The flow state is what happens when you are fully immersed and absorbed in whatever you are doing.
It is the true definition of trust in the process. Whether that process is creating art, music, writing, being an athlete, surfer, dancer, chef, parent, or just living your life in general.
Author Shaun McNiff, an artist who wrote “Trust the Process: An Artist’s Guide to Letting Go” says –
“Whether in painting, poetry, performance, music, dance, or life, there is intelligence at work in every situation. This force is the main carrier of creation.”
If we trust it and follow its natural movement, it will blow us away with its ability to find a way through problems — and even make creative use of our mistakes and failures.
There is a magic to this process that cannot be controlled by the ego. Somehow it always finds its way to the place where it wants to be, and a destination that you could never know beforehand
When all seems hopeless and going nowhere… trust the process.
This reflects what positive psychologists Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Jeanne Nakamura say about the flow state. In a Ted Talk in 2004, Csikszentmihalyi said –
“There is this focus that, once it becomes intense, leads to a sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity: You know exactly what you want to do from one moment to the next; you get immediate feedback,”
Part of the research he did to reach his conclusions was to interview high achievers and high performers such as surgeons, ballerinas, mountain climbers, and chess players.
I believe the magic lies within this flow state for all of us.
I know from experience that when I trust the writing process, I am guided to create things by some part of myself that is largely unconscious.
When I procrastinate I have wasted energy and despite my best efforts, I can’t get anything done. Achieving the state of flow is part of success, and I believe it can lead you to great things.
I believe being in a state of flow can help you manifest your dreams.
Why? Because being in a state of flow means you have pure focus.
The usual chatter of your mind stops.
You are concentrating on the task at hand and no other negative feeling, distraction or emotion can obstruct that focus.
The more you can access a state of flow in your work or creative pursuits, the more you train your mind to experience that pure focus.
That is exactly the state of mind that is required for creative visualization and manifestation.
The ego falls, you lose your sense of time and place, and you become completely absorbed in what you are doing and where your attention is placed.
If you can apply a flow state to visualizations and conscious manifestation – you will see a huge improvement in your life.
Practice achieving the state of flow in your daily life.
- Happiness – A lasting sense of joy and well-being of being in the moment.
- Clarity — Unconscious wisdom about what needs to be done in the moment.
- Increased Concentration — Higher output of good work than knowing how to focus without distraction.
- More creativity — It inspires deeper creativity and new ideas.
- Absence of obstacles — Stress, anxiety and worry disappear when we are focused in the flow state.
- Greater engagement — You feel fully involved in the task at hand.
Neuroscience supports the flow state. Research has shown changes in brain activity when people are immersed in flow states. Other findings suggest an increase in the brain chemical dopamine when people are intoxicated.
Clear goals / Engagement and Concentration
Csikszentmihalyi explains that flow is most likely to be achieved when we are faced with a task that has clear goals and that is challenging and demanding for us. It is not about being relaxed, and passive but rather when we are engaging our mind or body and fully involved in something that takes our interest and attention.
An enjoyable task
It will be much easier to get into a flow state if you enjoy what you are doing and are excited about the process. If you are also good at what you are doing, this helps as you feel more motivated.
Eliminate Distractions
Make sure you are not easily distracted when you are focusing on the task. Try to reduce anything that can draw your attention away. Turn off your phone or mute any outgoing messages for example.
Challenge
You can reach flow when you intend to overcome a certain challenge or find a solution within your task. If you’re a writer, this could be finding a new way to tell your story or express your opinion. If you are a dancer, this could be perfecting a move. If you are playing chess, it will be the next strategy to defeat your opponent.
Flow occurs when you are fully engaged in achieving something, as well as allowing yourself to be naturally guided in absorbing the task.
Regular meditation
Meditation and mindfulness train the mind to be more present, calmer, clearer and happier. A mind that is comfortable in this way is much more likely to be able to experience the flow state.
Meditation helps us to be focused, not distracted and in the moment – all things that benefit us when we achieve the state of flow.
I believe that flow can be achieved when we synchronize our hearts, minds, and souls with the task at hand.
I think you will find that once you start creating flow in your life in other ways, you may find it easier to access the same state of flow when you apply your attention to your dreams and goals.
Manifesting shouldn’t be a huge effort to try to make something happen.
Being in the flow is what will help you create masterful work or win that tournament.
Being in the flow when setting your intentions or visualizing can harness the same magic.
When you regularly achieve a state of flow in your life, you will boost your confidence in your ability to be productive and your overall energy levels and happiness will increase.
You will feel a sense of satisfaction, ecstasy, and motivation.
All of these things greatly enhance your ability to create the life you desire.
This magical state of creation and trust in the process has a high vibrational frequency that is out there in alignment with all the things you dream of.
Access flow and you will take charge of your dreams and find the confidence, motivation, and unstoppable self-belief to manifest everything you want.
