What Comes After Awakening? Loch Kelly on Flow States

Evelyn Reed · 2026-09-15

You know that first flash of awakening—when the chatter in your head suddenly goes quiet and everything feels open, still, and strangely okay? It's beautiful. It's also just the beginning. In a recent conversation, meditation teacher Loch Kelly sat down with host Michael Taft to talk about what happens *after* that first glimpse. And honestly, their discussion might change how you think about your entire practice. ### Waking Up vs. Waking With: What's the Difference? Most of us start with "waking up." That's the moment you recognize pure openness, stillness, and the fact that the separate self you thought you were... isn't really there. It's a huge relief. But Loch points out there's another dimension: **"waking with."** Instead of just resting in empty awareness, "waking with" means you see everything—sounds, sights, thoughts, emotions—as inseparable from that awake awareness. It's what some traditions call "one taste." Nothing is excluded. The ordinary world and the awakened state aren't two different things. They're one continuous flow. Think of it like this: waking up is noticing the sky. Waking with is realizing the clouds *are* the sky. You don't have to push anything away. ### Flow States: Where Awakening Meets Everyday Life The conversation also dives into flow states—those moments when you're so absorbed in what you're doing that time disappears. Athletes call it "being in the zone." Musicians call it "the pocket." Loch suggests these states aren't just random accidents. They're actually glimpses of "waking with" in action. When you're fully immersed in a conversation, a run, or even washing dishes, you're not clinging to a separate self. You're just... flowing. And that's exactly what awakening feels like when it matures. > "The goal isn't to stay in a permanent state of bliss. It's to bring that openness into the messy, ordinary moments of your day." — Loch Kelly (paraphrased) ### Why This Matters for Your Practice If you've ever felt frustrated because you "lost" your awakening, you're not alone. Many people chase peak experiences, thinking they've failed when the high fades. But Loch's message is gentler: you don't need to chase anything. You just need to notice that awareness is already here, woven into every experience. - **Stop striving.** You can't force awakening. You can only relax into it. - **Include everything.** Don't push away difficult emotions. They're part of the flow too. - **Practice in daily life.** Flow states aren't reserved for meditation cushions. They're available while you're cooking, walking, or even answering emails. The takeaway? Awakening isn't a one-time event. It's a continuous unfolding—and flow states are one of the most natural ways to taste it. So next time you lose yourself in a good book or a deep conversation, pause. You might just be glimpsing what Loch calls "waking with." And that's something you can carry with you, long after the meditation session ends.