Introducing “The Way of the River” Series (Masterpost)

Dear Community,

I’m excited to share this series with you. I’ve been working on these ideas - on and off - throughout my life. It is my best attempt at providing a map that I hope you all will find practical, helpful, and uplifting.

Like all things on 7 Cups, I see this as a conversation. Some of these points will resonate with you. Please let me know what parts you like or find meaningful. Some points will be less helpful. I’ll work to sharpen all of the points through dialog with you.

One other interesting piece of information - this series is the conceptual framework or underlying philosophy behind 7 Cups. I didn’t have all of these pieces when we started back in 2013. You all have been teaching me these concepts. Just recently, I’ve finally been able to articulate them.

Thank you again for teaching me these ideas and for helping me to refine them. Here is the guide to the series: 

The Journey

This series will have the following parts:

Part 1 - The River - Exploring life as a River 

Part 2 - Navigating Your Own Kayak: Learning to Steer Through Calm and Rapid Waters

Part 3 - Paddling Alongside Others: The Art and Practice of the Wounded Healer

Part 4 - Charting a Course for All of Us - Next steps on the Mission!

Part 5 - Understanding The River Map: Finding Your Flow

Each week, we’ll release new forum posts connected to these parts. 

This masterpost will include all links as they’re released, acting as your blueprint to navigate the full series.

This series offers insights on self-awareness, resilience, and compassionate connection. You will get to discuss, learn, and grow with others on the same path. We have also created the following badges that will help you keep track of your progress:

Badge 1: The First Paddle - For beginning your journey and taking your first step into The Way of the River. Please read and comment here to get this first badge. 

Badge 2: Kayaker - For learning to paddle through calm and rapid waters; finding balance in the flow.

Badge 3: River Fellow - For traveling alongside others - sharing compassion, strength, and understanding on the river.

Badge 4: River Guide - For completing The Way of the River and helping others navigate their own path.

Badge 5: The River Map - For exploring life’s river with curiosity, reflection, and an open heart.

River Guides are community members who’ve completed the journey and are invited to help support new participants who join later.

1. Start the journey by completing part 1 here
2. Take the next step and start part 2 here
3. Part 3 can be found here.
4. Part 4 can be found here.
5. Part 5 is here.

📘 For all the links in one accessible google document, bookmark the Series Guidebook!