Mid term Blog post in lieu of Mid term report: Flow

The psychology of Flow is just as much a philosophical read as it is a psychological one. This is a unique feature of the book as many psychology book don't delve into the meaning of happiness, the content of experience, the love of fate, and personality differences, and the paradox of work in such a meaningful manner with such in depth detail. In Flow, Dr. Mihaly first describes what takes up most of our days in the modern world. Work, maintenance of self, and leisure are most of the contents of that take up our day to day experience. It is the passive way in which we engage in these categories, however, that leads to much of our unhappiness. If we could only find flow in every day life, we would be more fulfilled human beings. The definition of Flow is herein required to proceed in learning how we incorporate it into our activities. Flow is described as participating in an activity in which the normal conscious restraints we place on ourselves dissipate. Our self-regulation ceases to be as we become consumed in the activity at hand. A sense of no-effort  is brought to mind from Eastern philosophy. Musicians often times experience this sense of unity within an activity, in particular when Jazz artists improvise. Outside problems and concerns do not exist as the only idea present is the present. Time seems to stop, however, in extended states of flow can conclude with hours flying by with only the feeling of one hour being expended. When the flow stops, the memory of it is not as detailed or distinct as being able to place what note came after the 3rd bar in the second solo. The memory is not present as memory is forever in the past. Upon exiting flow, the sense of hereness does not immediately leave you. Filled with a particular feeling of contentedness without  extreme  self awareness is one of the markers of having experience a flow experience. How do we catalyze and experience like this in work, relationships, and life in leisure though? This is where Dr. Mihaly seems pretty interestingly Eastern in his thoughts. He places emphasis on the present. Not simply noticing the details of what room you are in, or paying attention to the texture of the food you are currently eating, but experiencing the present with as much presence as possible. For to pay attention to the details of  anything still invokes an experiencer separated from experience situation that disqualifies it from the realm of flow. One must breathe from the heels, experiencing the songs of the birds, the wind rustling the leaves, the smell of autumn. Not simply remark upon them. Dr. Mihaly believes that Flow can be found in work and relationships on a daily basis. These experiences are moments most Westerners wouldn't consider to be extremely provocative of the senses, and  actually exude a mundane air about them as habits form into routines. However, it is this that Dr. Mihaly believes to be the antithesis of fulfilling life and flow. Finding flow in a relationship involves experiencing flow activities together, naturally. However, it need not be white water rafting, or some grand experience. Dr. Mihaly believes that simply by truly being in the conversation, flow can begin. It is not uncommon to have a conversation while mentally being in multiple other places simultaneously. The experience of falling in love is often one of flow. Whe nconversations in the wee hours of the night conclude with the sun's rising, neither lover is aware of how time could've passed. These types of experiences surely can be considered flow. In terms of work and leisure activities, one of the principal notions of flow is constantly challenging oneself with attainable goals. The act of overcoming previously undiscovered skill barriers is the joyous flow that leads to a happy life. It is when we stop moving forward does the flow halt. That is not to say that one must always be improving one's skill set to be happy, but flow simply takes on another face in the light of experienced practitioners as in the case of the Jazz improv artist. Flow is a fascinating book in its entirety is very recommended as it it may provide of the most practical, achievable, true paths to happiness. By incorporating practicing Eastern thinking within a Western world, he makes it clear what the Tibetan Monk experiences  in deep meditation as well as the architect building the next great Western building.