Recommended Reading: "Flowdreaming"
Even though "Flowdreaming" was published in 2006, I only recently discovered a copy of this combination book/CD at my local bookstore.
I have long believed in a Universal, divine flowing energy that works to bring about balance and harmony, yet Summer McStravick has actually proposed that one could shift their awareness into this divine flow--a dimension of your existence where all things and events originate and your highest good is manifested--to create a more fulfilling life.
Ironically, some of the content of the "Flowdreaming" book just doesn't "flow," as some of Ms. McStravick's ideas on how to exactly explain the concept seem to jump around the book in an unorganized, noncohesive manner, but overall it paints a useful overview that explores how to use this radical technique to really begin manifesting. More can be gained, however, from listening to the accompanying CD that's included.
The CD has two exercises to help you prepare for being in the flow, and three guided meditations that take you into it and assist you in imagining what you would like to create and experience. The three tracks consist of flowdreaming for: 1) the best of everything; 2) financial abundance; and 3) emotional fulfillment and harmonious relationships. Ms. McStravick has a lovely, soothing voice, and her choice of words and emphasis are extremely effective to evoke just the right feelings and images to thoroughly enhance your complete experience of flowdreaming.
Because Ms. McStravick rushes through the induction rather quickly, and others have commented on the same thing in Amazon.com's reviews, there is some argument among her readers as to whether her process is actually a "real" meditation. I believe it is definitely on the same level, where your mind needs to reach the alpha state to allow this process of evoking particular imagery, sensory experiences, and feelings to be more effective. Being a hypnotherapist, I understand the need to relax the body and the critical mind to allow the more holistic, creative function of the mind to become more engaged in this type of visualization process. Even Ms. McStravick herself discusses the similarities in her book on page 94, where she states:
Once the mental chatter ceases, a person will find him- or herself experiencing alpha brain waves, which act as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind. Alpha waves are associated with visualization and daydreaming, and past biofeedback research has shown that a person can increase the number of alpha waves they produce by relaxing and experiencing guided imagery. And deeper meditation evokes theta brain waves, which represent access to the subconscious mind, as well to stores of creativity, memory, emotion, and feeling or sensation.
Similar to traditional meditation, getting in the Flow means altering your mental state to tap these deeper levels of brain waves.
However, as Ms. McStravick also points out, the difference is that flowdreaming is a guided meditation where you are instructed on what to imagine, whereas traditional meditation is the process of completely stilling the mind.
Nonetheless, because of the need to reach the alpha state for an enhanced experience of flowdreaming, I recommend performing progressive relaxation for a short while before starting to allow yourself to fully reach a more productive state of mind.
From the first moment I began my guided meditation with my awareness riding this flow, the power of the experience jump-started my kundalini to a new level that I have never experienced before. Now, spikes of energy rush to and out of my head several times throughout my meditation and for the rest of the day and night. The energy sometimes continually flows like a fountain out of head, flowing down and around my scalp for extended periods. Other times I experience the "Medusa Effect" where it feels like hundreds of small snakes dance around the top of my head. The spikes are so powerful they are now causing severe headaches on a daily basis. Because of this, I've come to the conclusion that this flow energy is incredibly powerful and transformative.
I noticed after beginning this new technique that my own meditation on connecting with the source is very similar to, if not exactly like, the process that happens when one flowdreams. You connect with the divine source--the true source of abundance--and allow this source to guide you and bring peace of mind, abundance, and harmony into your life.
"Flowdreaming" book on Amazon.com: "Flowdreaming: A Radical New Technique for Manifesting Anything You Want"
