Flow State is one of my favourite topics because 1) it feels amazing, and 2) it promotes self-integration across multiple levels of being. It is a fully embodied state and yet it is often described as an ecstatic experience, wherein one “stands outside of oneself.” All boundaries seem to dissolve between self, environment, and activity. It is experienced as a fluid stream of spontaneous creativity, bliss, and total presence. It is plunging into the Deep Now.
A key feature of flow state is the balance between challenge and perceived skill level. If a task is too difficult, it becomes too stressful and discouraging. If a task is too easy and understimulating, there is little motivation to engage. When the balance is just right, we get to surf the exciting currents of the moment, co-creating effortlessly with the universe. There’s something so meditative, zen, and Taoist about it! I will have to delve deeper into the spiritual and philosophical implications in another post. 🤔🌊🧘🏻♀️✨
Flow State was first researched by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s, focusing on high-performance athletes, musicians, and political leaders. More recent scholarship has expanded its application to more mundane activities. For example, in a flow state, cleaning the bathroom can feel like an extraordinarily rewarding challenge. The good news is that we can all consciously develop the attitude and mindfulness necessary to reproduce this wonderful state!
While flow states cannot be forced, we can create the conditions for it to emerge. We must create spaces free from distraction to cultivate our focus and attention. When we do what we love, we feed our souls and flood our brains with all the yummy chemicals. Flow has addictive properties, releasing five major feel-good chemicals: norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, anandamide, and endorphins. When we experience flow often, we strengthen our sense of mastery and reinforce our self-concept. We feel more alive, more connected, and more purposeful in our lives.
Further reading: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
