…It Flows by Itself.”
Courtesy. Sue Vincent
Released by author and Gestalt therapist Barry Stevens, it was the self-help book of my generation.
The pages are well worn, dog-eared, book-marked and highlighted in my copy of the 1970 book.
I often recommended it to friends, who were quick to notice that the title just about says it all. The original is no longer in print, and that’s too bad. It is the kind of book that is more of an experience, than merely a good read.
Barry Stevens, 1902-1985, born Mildred Fox, documented her 1969 experience at the Vancouver Gestalt institute under the teachings of Fritz Perls.
This high school dropout, who claimed that in 1918, she “could not learn what she wanted to know in school”, went on to study Zen Buddhism, Native American practices, and the teachings of Krishnamurti, and presented a book that flows very much like life itself.
There have been many times in my own life that I’ve forgotten the lesson of letting the river flow.
This photo triggered some wonderful memories, and maybe a return to my bookshelf for a bit of a refresher course.
vanbytheriver 
i don’t always like cleaning my books shelves it can take days…but then i find a book and get lost in in it again…i understand to need of releasing and letting the river flow…a song comes to my mind from Dylan…compose a beautiful day Van 😀
“People disagreeing everywhere you look,
Makes you wanna stop and read a book.
Why only yesterday I saw somebody on the street
That was really shook.
But this ol’ river keeps on rollin’, though,
No matter what gets in the way and which way the wind does blow,
And as long as it does I’ll just sit here
And watch the river flow. ” Bob Dylan
Thanks, Hedy.
love love!!! thank you Van 😀
My pleasure, Hedy.
That sounds fascinating. I think I’ll hunt down a copy.
Amazon has the 1970 paperback available as a used version, for a reasonable price. I think her sons re-released it under GJP (Gestalt Journal Press) for $25.
Got a hardback comin from eBay 🙂 $11.
Great. Let me know what you think about it…
I love the sound of this book and its message. 🙂
I was young, trying to find myself, and I wore this one out, Judy. Thanks.
It really sounds wonderful! I think the title is a great one and a lesson we often forget!
It spoke to me at an important crossroad in life, Lynn. Thanks, it’s such a natural phenomenon, but we do forget.
yes it surely is
Letting the river flow sounds like good advice.
It seems so, Frank. Thanks for the visit and comment.
I have not heard of this book before but it sure sounds like a keeper. 🌼🌼🌼
I spent a good deal of time in that “self-improvement” section of the book store, Brigid. This one caught my eye, by the title alone. It is a keeper.
Interesting recommendation, I am off to the library to see if they have a copy.
Gestalt therapy was really big in the 60’s and 70’s, and focused on what became “mindfulness” training. I’d be curious to see if it was in the library, B.
I remember the quote, but never read the book, Van. You’re right that the title says it all. Happy revisiting. The book sounds wonderful.
Isn’t it interesting how a photo can trigger so many thoughts and memories? Sue has some really good stuff there. And I found a lot of comfort in that book. Thanks, D.
There must be so much of wisdom embedded here … I’m going to check it out too! That photo made me smile.
It’s like a green otter or badger smiling up at us through the river rock. 💛
There will be so many interpretations of Sue’s photo…for me, this book jumped to mind. Thanks, Val.
I don’t remember this one. I’ll have to check it out..:)
It came to me at just the right time in life, George, made an impression that lasted.
It’s always interesting to revisit the books that had such a profound impact on our lives when we were younger.
Exactly right, Julie. Thanks. I just hope I’ve not become too jaded to appreciate its message today.
Need to check it out. Thanks Van
I wonder what the response will be to it today, DK. I’ll spend some time this weekend with it.
It’s never crossed my reading list. Thanks for the nudge, Van!
It is so very 1970’s, Mark, but I think there is still so much relevance in there. Thanks.
We don’t need a PhD to learn the most important lessons.
Absolutely, D., with emphasis on the “most important” ones. Thanks.
There are some books that are perfect in ‘that’ moment… some stand the test of time too. Thaks for sharing, Van.
It’s interesting to see what my 20 year old self chose to highlight ! Thanks, Sue. The picture was an inspiration.
I managed to miss this one somehow, Van – tho’ I read (and still own) a great many others. I’ll bet the book would create a whole new audience for itself in a Kindle edition.
Before he married, a madcap friend of mine used to have a goddess statue on the back of his john named “Flo” – nametag and all. I think more men than women had time to get the humor, however. 🙂
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!
Ha ha…that’s a very different river flow, M. Thanks for the laugh.
You should have seen Flo!
xx,
mgh
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Thank you, Sue.
“Don’t push the river,” or it’s corollary “You can’t push the river” has become one of those things people say that is so obvious, you can’t even argue with it. Most little comments like this are stupid, but this isn’t stupid. You can’t push everything. You can try, but you will lose.
Oh, to give up the notion that one can push everything…the trying, the losing. I so agree. Thanks for the visit and (never stupid) comment, Marilyn.
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Honored to be included on your list, Traci. Thank you.
More than words…a wise philosophy to LIVE!
Sure enough, Doc, thanks.
Some books Van we can read again and again.. And such books as this I would think is one of them.. May we all learn to live within the Flow.. and appreciate our particular rivers we are travelling upon..
I hope as we push off the shore and allow ourselves to dip in our oars.. We see also the ripples that we send out .. may they be ones filled with love,..
A great reminder the world needs to hear right now my friend xxx ❤
What a lovely response…so typical of you. Thank you, Sue.
You are most welcome xx
Some of those old books are refreshing to read again Van. 🙂
This one…haven’t revisited since the 70’s. It was interesting to see where my focus was…then and now. Thanks, Deb.
Pleasure Van. 🙂
Definitely sounds like a book worth reading.
I revisited it this past weekend…so much still applies, even with the eyes of more life experience. Thanks, Tonya.
What a beautiful quote (it sounds familiar but I’ve never read this book) and so true. Love the idea and concept here. ❤ Thanks for sharing. Off to look it up.
Thank you, Sarah. It spoke to me back then, and now.
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Oh I love this! And I really need to read this book. Thanks for making me aware of it 🙂
Most welcome. Hope you take something from it, S.
Of course. Heaps actually.
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I enjoyed your thoughts here, Van. Rivers, streams, and life — all can flow with such force… It doesn’t seem like we’d even think of resisting. But still, it’s hard to simply go with the flow. Maybe we make it harder than it really is… Just “ponderating.” 😉
For sure, I’ve done my share of resisting. Thanks, Teagan, it really should be more simple than we make it.
That book sounds like a gem of wisdom to have and to hold.
It spoke to me, J… slightly different take on it when I read it recently, but so many lessons, still. Thanks.
Thanks for the reminder of Fritz Perls. I’m not familiar with Barry Stevens’ work, but Perls’ “In And Out Of The Garbage Pail” is one I remember from long ago. “It Flows By Itself” also reminds me of another title, “The Grass Grows By Itself” by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, his book on Zen (He was a professor of comparative religions before being seduced into becoming a cult guru.) It is quite good.
I knew of “garbage pail”, but not the other. Thanks for the reference.