“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”: A Journey Toward the Self and the Truth
"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream."
This simple nursery rhyme, often sung by children, holds profound wisdom that resonates with the core truths of human existence. It is more than just a playful melody—it is a gentle guide to living, a pointer to the deeper reality of life, and an invitation to explore the mysteries of the Self, the universe, and the divine.
Flowing with Life
“Row, row, row your boat…”
The imagery of rowing a boat symbolizes the individual journey each of us undertakes in life. The boat represents our body and mind, and the act of rowing refers to the effort we put into navigating the world. Every day, we are engaged in the act of rowing—moving forward in our careers, relationships, spiritual practices, and personal growth. Yet, this verse also implies a sense of responsibility. It does not suggest we should be passive or let the boat drift aimlessly. Instead, it gently reminds us that we have the power to row, to take action, and to steer our course through life.
However, the key here is in how we row. The word “gently” carries significant weight. It encourages us to embrace life with grace, patience, and softness. We are not meant to row with force, against the current, or in resistance to what life presents. To row gently is to acknowledge that there is a natural flow to life, a current that moves in alignment with the universe. When we resist this flow, we experience struggle and suffering. But when we trust and surrender to it, we find ease, peace, and clarity.
Life, like a stream, moves continuously. It carries us through experiences, challenges, joys, and lessons. Our task is not to control the stream but to flow with it, trusting that it leads us where we need to go. This concept aligns with many spiritual teachings, reminding us that life is not something to be controlled or manipulated but something to be lived in harmony with the greater flow of existence.
The Joy of Knowing
“… merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily…”
The repetition of the word “merrily” suggests something important: Joy is not only a fleeting emotion but a fundamental aspect of life’s journey. When we row our boat gently, with acceptance and flow, Joy naturally arises. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances or outcomes; it is the joy that comes from within, from knowing that we are in tune with the rhythm of life.
This merriment is more than just simple happiness. It is the deeper joy that arises when we realize that life itself is a reflection of who we truly are. As we seek to know ourselves, to uncover the layers of conditioning, fears, and limitations, we discover that joy is our natural state. When we recognize that our essence is love, peace, and unity, we can move through life merrily, understanding that even in the face of challenges, we are never separate from the source of our joy.
Joy in this context is not naïve optimism; it is the result of deep inner work and self-knowledge. It is the joy that comes from embracing all aspects of life—the ups and downs, the highs and lows—with equanimity. By turning inward, we learn to let go of the attachment to outcomes and instead live from a place of trust and joy, knowing that life unfolds exactly as it should.
Life is But a Dream
“… life is but a dream.”
This final line holds the deepest philosophical and spiritual truth. It reminds us of the illusory nature of the world we perceive. Life, as we know it, is much like a dream—fleeting, impermanent, and ultimately unreal. The ancient wisdom of many spiritual traditions, such as Vedanta and Buddhism, teaches that what we experience as reality is in fact “maya,” or illusion. The world of forms, sensations, and experiences is not the ultimate reality but a projection of our mind.
When we truly understand that life is a dream, we gain the freedom to step outside the confines of our limited identity. Just as a dream dissolves upon waking, our identification with the ego, the small self, dissolves when we awaken to the Truth of who we are. In this awakening, we realize that we are not separate from life, from others, or from the divine. We ARE the DREAMER, and everything we see around us is a manifestation of the dream.
This realization does not negate the importance of our experiences or suggest that we should abandon the world. On the contrary, it offers a new way of engaging with life. When we see life as a dream, we begin to live with more awareness, compassion, and love. We stop clinging to things and people as though they were permanent, and we let go of our attachments. This letting go brings a deep sense of peace, for we know that nothing in the dream can harm the essence of who we are.
Seeking the Truth Within
The realization that life is a dream is a call to turn inward, to seek the Truth of who we are beyond the dream. The journey toward self-realization is the greatest adventure we can undertake. It requires us to question everything we believe to be true and to look beyond the surface of things. The world, with all its beauty and challenges, serves as a mirror reflecting back to us the parts of ourselves we need to examine.
By turning inward, we come to understand that the ultimate truth lies within us. The essence of who we are is not found in external achievements or possessions but in the stillness of our own being. In that stillness, we encounter the Divine—the God within. We realize that we are not separate from the source of life but are expressions of it. This realization brings with it a profound sense of unity and oneness with all that is.
In the stillness of meditation, contemplation, or prayer, we touch the infinite, the timeless, the Truth. This Truth is that we are all one, interconnected and inseparable from the Divine Source that creates and sustains the universe. In knowing this, we can move through life with a sense of peace, joy, and acceptance, understanding that everything we experience is an opportunity to reflect and know ourselves more deeply.
Rowing Toward the Truth
"Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream."
This simple rhyme offers profound guidance for those on the spiritual path. It invites us to flow gently with life, embracing the joy that comes from self-awareness and the recognition of the dream-like nature of existence. When we understand that life is a reflection of who we are, we stop seeking fulfillment in external things and instead turn inward to discover the God within.
In this inner journey, we come to know the Truth: that we are not separate from the divine, that we are all one, and that life, in all its complexity and beauty, is ultimately an illusion—a dream we can use to awaken to the Truth of who we really are.
With Gratitude and Love,
Lauren @ Brahmaloka Healing Arts
XOXO