Image by Alain GENERAL
In This Article:
- Is your life flowing like a river, or are you trying to push against the current?
- How positive energy influences the direction of your life's journey.
- What lessons can be learned from the rapids and calm waters of life?
- Can shifting your perspective change how you experience the world?
- What role does a benevolent Intelligence play in guiding our lives?
Pierre's final blog shares thoughts from his book Et ainsi coule la riviere (and thus flows the river) published In French in 2022. (Pierre Pradervand passed away on July 26, 2024.)
Flowing Through Life: Our Life is Like a River
by Pierre Pradervand.
"It's the positive energy we put into the events of our lives that ensures that, like the meandering river, we always go in the direction we want to go, if we have the conviction to do so. Meandering is part of life! ...Your life is also a river that flows "like this", and the rapids and tumultuous waterfalls are lessons in life and in taking a step back. It's up to you to become aware of this magnificent flow!" ~ From the "Et ainsi coule la riviere" Preface by Jacques Maire, Founder of Editions Jouvence
We in the West have pushed the river. Frantically. For two centuries. With what result? It seems to me closer to disaster than success.
So wouldn't it be more honest to recognize that we're all projecting onto "reality" what's in our hearts. If our hearts are old, tired and cynical, that's how we'll see the world. But if we silence ourselves, if we listen and let the murmur of our goodness and natural love express itself freely, could it be that we see another world?
Personally, I can only feel gratitude for this life that has offered me so much, over 55 years of professional activities in the four corners of the planet, but especially Europe and Africa, during which I've always had in mind this vision of a win-win world that works for everyone. If this objective doesn't become that of our governments and of those who believe they're directing the destinies of this planet, our future is likely to be extremely difficult... and hot!
There are only two ways to grow: through wisdom or through suffering. Our race seems to have too often taken the second alternative, and the pandemic that arrived in 2020 seems to be telling us that we'd be wise to consider a less risky path. But in the end, I'm convinced that a benevolent Intelligence beyond anything we can even imagine is pulling the real strings, and that Putin, Trump and Xi Jinping are themselves merely the (unconscious) instruments of this Intelligence which, sooner or later, will lead us to our destination.
Here are a few excerpts from the book: 365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World
A Blessing Psalm
Stephen Mitchell, author of The Gospel According to Jesus, has given us some beautiful translations of the psalms. Here is his version of Psalm 1 which reads as a blessing. You may easily change it into a more personal blessing by adding “May I...”
Blessed are the man and the woman
who have grown beyond their greed
and have put an end to their hatred
and no longer nourish illusions.
But they delight in the way things are
and keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.
A Blessing by Peace Pilgrim
Mildred Lisette Norman (aka Peace Pilgrim) was a well-known pacifist, non-denominational spiritual teacher and activist of the last century, who crisscrossed the US many times on foot promoting her message of love and peace. Here is a blessing of hers.
Blessed are they who give without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.
Blessed are they who translate every good thing that they know into action,
for even higher truths shall be revealed unto them.
Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and receive a loving response.
Blessed are they who have seen reality,
for they know that not the garment of clay b
ut that which activated the garment of clay
is real and indestructible.
Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives and thereby
receiving a blessing have the courage and faith to surmount the
difficulties of the path ahead, for they shall receive a second blessing.
Blessed are they who advance towards the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace, for they shall
find it.
In this world you are given as you give
And you are forgiven as you forgive –
While you go your way
Through each lovely day
You create your future as you live.
©2024 by Pierre Pradervand. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission from the author's blog.
Book by this Author: The Gentle Art of Spiritual Discernment
The Gentle Art of Spiritual Discernment: A Guide to Discovering Your Personal Path
by Pierre Pradervand.
In this guide, Pierre Pradervand offers support for those embarking on an authentic spiritual search. He focuses in depth on helping you answer three fundamental questions: Who am I deep down? What am I really looking for in my spiritual quest? What is the deep motivation of my search? He shows how integrity, generosity, and discernment are essential components of any lasting spiritual path.Showing how to cultivate your inner voice and intuition to become your own empowered spiritual authority, this guide reveals how to see more clearly, open your spiritual horizons, and move toward your own unique spiritual path.
For more info and/or to order this book, For more info and/or to order this book, click here. xxx Also available as an Audiobook and as a Kindle edition.
About The Author
Pierre Pradervand is the author of The Gentle Art of Blessing. He has worked, travelled and lived in over 40 countries on five continents, and has been leading workshops and teaching the art of blessing for many years, with remarkable responses and transformational results.
For over 20 years Pierre has been practising blessing and collecting testimonies of blessing as a tool for healing the heart, mind, body and soul.
Visit him at GentleArtOfBlessing.org and PierrePradervand.com
Article Recap:
Life is metaphorically like a river, and the direction it takes is greatly influenced by the positive energy we bring to it. Just as a river meanders and encounters both rapids and calm stretches, our lives also experience ups and downs that teach us valuable lessons. The key to navigating this journey lies in harnessing positive energy and maintaining a conviction that we can guide our life’s course toward a fulfilling and meaningful destination.
