Flow, The Secret To Happiness
Is “flow” the secret to lasting happiness?
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi asks, “What makes a life worth living?” Noting that money cannot make us happy, he looks to those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of “flow.”
The term “flow” has now become associated with a new field of conscious endeavour. In a way it reminds me of reaching a trained state of awareness that can be brought forth by an act of will. There have been over the years many different modalities that very specifically seek to help an individual achieve this state. One such process involves teaching individuals to relax in a certain way – body, mind soul. Physically emotionally and mentally. Then to associate very specific cues with that state of awareness. Once that awareness is achieved, it is reinforced in such a way that the process to get there, by calming the mind and shifting the brain wave activity, can then become automatic based upon desire.
The desire then becomes the cue. To reach a state of heightened awareness in which all functions of the brain come into play, as required for a whole being immersion in life numerous problem solving opportunities. Flow then by this definition is an act of will in direct harmony with the presence of focussed desire. Businesses and leaders in the field are today encouraging this state of “flow”.
Now as one that has spent a lifetime teaching this state under a different name, let me share how it appears to me. Whenever I teach anything, no matter what, I enter into a state of flow. I do this by an act of surrender. Prior to a class I review everything I wish to become aware of. Then prior to delivery I enter into a meditative state, centre myself and say a prayer. I surrender the outcome in all of its glory and potential infamy to the highest Source of creation and then walk out to deliver. What then happens is at the end of the programme, it is over and my recall is minimal. People often times say, “Are you channeling?” My answer is no. I am simply in tune with the driving force of my higher self. If that is channeling, then the answer would be yes.
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