In Wednesday’s blog, I mentioned the “flow of life” in my final paragraph. The first time, I mentioned the word “flow” was in my 2015 blog: In pursuit of happiness. In a 2004 TED video, psychologist Martin Seligman mentions the “flow” within the field of positive psychology. I have also mentioned that creativity (my blog) and Change (my blog) feel like a “flow” to me.
In my case, resisting the “flow” creates personal disorder, discomfort, and stress. Finding the “flow” requires a certain state of mind which I would describe as tranquillity. Losing my flow is usually the result of losing my tranquillity.
Wiki: “Tranquillity is the quality or state of being tranquil; that is, calm, serene, and worry-free. The word tranquillity appears in numerous texts ranging from the religious writings of Buddhism, where the term passaddhi refers to tranquillity of the body, thoughts and consciousness on the path to enlightenment, to an assortment of policy and planning guidance documents, where interpretation of the word is typically linked to engagement with the natural environment.”
Our primary 5-7 senses (eg, hearing, sight, smell, taste, touch) cannot find the “flow”. The “flow” is an unknown known, like our subconscious intuition. Martin Seligman describes the “flow” as follows: “But what Mike told you yesterday — during flow … you can’t feel anything. You’re one with the music. Time stops. You have intense concentration.”
Sometimes, I wonder if the “flow” is a dimension, like Time and Space. Perhaps, the “flow” is a derivative of the time dimension, as both the arrow of time and “flow” appear to have one (1) direction: forward. The difference between both appears to be the individual versus generic purpose (in/of life). Time is generic (eg, ageing, measurement).
Water is a common analogy for the “flow” because water appears to run its natural and normal course. A 2017 TED video by Raymond Tang talks about the philosophy of water. He mentions that 3 lessons can be derived from water: humbleness, harmony, and openness (a.k.a. HHO or H2O). These 3 lessons also seem relevant for the Flow of Life.
Raymond Tang was inspired by a poem from the Tao Te Ching, the Book of the Way and Its Virtue, by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “The supreme goodness is like water. It benefits all things without contention. In dwelling, it stays grounded. In being, it flows to depths. In expression, it is honest. In confrontation, it stays gentle. In governance, it does not control. In action, it aligns to timing. It is content with its nature and therefore cannot be faulted.”
The tranquillity of the “flow” is the reason why I think, feel and believe that l am happy and satisfied in life, although alone. Perhaps, this is the Awakening stage in my concept of Needs-Wants-Beliefs and Awakening (see Tuesday’s blog).
The River Must Flow (1978) by Gino Vannelli
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise
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