I thought walking on water was impossible for mere mortals like me. Then came paddle-boarding and I got enlightenment.

It’s a big fad here in Tahoe. All over actually. People drifting effortlessly into the sunset with that laid back flip of the paddle from side to side. Until very recently, however, I didn’t really understand the buzz. What was wrong with kayaks? You’re sitting down for heaven’s sake. Way more my style. Oh, boy was I missing the point! I finally succumbed and drank the paddleboard Koolaid. Not only did I discover how much fun it is, it also taught me a thing or two about business.

A New Perspective

After a wobbly start on a blustery day, I quickly got way too cocky and headed off in the direction of the lake’s center. Standing my full height above the water’s surface I had a whole new perspective. I was mesmerized: I could see fish, I could see the shore falling away beneath me, teal water surrendering to a deep indigo. It was exhilarating. I was in a trance. A delicious zone of concentration. You have to be so ‘on’ - actively balancing the whole time, feeling the movement of the water beneath you, monitoring and adjusting posture. After a while it becomes second nature, but the core muscles are constantly adapting. I have to read the waves, see the breeze before it comes and be really present to all the senses. I and the board had become one – an amorphous blob of connectedness.

Consequences

All concerns of the day faded away as all of my senses were fully engaged in riding the knife-edge between survival (the water’s cold!) and fun. Each movement has consequences. Everything affects everything else. Reach out too far too the side, shift my weight, misread a wave, and I’m down in a second. Instant karma. I like that. Oh, and best to spend as little time as possible broadside to oncoming waves. I learnt that the hard way.

An hour and a few more cool dips later I was back on the shore, feverishly writing down the insights I’d gained. The next day I made some calls that resulted in a new collaborative project, I wrote an article, and gained a new client. Something had really shifted.

I actually think that there’s so much to be learnt from paddle-boarding, that Esalen will soon be offering ‘paddleboard rebirthing’ courses, or ‘paddling for enlightenment.’ So what did I learn?

1. Perspective is everything – I needed the space, the new angle on everything to get out of my own way and see clearly where I wanted to go. That gave me the clarity to know who I needed to call the next day.Question: Whatever the situation at hand, how can I view it differently, from a different angle?

2. All parts are connected – that experience of every movement having a consequence showed me just how every thought, every action in my life has a consequence. Questions: Am I living my truth? Am I neglecting myself in any way? Am I conscious of my words and actions? If I act rashly without considering the big picture, I could fall over.

3. Fast isn’t necessarily the best – paddle-boarding is not efficient like kayaking. It’s more like a meditation on movement. It’s not about getting somewhere, it’s about how you get there. Question: Are you graceful? Are you present? Are you balanced? Are you smelling the roses?

4. You can’t bring your baggage – there’s nowhere to put anything on a paddleboard. You literally just have the paddle. You can leave all your concerns at the shore. Question: What baggage can I let go of? What resentments, fears, upsets no longer have a place in my life?

5. Balance is an art form – the body will always strive to find balance. Fear of falling is a natural instinct. To temper that into a meditation on inner balance can lead to rich insights. Question: What is out of balance in your life?

6. Storms make me strong – it was a windy day, the waves made it hard to balance. I had a great workout.Question: In what way am I growing through the storms? In what way am I becoming stronger?

So, if you’re feeling stuck in any way, you know what to do. Grab a 20 foot piece of fibreglass, a paddle and head for water. And make sure there’s at least a mild breeze. You’ll have a more intense learning experience!