Entering the Divine Flow Part 3

October 8, 2026

Sometimes we need to withdraw. Perhaps our feelings have been hurt, or we are physically and mentally exhausted. Maybe we are drained from interacting with people.

Other times, we withdraw to reflect, contemplate, pray, or simply be alone with God. When we move away from distractions, however, we may begin to see ourselves as if under a microscope. What is minuscule may appear massive when we concentrate only on ourselves.

Although we have both extroversion and introversion attitudes within us, one of them usually predominates. However, regardless of the function that is the greatest, most of us have times when we must draw inward—to retreat, reflect, and prepare. This is our introverted side. And most of us have times of extroversion when we want contact and communication with others.

In the spiritual life, much attention—and rightly so—is given to introversion. By its very nature, spiritual growth requires times of silence, retreat, solitude, contemplation, and stillness. Hundreds of spiritual teachers have written valuable books about the essential place of alone time with God.  

That said, I would also like to recognize the extroverted aspect of spirituality. Connections between and among people carry power—power that can strengthen each person in the group. But to receive that power, we must reach outward to connect with others. Having trusted friends with whom we communicate, suffer with, and celebrate with, keeps us in divine flow. And on the group level, the combined energy is greater than the energy of any one individual. Opening ourselves to another’s spirit and energy, continuously infuses us with new life.

A couple of days ago, I experienced a slump. You know these ebbs in the flow. They appear and pull us down for a while, and then, usually, we return to our normal state. Focused on my studies and writing, I had inadvertently sequestered myself. As a result, I had fallen into one of the traps of isolation: focusing too much on my work, I became more aware than usual of all my deficits. When disconnected from others for too long, those lacks can become larger than life.

On this particular day, I went to my gym class even though I felt like staying home. During the class, I experienced a surge of energy. I don't know exactly where it came from, but I do know the group positively affected me. Their exuberant presence reminded me that I belong to something greater than myself. As my energy joined the group’s —the life force itself, I became more conscious of the larger world around me, to which I belonged. The gravity of my concerns lessened to the point I wondered why I had been so concerned.

Feeling that human life force, and knowing I was one with it, became a powerful antidote to my self-focus and the gloom that tried to envelop me. Being with others was what Norman Vincent Peale would have called a “spirit lifter.”

And that realization allowed me to re-enter the Divine Flow.

Inquiry

What extroverted activity would likely place you in divine flow? 

Prayer

Dear God, For community and its reminder that I am more than me, I am so grateful.

Amen