Loch Kelly: The Flow State Secret After Awakening

Evelyn Reed · 2026-09-15

Ever had a moment where everything just clicked? You felt open, still, and strangely whole. Maybe you thought, "This is it. I'm awake." But then life happens—you get triggered, lost in thought, and that openness feels like a distant memory. What if that first glimpse isn't the finish line, but the starting point? That's exactly what meditation teacher Loch Kelly and host Michael Taft dig into in this episode. They explore what comes after the first taste of awakening, and how flow states fit into the bigger picture. It's a conversation that might just change how you think about your own practice. ### Waking Up vs. Waking With Most of us know the phrase "waking up." It's that recognition of openness, stillness, and the absence of a separate self. It's profound, no doubt. But Kelly introduces another layer: "waking with." This is where appearances—thoughts, feelings, sensations—are seen as inseparable from awake awareness. It's what some traditions call "one taste." Instead of trying to escape experience, you're right in it, and it's all awake. Think of it like this: waking up is noticing the sky. Waking with is realizing the clouds are made of sky too. Nothing is outside of it. ### Flow States as a Gateway So where do flow states come in? You know those moments when you're so absorbed in what you're doing that time disappears? That's flow. And according to Kelly, flow states can be a kind of doorway. They show us what it's like to be fully present without effort. But they're not the whole story. Flow is temporary—it comes and goes. Awake awareness, on the other hand, is always here. The invitation is to let flow states point you toward something more permanent. Not to chase the high, but to recognize the awareness that's already holding it all. > "The glimpse is just the beginning. The real transformation happens when you learn to live from that openness, not just visit it." — Loch Kelly ### Bringing It Into Daily Life This isn't about sitting on a cushion for hours. It's about micro-shifts. Kelly suggests simple questions like, "What's here right now when I'm not labeling it?" or "Can I notice the awareness that's already aware?" These tiny inquiries can drop you into a different way of being, even in the middle of a busy day. And here's the thing: you don't have to get rid of thoughts or emotions. They can be there, but you're not tangled up in them. You're the space they appear in. ### Why This Matters for Mindful Living Pros If you're guiding others in mindfulness, this distinction is gold. Many people get attached to peak experiences and then feel like failures when they fade. By teaching "waking with," you help them see that awakening isn't a state to achieve—it's a recognition to live from. Flow states become a bonus, not the goal. So next time you're in flow, enjoy it. But also ask: what's aware of this flow? That question might just open a door you didn't know was there. ### Key Takeaways - Waking up is recognizing openness; waking with is seeing everything as inseparable from that openness. - Flow states are temporary and can point you toward permanent awake awareness. - Simple inquiries can bring this recognition into daily life. - For mindfulness professionals, teaching "waking with" helps clients avoid the trap of chasing peak experiences. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that the journey doesn't end with a glimpse. It's just the beginning.