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February 24, 2005
FLOW
...flow
conversation snippets...
big problem ---> Lack of FLOW. I used to be addicted to FLOW. I used to adjust my life to attaining flow, like a junkie. Its been too, way too long since I was in a state of FLOW. This describes what I mean. Here is a quote from the back of a book...
"...For more than two decades Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has been studying states of "optimal experience" - those times when people report feelings of concentration and deep enjoyment. These investigations have revealed that what make experience genuinely satisfying is a state of consciousness called flow - a state of concentration so focused that it amounts to absolute absorption in an activity. Everyone experiences flow from time to time and will recognize its charactoristics: People typically feel strong, alert, in effortless control, unselfconscious, and at the peak of their abilities. Both the sense of time and emotional problems seem to disappear, and there is an exhilarating feeling of transcendence. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience reveals how this pleasurable state can, in fact, be controlled, and not just left to chance, by setting ourselves challenges - tasks that are neither too difficult nor too simple for our abilities. With such goals, we learn to order the information that enters consciousness and thereby improve the quality of our lives."
Flow is basically living in the moment. (It's NOT the "going with the flow" that 9's*** get stuck in - that is just going along with whatever). This is real Flow.
...You are the boat, the river, and you are even generating the current. It all becomes one and you are an active but seemingly effortless director. Perfection. You are 100% in the moment, and adjust your (re)actions perfectly to the situation/activity/environment as they happen to acommodate your intent.
Activities that have routinely delivered Flow, for me: Slalom waterskiing, snowboarding, mountainbiking, motorcycling, diving, running, moments of football, softball, climbing. Sometimes playing guitar with another guitar and drums. Shooting pool. Working out.
For a somewhat less intense flow, sometimes reading, writing, having a conversation, having sex. It can happen doing anything. The key though seems to be having an adequate level of skill that matches the activity. The more skill, the higher the level of activity, the more intense the flow. If you dont have enough skill for a certain activity, its awkward or frustrating. If you have too much skill, it is boring so there is not 100% absorption. For me, physical, often rythmic activities did the trick the best. Most of those things I dont do anymore. I guess as I've gotten older, I've tried to get the same flowing satisfaction in other, less physical ways, such as everyday activities, but I'm either bored or frustrated it seams. I can think of a few reasons why I lack flow. I am out of shape, and no longer do my fun things on a regular basis. For non-physical activities, again, Im out of shape, leaving me more stuck in my head. Also, I have to many toxins in me leaving my brain sluggish. Nope, haven't found anyone to flow with lately, and thats the best flow of all.
Step 1. Get to gym and lay off the cheeseburgers.
That "moment" of flow IS spirituality to me. Imagine having flow 24/7, in the moment, fully living Now to the fullest.
I don't think I've had an especially intense life. Although I've spent a lot of time doing those activities, and have had many peak experiences, it all seemed pretty normal except for some really peak experiences that I guess bordered on transendantal or endorphin overload due to unplanned danger. I'm sure I've spent more time watching TV overall. But I thrive on the peak stuff, wither watching TV.
It seems like those experiences have to do with being forced/drawn out of my head and into my gut.
Re: Raw foods diet. I have noticed that a combo of eating very clean - not junk, tons of fresh fruit and vegetables - (basically healthy vegetarian with small amounts of protien - very little or no meat or dairy or processed food), ...combined with physical exercise and meditation, really helps to make me more prone to get that flow going. Performing an activity on a regular basis also helps, of course.
***
enneagram type 9; enneagram is a kind of personality system, with esoteric aspects, based on basic motivations arising from innate fears. good googling.
Posted by Ocean at February 24, 2005 01:01 AM