how many people do you know who are able to free flow in this way who never encounter any obstacles, never have any lessons to learn in the so-called school of hard knocks?

For me the question is of perception - of seeing 'obstacles'. A perception that sees everything as accurate, would see stepping stones instead of obstacles. It is the same event, apply whichever label you like, it is the label that is emotionaly charged, not the thing in itself. I cannot say I know where anyone else may be at in this regard. The only thing I understand about appearances is that they are deceptive at the first level! I am no better, no worse; not more, not less - than any living being. I lay no claim to anything!