There is a state of consciousness called Flow by the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
Where experience is genuinely satisfying. The perception of time is distorted.
Without self-conscious. The self is totally absorbed in the action. Consequently, the self arises more complex afterwards.
Most of us have experienced this kind of state in short periods. It feels good. Time passes quickly and it is enjoyable.
What if we can achieve this state all the time? in other mundane activities?
What causes our minds to enter this state?
Csikszentmihalyi has extensively studied this subject and concluded his book Flow, 3 requirements:
1. Goal – A self-directed goal that is personal.
2. Challenge – The action needs to be properly challenging.
3. Feedback – The more immediate the better. Some measurement criteria.
It can be applied to any activity, as simple as walking or seeing.
For example, we can challenge ourselves to walk in a specific style, only in the shadow and give ourselves feedback for it.
Having a purpose in life – an all-encompassing goal can combine all the flow experiences into one large flow experience.
Lastly, according to the second law of thermodynamics in physics, in all closed systems, the entropy is always increasing. In other words, The universe is in a constant disorder state. As time passes, disorder increases. Also in our minds.
Csikszentmihalyi claims that entering flow unleashes our psychic energy which brings order in consciousness. Flow builds order out of disorder.
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