What Comes After Your First Awakening Glimpse?

Evelyn Reed · 2026-09-15

Ever had a moment where everything just... stopped? Where the constant chatter in your head went quiet, and you felt completely present? That's often called a "glimpse" in meditation circles. But what happens next? That's exactly what host Michael Taft and meditation teacher Loch Kelly dig into in this episode. ### Waking Up vs. Waking With Most of us are familiar with the idea of "waking up"—that sudden recognition of openness, stillness, and the absence of a separate self. It's a profound shift. But Loch Kelly introduces another layer: "waking with." This is where appearances—everything you see, hear, and feel—are seen as inseparable from awake awareness. It's often called "one taste." Instead of transcending the world, you're fully in it, but with a different perspective. ### The Flow State Connection So how does this relate to flow states? You know, those times when you're so absorbed in what you're doing that time seems to vanish? Loch and Michael explore how flow states can be a gateway to this "waking with" experience. When you're in flow, there's no separate self pulling the strings—there's just the activity happening effortlessly. It's a taste of what it means to live from awake awareness. ### Why This Matters for Mindful Living If you're a mindful living professional, you've probably encountered clients or students who've had a glimpse and then wonder, "Now what?" This conversation offers a roadmap. It's not about chasing more glimpses or trying to hold onto them. It's about integrating that openness into everyday life—so that washing dishes, walking the dog, or sitting in a meeting all become expressions of awake awareness. > "The goal isn't to escape the world, but to see it clearly as it is—already awake." — Loch Kelly ### Practical Takeaways - **Notice the gaps:** Between thoughts, there's a natural stillness. Can you rest there for a moment? - **Embrace the ordinary:** Waking with doesn't require special conditions. It's available right now, in the midst of your busy day. - **Flow as practice:** When you're in flow, pause and notice the absence of a separate self. That's a glimpse of one taste. - **Don't strive:** This isn't about achieving something new. It's about recognizing what's already here. ### Moving Forward Whether you're new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it means to live mindfully. It's not just about feeling calm or focused—it's about waking up *and* waking with. And that shift can transform how you show up in the world, both on and off the cushion. So the next time you have a glimpse of openness, don't just savor it and move on. Ask yourself: How can I bring this awareness into the next moment? That's where the real adventure begins.