Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

The natural state of consciousness is entropy, the disorder of the mind, random thoughts that often lead to anxious feelings. To combat this psychic entropy we impose order on our minds. We can do that by executing a task that focuses our attention (we work, play games, do sports, solve problems) or by turning to external stimuli (watch movies, listen to music). While consuming entertainment mostly only tunes out the chaos of the mind, ‘flow' activities help train the mind at getting better at imposing order, while also providing a source of enjoyment.

The most wonderful thing about flow experiences is that you lose your self in the process, but emerge with a stronger self after the experience. It's a cleansing of your mind while also leaving you with a feeling of accomplishment. So, why are we so bad at creating opportunities for flow experiences? That match the right level of skill with the right level of challenge, that allow for focused attention without distractions?

A great book to get inspired. I've known of it but somehow never got around to it until now. So much to take from it. I was actually surprised that he extrapolates the principles of flow from relatively simple focus-activities to one's whole life. Start small, go big.

I loved how the process of giving meaning to one's life is an alternation of turning inwards and turning outwards (1. preserve the self, 2. embrace community, 3. reflective individualism, 4. integrate self with universal values)