‘going with the flow’.
I love her particular way of saying how to let go and create joy again, it’s one of the most powerful and effective ways of dealing with grief of loss and need to move onward that I’ve tried. It sure helps, at least for me, with releasing my grip on dreams and obsessions regarding love relationships.
I’m personally going through a very difficult emotional time because my marriage is broken up and I miss the man I loved for over three years. It’s so very hard to let him go, yet I realize that ultimately this is what I must do. I pray for release of my pain for loving somebody who is not there in physical, and go through waves of strength and weakness about the whole situation.
Today I was dealing and going the torture of thinking and dwelling when I opened her book and read this chapter about going with the flow. It captured my eye because yesterday I called a psychic on Keen needing to hear a healing pep talk to lift my heavy heart. He told a few things that have helped much! One is that I’m in a current of life which is pulling me along. I have grabbed a hold of a branch and am clinging for dear life.
I need to let go.
Here is what Shakti Gawain says in her chapter:
The only effective way to use creative visualization is in the spirit of the way of the Tao._ “going with the flow” That means that you don’t have to “effort” to get where you want to go; you simply put it out clearly to the universe where you would like to go, and then patiently and harmoniously follow the flow of the river of life until it takes you there. The river of life sometimes takes a winding course toward your goal. It may even seem temporarily to be going in a different direction entirely, yet in the long run it is more effortless and harmonious way to get there than through struggling and striving.
Going with the flow means holding onto your goals lightly (even though they may seem very important) and being willing to change them if something more appropriate and satisfying comes along. It is that balance between keeping your destination clearly in mind, and yet also enjoying all the beautiful scenes you encounter along the way, and even being willing to change your destination if life starts taking you in a different direction. In short, it means being firm, yet flexible.
If you have a lot of heavy emotions riding on whether you attain your goal (that is, if you will be upset if you don’t get it you will tend to work against yourself. In your fear of not getting what you want, you may actually be energizing the idea of not getting it as much or more than you are energizing the goal itself.
If you do find yourself very emotionally attached to a goal, it may be most effective and appropriate to work first on your feelings about the matter. You may have to take a look at what you fear about not achieving the goal, and do affirmations to help you feel more confident and secure, or to help you face your fears.
For example:
This universe is unfolding perfectly
I don’t have to hang on
I can relax and let go
I can go with the flow
I always have everything I need to enjoy my here and now
I have all the love I need within my own heart
I am a lovable and loving person
I am whole in myself
Divine love is guiding me and I am always taken care of
The universe always provides
You may find some of the clearing processes given later helpful. And once again I refer you to my recommended reading list for books that may offer help and insight.
Of course it’s perfectly okay to creatively visualize something to which you have a lot of attachment-and it will often work quite well. But if it doesn’t, realize that your own inner conflict is sending out conflicting messages. In this case, it’s important to relax and accept your feelings, accept the idea that you may not immediately realize your goal, and understand that resolving the conflict is probably an important area of growth for you and a wonderful opportunity to look more closely at your own attitudes about life.
If you get a feeling at any time while doing creative visualization that you are trying to force or push something that doesn’t want to happen, back off a little and ask your higher self whether this is the best thing for you or whether you truly desire it. The universe may be trying to show you something better that you haven’t even considered.
Pages 42-44
Creative Visualization