While editing my July 1 blog, I discovered the flow model by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It combines several of my topics: Boredom, Control, Doubt (worry), Fear (anxiety), and Flow. Arousal is covered by my blogs on Love and on lust. Relaxation is covered in my blogs on happiness & satisfaction, and confident humility. Until my July 1 blog, I had never written about indifference (apathy).
Please take a look at this highly interesting diagram (source).
The diagram above is a micro perspective on an individual‘s flow. The diagram below–left represents a macro perspective on society‘s flow. The similarities (eg, doubt, fear, vacuum) are striking. The differences (eg, equilibrium, hope, love) may relate to the dimensions: abilities & challenges (above) versus the arrow of time (below). The apparent clock rotation above is probably an optical illusion. Change is at the center of both.
The above diagram states that reaching the Flow requires high abilities and high challenges. This makes me wonder if the Flow may have a connection with the three collective development stages (ie, Needs-Wants-Beliefs) and – in particular – the fourth individual development stage, being an Awakening. See my new diagram below–right.
An argument in favour (of the above connection) are its two dimensions: high abilities and high challenges. An argument against is that you can reach the (individual) Flow in any (collective) development stage. It is, however, more likely that you can more easily tap into the Flow, once you’ve reached the Awakening stage.
My new diagram above–right may finally answer a long outstanding question: are societies able to reach a collective Awakening?
My diagram shows that it’s possible, at least conceptually. It would, however, take high abilities and high challenges. That must be the reason that no society has ever reached the collective development stage of an Awakening. All societies crumble before they reach that stage (eg, famine, pandemic, war).
Some quotes on (the) Flow by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu:
– “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” (eg, source)
– “Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.” (eg, source)
The River Must Flow (1978) by Gino Vannelli
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Through love I will find a meaning in life
But the rain must fall down tonight
And like a river that flows to the sea
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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