The Wisdom of the River: Lessons Learned

Over the past few years I have watched the popularity of whitewater rafting grip the vacation market. "Strange", I thought. "Why would floating down a river become such a hotly contested vacation destination?" Today, I understand this phenomena completely. There is a wisdom and lesson that only the river can teach. It is a lesson that I intend to learn as often as possible.

Whitewater rafting has become one of America's favorite recreational activities for many reasons. There are several theories on this but I think the majority of them miss the mark. The fans argue that what makes the whitewater experience so compelling, so satisfying, and so incredibly exhilarating is that it is REAL! This primal adventure is beyond comparison. "This ain't your daddy's video game adventure!"

Although I consider this to be partially true. I believe that the reason that whitewater rafting has become so popular is because it teaches everyone who travels the river the most important spiritual lesson we could ever learn. All students understand the lesson while they are on the river but often forget it when they return to civilization.

On the river, all you have is the "now." That is the ultimate high and profound lesson that the river teaches. The past and the future are of no value when you are amidst the challenge of navigating the whitewater rapids. What happened upstream or what might happen downstream are of no consequence while you become completely absorbed in the joy of the present.

NOW. It is all that there is. The river drives this message home with tremendous clarity and excitement.

Stop and think of how different life would be for you if you could apply this simple wisdom to your life. I often sit incredulously when I realize how I have let past upsets disrupt my peace of mind. That can't happen on the river!

On the river the distinctions of past, present and future become amazingly clear. Very simply you recognize that the wake that is left behind does not navigate the raft. Likewise the future is uninteresting when compared to the exhiliaration of being totally 100% in the here and "now."

The metaphor is quite profound.

Over the years I have watched tourists navigate the rapids and it never ceases to amaze me! When you watch a group of vacationers all get "the NOW" message together, the exhiliaration is beyond comparison as they leave the past behind and partake in the challenge of the moment. The excitement and enthusiasm is contagious and a wonder to behold.

Likewise, I often wonder how these vacationers return to their lives and if they remember the message they learned on the river?

NOW.

Every time I feel the need to make excuses I remember the lessons that I have learned on the river.

NOW.

Guess where I am headed for my next vacation?

All aboard!

NOW.

Be careful what you agree with.

Harald Anderson is the co-founder of artinspires.com a leading online gallery of Motivational Posters."When Art Inspires, Dreams Become Realities. His goal in life is to become the kind of person that his dog already thinks he is. http://www.artinspires.com

---

Two Types Of Spirituality ... Faith And Knowledge

The term spirituality is a confusing term. Usually, when one... Read More

Americans Need a Savior Not Another Guru

Mrs. Dixon the famous prognosticator and psychic to the stars... Read More

The Hand of God

There I was living in a tiny bedroom in my... Read More

Questioning - Is It A Natural Process?

One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More

Creating A Tithe Account

Almost every spiritual and religious teaching exhorts its followers to... Read More

Developing the Have-ing-ness Consciousness! Divine Prosperity Principles

How a Divine "Dream", gave me a Spiritual Principle for... Read More

Create Miracles in Your Life

Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More

Kundalini Symbology

While study and pursuit of the Kundalini is considered part... Read More

Forgiveness- The Path To Healing & Spiritual Growth

The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More

God!

God !"My son will be brought up in a place... Read More

What Does Jesus Expect?

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS... Read More

Is It Safe To Walk Into Your Doctors Office?

In a recent case study which I also summarized in... Read More

Real Spirituality

My fiancee' and I frequent a restaurant in L.A. called... Read More

Choosing Peace, One Shift at a Time

It doesn't matter what magazine or newspaper you pick up... Read More

Let Go Of My EgGO--Pride Cometh Before A Fall!

Years ago a commercial ran for eggo waffles. It showed... Read More

Bringing Heaven to Earth: Applying Spiritual Principles Consistently Over Time

I am often asked to explain what I mean by... Read More

Willing to Walk with Jesus?

Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More

What Does God Want From Me? A Personal Revelation of Conviction Verses Condemnation

It's strange how my life today looks wildly different from... Read More

Discover Who You Are And Why You Are Here

You are a Creative Worker:God carries on creative work through... Read More

Animal Totems

What the Animals Tell Us"I am the Sun's son. I... Read More

Tarot Spreads: The Planetary Spread, for Insights into a Personality

The Planetary Spread is an excellent layout to use when... Read More

Finding Bobbie Fisher ---The Light House: Where Would Your Ship Be?

There is an old tradition song called, The Lighthouse and... Read More

Amazing Faith

Last week, I sat at my computer and watched the... Read More

Heaven Bound: Win The Race!

Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than... Read More

The Mystery of Purpose

Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?"... Read More

6 Little Prayers That Bring Healing - Every Time You Pray

Ok, let's start with the amazing story of Robbie and... Read More

Christian Forums: The Heroic Battle Between the Forces of Good and the Demon of Anti-Access

Saturday I was hangin' ten on my Dell when I... Read More

Zen and Peace (The Road To Lasting Harmony)

Presently, many of us live in uncertainty. Due to the... Read More

The Power of Simplicity in Holistic Living

What does it take to live life holistically?It definitely does... Read More

Life Gets Teejus, Don?t It?

Those five words are from a song that I remember... Read More

A People in Exile (Part 1)

Second Isaiah, so called because his book of prophecy was... Read More

Natural Talent

Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More

Serenity

Listen to the sound of silence. Enjoy the peace and... Read More