Hi Linnea. This is such an important message. In a world where instant gratification is often saught out, there are no quick fixes when we're talking about healing. As some rivers are long and winding, and others shorter and straight, everyone's healing path, like the rivers, are unique. The bed of the river is our subconscious mind. It holds all the water! ✨️💚✨️
Linnea, this feels like sitting beside water and finally remembering how to breathe.
“Don’t push the river” echoes in my chest the way “you can’t pull the grass to make it grow faster” does—it’s the same kind of grounded truth that asks us to shift from striving into trusting.
I’ve spent years learning (and forgetting, and relearning) that healing, growth, and even clarity can’t be forced into arrival. Your words offer a welcome pause in a world that keeps asking us to hurry. Thank you for this reminder to let life move at its own honest pace.
There is something about movement that allows us to breathe more fully. Whether that is sitting beside a rushing river or taking a walk in nature. It also reminds us that nothing truly can be forced. We can't push the river, we can't pull grass to make it grow faster and we can't force the butterfly to emerge from the chrysalis before it is fully formed. Healing follows the same pattern. Thank you Jay.
Slow down and drift ! In a fast world what wonderful advice ,,very wise , very beautiful This world seems so fast and tough , But no ,, nothing is spoiling and nobody is pinning a medal on my chest for keeping up with it , thankyou
Linnea, your poetic reflections on "Don't Push the River" resonate deeply. Embracing the natural flow of life and healing brings such ease and peace. Thank you for this refreshing reminder to slow down and let things 'flow' naturally. You reminded me of a dream I had a couple of weeks ago where I first became an eagle, then a tree, and finally a river. Let life's current carry us where we need to be, I'm thinking. Thank you.
Wind, wood and water. Oh, I love the alliteration! Thanks Linnea. I hope to share it on Substack soon. Once I’ve finished writing my next post, that is.
Linnea, I loved being reminded of this wisdom. I read a book with this title by a Gestalt Therapist years ago when I was getting my masters in transpersonal psychology and the title, let alone the book, rocked my world too. As a high achieving, type A woman, I’m very confident in my “masculine,” and this whole premise of don’t push the river and actually surrender to it has been life-changing. It’s still one of my growing edges. 🌊 apparently I needed this reminder tonight, so thank you. 🙏
Thank you Megan. Where did you go to school? There aren’t a lot of transpersonal programs out there. Was it ITP by chance? If so, we have something else in common. I too struggle with my masculine energy so I really understand what you mean. 💜
You went to ITP? That’s so awesome! I almost went there, but then chose to go to Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Know of it? Finding transpersonal psychology was such a gift! I love knowing we have this in common. Living in Bali has been teaching me so much about surrendering…. So grateful! (that in relationship to my inner masculine and feminine!) Now I’m so curious, you needed to write a dissertation for your PhD, yes? What did you write about?
Thank you, Max, and what a lovely extension of the metaphor. I completely agree and thank you for adding the idea of the river leading back to wholeness of the ocean. 💜
It’s an interesting question. I actually would say that a therapist, a good one anyway, is not a river-pusher at all, but more of a river guide, helping those in the raft navigate obstacles along the way.
No, not at all. There are many different formats and modalities of therapy. Some are river-pushers but in my opinion those are people who are placing short term band-aids rather than working toward true transformation.
What has your experience been with therapy and therapists?
Hi Linnea. This is such an important message. In a world where instant gratification is often saught out, there are no quick fixes when we're talking about healing. As some rivers are long and winding, and others shorter and straight, everyone's healing path, like the rivers, are unique. The bed of the river is our subconscious mind. It holds all the water! ✨️💚✨️
“The bed of the river is our subconscious mind. It holds all the water!” YESSS! I love this reflection, beautiful and true. 💜
Linnea, this feels like sitting beside water and finally remembering how to breathe.
“Don’t push the river” echoes in my chest the way “you can’t pull the grass to make it grow faster” does—it’s the same kind of grounded truth that asks us to shift from striving into trusting.
I’ve spent years learning (and forgetting, and relearning) that healing, growth, and even clarity can’t be forced into arrival. Your words offer a welcome pause in a world that keeps asking us to hurry. Thank you for this reminder to let life move at its own honest pace.
There is something about movement that allows us to breathe more fully. Whether that is sitting beside a rushing river or taking a walk in nature. It also reminds us that nothing truly can be forced. We can't push the river, we can't pull grass to make it grow faster and we can't force the butterfly to emerge from the chrysalis before it is fully formed. Healing follows the same pattern. Thank you Jay.
Slow down and drift ! In a fast world what wonderful advice ,,very wise , very beautiful This world seems so fast and tough , But no ,, nothing is spoiling and nobody is pinning a medal on my chest for keeping up with it , thankyou
Yes! That’s exactly right. 🙏 I’m so glad you enjoyed the essay.
Linnea, your poetic reflections on "Don't Push the River" resonate deeply. Embracing the natural flow of life and healing brings such ease and peace. Thank you for this refreshing reminder to slow down and let things 'flow' naturally. You reminded me of a dream I had a couple of weeks ago where I first became an eagle, then a tree, and finally a river. Let life's current carry us where we need to be, I'm thinking. Thank you.
What a beautiful dream Deborah! Experiencing the flow of wind, wood and water, that most have been a powerful dream experience. 💜
Wind, wood and water. Oh, I love the alliteration! Thanks Linnea. I hope to share it on Substack soon. Once I’ve finished writing my next post, that is.
I’ve always had a thing for alliteration - it makes me smile. Looking forward to your next post!
Linnea, I loved being reminded of this wisdom. I read a book with this title by a Gestalt Therapist years ago when I was getting my masters in transpersonal psychology and the title, let alone the book, rocked my world too. As a high achieving, type A woman, I’m very confident in my “masculine,” and this whole premise of don’t push the river and actually surrender to it has been life-changing. It’s still one of my growing edges. 🌊 apparently I needed this reminder tonight, so thank you. 🙏
Thank you Megan. Where did you go to school? There aren’t a lot of transpersonal programs out there. Was it ITP by chance? If so, we have something else in common. I too struggle with my masculine energy so I really understand what you mean. 💜
You went to ITP? That’s so awesome! I almost went there, but then chose to go to Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Know of it? Finding transpersonal psychology was such a gift! I love knowing we have this in common. Living in Bali has been teaching me so much about surrendering…. So grateful! (that in relationship to my inner masculine and feminine!) Now I’m so curious, you needed to write a dissertation for your PhD, yes? What did you write about?
Fantastic! I love what I know of Naropa. Yes, translational psychology is a gift. 💜
Wow, you live in Bali now! I visited in 2010 and fell in love with it.
I was in the masters program and didn’t get my doctorate, though I have thought many times that I wish I had. What was your dissertation?
Linnea —
Water is always such a beautiful metaphor for so many things in like, especially in this case of healing from trauma.
There are lots of twists and turns, but each river always ends right back at the Wholeness of the ocean~
Thanks for writing a great peace, and It’s great to connect with other mental health professionals~
Cheers,
Max
Thank you, Max, and what a lovely extension of the metaphor. I completely agree and thank you for adding the idea of the river leading back to wholeness of the ocean. 💜
It’s an interesting question. I actually would say that a therapist, a good one anyway, is not a river-pusher at all, but more of a river guide, helping those in the raft navigate obstacles along the way.
No, not at all. There are many different formats and modalities of therapy. Some are river-pushers but in my opinion those are people who are placing short term band-aids rather than working toward true transformation.
What has your experience been with therapy and therapists?