River of Life

One overcomes unconscious creation through thoughtful, conscious experience. The Master Teachers often refer to this vital, profound life experience as the River of Life. The great philosopher Krishnamurti once commented, “But you can do that only when you leave the pool you have dug for yourself and go out into the River of Life. Then life has an astonishing way of taking care of you, because then there is no taking care on your part. Life carries you where it will because you are part of it; then there is no problem of security, of what people say or don’t say, and that is the beauty of life.”
The River of Life is present in both Christian and Buddhist doctrines.
Siddhartha sits at the edge of the allegoric river where he learns from the judicious ferryman Vasudeva. It is here that Siddhartha recognizes the endless, flowing, changeless rhythm of cycles.
The metaphoric river is also portrayed in Pilgrim’s Progress, the seventeenth century classic which is claimed as one of the most significant works of religious English literature. Pilgrim’s Progress is translated into more than 200 languages and has never been out of print. The spiritual visionary and author John Bunyan conceived the allegorical tale while imprisoned for eleven years for his religious teachings and beliefs. Bunyan was discharged from prison after Charles II of England issued the Royal Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 which finally gave religious liberty to Protestant non-conformists. Like Siddhartha, the Pilgrim is carried on the metaphorical waters of the River of Life, and this creates deep spiritual introspection and transformation.
 - by Lori Toye, from Divine Destiny