Flow Experience
Trigger and Dave were laughing at me over beer for talking about "Flow Experience" last night (I first encountered the term in Scientific American Mind)*
I just think they need to read more (and need a semi-public arse kicking):
-- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on "Finding Flow" at Psychology Today
* I was drawing parallels between "flow experience" and having "headspace" (which is an appropriation of the more mundane definition of leaving space in a filled container so it can expand). My point is that when you're in a flow state you don't have the headspace for activities which require knowledge outside that being used/tapped by the flow state. There has been some interesting studies using MRI which show how the brain biochemically changes in these states - your brain, for instance, can actually shift processing power between the senses so, for .g., you can see better at the expense of your hearing.
Speaking of flow experiences, go look at my photos of the Scottish Highlands:
I just think they need to read more (and need a semi-public arse kicking):
[...]
These exceptional moments are what I have called "flow" experiences. The metaphor of flow is one that many people have used to describe the sense of effortless action they feel in moments that stand out as the best in their lives. Athletes refer to it as "being in the zone," religious mystics as being in "ecstasy," artists and musicians as "aesthetic rapture."
It is the full involvement of flow, rather than happiness, that makes for excellence in life. We can be happy experiencing the passive pleasure of a rested body, warm sunshine, or the contentment of a serene relationship, but this kind of happiness is dependent on favorable external circumstances. The happiness that follows flow is of our own making, and it leads to increasing complexity and growth in consciousness.
-- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on "Finding Flow" at Psychology Today
* I was drawing parallels between "flow experience" and having "headspace" (which is an appropriation of the more mundane definition of leaving space in a filled container so it can expand). My point is that when you're in a flow state you don't have the headspace for activities which require knowledge outside that being used/tapped by the flow state. There has been some interesting studies using MRI which show how the brain biochemically changes in these states - your brain, for instance, can actually shift processing power between the senses so, for .g., you can see better at the expense of your hearing.
Speaking of flow experiences, go look at my photos of the Scottish Highlands:
posted by stu willis at
5:46 pm
4 Comments:
That was an excellent justification until it became propaganda for your photography.
By
Damien, at Sat Apr 14, 06:08:00 pm AEST
I barely participated in the conversation and no one denied the existence of the concept.
David
By
Anonymous, at Sun Apr 15, 11:06:00 pm AEST
That guy has a flow experience every time he spells his name correctly.
And everyone knows it's called "flowspace" anyway.
By
Anonymous, at Mon Apr 16, 09:51:00 am AEST
it's a total brain teaser for me whether i'd rather be in the midst of the scottish highlands or "aesthetic rapture" (not that they seem all that different) - i've been in both, but not at the same time.
By
christy, at Wed Apr 18, 03:48:00 am AEST
Post a Comment
<< Home