The Stream¶

The flow of experience is like a stream flowing down a hill. The stream goes wherever it does, directed by the shape of the ground and by rocks, sticks, plants, and whatever else. In the same way, thoughts and sensations flow as they do because of whatever conditions.

Relating streams of water to our streams of consciousness offers many potential insights.

Observing, swimming in, or being the stream¶

We can imagine viewing the stream as an outside observer or we can imagine it as a river that we are swimming in. We can also imagine the stream to be everything in conscious experience, including all thoughts and sensations — even any meta-cognition or sense of self. That view can bring us to a more non-dual perspective with no sense of being a separate observer.

The flow itself affects the stream¶

The stream cannot choose to flow any differently than it does — and yet the flow itself affects things. The stream erodes the streambed and pushes around objects. The path is constantly changing while, at the same time, the stream's pattern is self-reinforcing.

As a variation to consider, we can compare with a similar metaphor of a forest path. When we walk in the forest, our very act of walking creates a trail by stepping on plants, knocking branches out of the way, and compacting the ground. Once a trail is formed, it becomes the easiest path to take whether or not it leads us where we want to go. By being slow and diligent in our initial steps, we can establish our paths with more intention.

Like it or not, the very flow of our thoughts and sensations creates habits which are self-reinforcing. Changing habits requires careful work reinforcing the new direction and blocking the prior one.

Adjusting and guiding the stream¶

As we observe a water stream, we can watch for patterns while also seeing how it continually fluctuates and changes. We can also intervene and guide how and where the stream flows by digging in the ground, filling in the streambed, adding or removing obstacles, and so on. We can learn skills and use tools to engineer the flow we want. When a rock impedes the flow, removing it may be easier than redirecting the whole stream around it.

The stream metaphor can help us appreciate the process of attune-resolve-review. We need to first attune to the flow of thoughts and sensations before we consider what adjustments would be healthy and appropriate. Even then, we can only really see the ramifications of shifting the flow after we make changes and observe the results. We need to review to really understand the effects of our actions.

Easier to adjust calmer streams¶

We have limited capacity to actively manage a stream while it's flowing. The larger the stream or the stronger it is flowing, the more difficult the process of redirecting it. We can have greater influence through carefully preparing a dry streambed or by making adjustments while a stream is flowing only lightly.

Similarly, we will have the most difficulty adjusting our thoughts and emotions when they are strongest. We can more easily adjust our attention and build new habits when starting from a state of relaxation.

The limits of control¶

Of course, we can never fully control the stream. We can't make it flow up the hill. And we cannot control the weather.

If we try to control a stream too much, such as make it flow in straight lines through pipes, we will ruin its natural beauty and ecosystem. People have found that damming rivers, while providing many benefits, creates all sorts of unintended consequences including environmental problems and long-term maintenance burdens and risks.

When we suppress feelings or withhold thoughts, we face a risk of the dam bursting and releasing a huge chaotic and destructive flow all at once. To manage the release, we can prepare the streambed carefully and then slowly release the pressure. Skillful releasing of mental energy can include meditating, grieving, setting boundaries, listening to our fears, making art and music, and more. We need not push the limits of the metaphor by finding analogies for each of these in terms of water and dams (and if we do explore this, we can do it consciously, knowing that we are playing with metaphor).

Turbulance¶

When strong emotions show up, that is itself something the stream is doing. Water behaves as it does. When it flows a certain way around a rock, it can make eddies that swirl backwards up the stream, like our flow of thoughts getting in loops. We might feel angry if we want the rock to stop impeding the stream. We can express anger by yelling at the rock, but it will not make the rock move. We cannot stop the flow in the moment. If we fight the stream, the results can be chaotic. Better to accept being with the flow and being the flow; roll with the rapids; surf the waves. We can still take action as soon as we see appropriate ways to minimize damage, to avoid hurting anyone or anything. We can otherwise note the thoughts and feelings for later review. When the flow has settled enough, we can then decide whether and how to move rocks or make other changes to prepare for the next waves.

The stream beyond consciousness¶

The stream does what it does whether or not we are conscious of it. Consider classical-conditioning where we build association between otherwise unrelated stimuli, as in Pavlov's dogs salivating at the sound of a bell. The influences that originally go together are like the stream flowing a particular way. Then, with the streambed established, the flow continues that way in the future even without all the events that initially made the path. Placebo can work this way; sometimes a placebo does nothing at first; but after a real medical intervention establishes a new connection, we then see measurable placebo effects in the future.

Adaptability and establishing new paths¶

Young children have less-established habits and patterns, like a hill where water has not flowed much yet. Still, all people have natural features, like the shape and structure of a hill. Some rocks are so hard, they resist erosion for eons. Sandy mounds will erode with the slightest wind. As life goes on, some patterns get more firmly established than others. We may assume some patterns to be permanent only to see them drastically altered by a huge storm or severe drought.

In extreme cases like an earthquake or massive flooding or landslides, a streambed may be entirely wiped away in a muddy mess. Then, we have the opportunity to set up fresh new patterns. Such events are exceptionally rare in human lives, but they can happen. Psychedelics can have such an effect, loosening neural connections and bringing back child-like plasticity. From this new starting point, we must take great care because whatever happens next can establish patterns that remain in place for the rest of our lives.