Go with the Flow

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Jerry Traub

A truck was firmly wedged under a bridge. The delivery driver had ignored the clearance posting and became stuck in the process. A structural expert was consulting with the scene commander, trying to come up with a simple solution to the problem. One option being considered was unbolting the structure holding the truck captive, a steel support beam running the width of the bridge. Another was removing the cargo area of the truck.

A small boy happened to be in the audience of bystanders and wandered over to a nearby policeman to find out what was going on. After hearing the explanation, the young boy paused briefly, looked up at the officer, and asked why they didn’t simply let the air out of the truck tires? The policeman looked at the boy, shook his head and walked over to the “experts” to relay the boy’s suggestion. Ten minutes later, the truck was on its way.

This classic story is often used to demonstrate creative thinking. For me it represents our natural mindset, unfettered by conditioning and biases. The little boy viewed the situation through unaffected eyes. He didn’t have a degree in structural engineering. Because of his young age, he hadn’t been conditioned by society to leave the thinking to the experts. He still trusted in his insights and intuition. The answer came to him as a gestalt – a sudden flash of insight, in a whole piece. This is an ability we all have, but often falls into disuse over time. It may become inactive from lack of use but will never leave you.  It simply lies dormant, waiting to be summoned back into action.

Scientists tell us that for many people, up to 80% or even 90% of thinking is repetitive and robotic – the same kinds of thoughts over and over. It’s not really conscious thought at all, but a kind of recording that insulates us from reality. Training ourselves to become aware of our thinking at various times during the day is a good way to extricate ourselves from this robotic thinking. It can return us to a centered, conscious state.

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The following exercise yields potential power and benefit all out of proportion to the few moments it takes. It can be practiced at any moment during the day, and is especially useful when you find yourself pulled off center, in the grip of a negative emotion, or before entering a perceived stressful situation.

Take a couple of deep breaths. Straighten your spine, head level. Now, just notice your thoughts. Notice what is going on in your body. Notice any sensations you are experiencing. Tune in to the natural rhythms of the body. Be aware of your breathing in the background, but don’t focus on it.

As you do this, try to suspend any judgement, attachment, or resistance to your thoughts or the situation. You are simply observing. This is done gently but firmly. You are returning to  a balanced, centered state.

This exercise takes only a minute or two and gets easier and more natural with practice. Overt time, you’ll catch yourself being pulled off center sooner. This will make it easier to  to return to your “Zero Point”.

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I remember watching a bowling show as a young boy. The bowler at the line was a top professional, but was having an off day. The commentator remarked that he seemed to be forcing his shots.  “Trust is a must or your game is a bust” was his conclusion. In other words, trust your inner genius. Trust that you have the answers inside of you.

Apparently the bowler was listening. He soon recovered his form and went on to win both the game and the tournament. I can’t remember who the bowler was, but for some reason, the commentator’s remark made an impression and has stayed with me through the years.

There’s a good chance that the bowler did something very similar to the exercise above to get himself back on track. In all liklihood, he took a couple of deep breaths and closed his eyes for a few moments. He knew he had the ability to perform; all he had to do was get out of the way and allow his inner genius to go to work. He entered flow, that wonderful state where time disappears and we find ourselves immersed in what we’re doing and naturally performing at our best.

Jerry Traub is a published author in the area Holistic health and authors a natural health blog site, Eating Light online. To visit Jerry’s blogsite, click this link http://eatinglightonline.com