What Comes After the First Glimpse? Loch Kelly on Awakening and Flow

Amanda Wilson · 2026-09-15

Have you ever had a moment where everything just... stopped? Where the chatter in your head went quiet, and you felt completely present? Maybe it happened during a walk, or while listening to music. That's often called a "glimpse" — a fleeting taste of something bigger. But what happens after that glimpse fades? That's exactly what meditation teacher Loch Kelly explores in a recent conversation with host Michael Taft. And their discussion might change how you think about your own practice. ### Waking Up vs. Waking With Most of us start with what Kelly calls "waking up." That's the recognition of openness, stillness, and the absence of a separate self. It's a profound shift — but it's not the whole story. Then there's "waking with." This is where things get really interesting. Instead of just recognizing awareness, you start to see that everything arising — thoughts, sounds, sensations — is inseparable from that awake awareness. It's what some traditions call "one taste." Think of it like this: waking up is noticing the sky. Waking with is realizing the clouds are made of the same stuff as the sky. ### Flow States: The Sweet Spot The conversation also dives into flow states — those moments when you're so absorbed in what you're doing that time seems to disappear. You've probably experienced this while cooking, writing, or even having a great conversation. Kelly suggests that flow states are a natural bridge between ordinary consciousness and the deeper recognition of awake awareness. They're not the destination, but they can point you in the right direction. So how do you cultivate more of this in daily life? Here are a few practical takeaways: - **Start small.** You don't need to sit for an hour. Even 60 seconds of noticing your breath can shift something. - **Look for the gaps.** Between thoughts, there's a tiny space. See if you can rest there for a moment. - **Don't chase the glimpse.** The more you try to hold onto it, the faster it slips away. Trust that it's already here. - **Bring awareness into activity.** Try washing dishes or walking to your car with the same attention you'd bring to meditation. ### Why This Matters for Mindful Living If you're a mindfulness professional — a coach, therapist, or teacher — this conversation offers a fresh way to talk about the journey. It's not just about stress reduction or focus. It's about a fundamental shift in how you relate to your own experience. And that shift doesn't require years of retreat. As Kelly points out, these glimpses are available right now. The question is whether we notice them. So the next time you find yourself caught up in mental noise, remember: you don't have to do anything special. Just pause. Look for the openness that's already there. And see what happens next. Because the real awakening isn't about escaping the world. It's about waking up *with* it — one moment at a time.