"Flowing From Beneath" Mixed Media
”A big part of my creative process, as well as life itself, has been learning to let go. Trusting in the creative flow. I gradually learned to paint from the inside out” Leslie Tejada…painter
“Flow” is a relatively new term, but the state of being itself, is as old as humankind. I have always been blessed with the ability to lose myself in my work. I can be in a room full of people and be so into what I am doing I have no idea what is happening around me. I used to explain it as going someplace deep inside myself. Then I heard someone say I was in the state of “flow”.
While reading this week I came across an article on “flow” , I discovered that the term was coined by a Hungarian American researcher named Michal Csikszentmihalyi in 1990 when he was documenting analysis of the heightened state of athletes, painters, and musicians. It is a time when distractions fall away.
It is explained as an intensive focus on a specific task. Time just passes! An individual is directing all their attention toward the task, and they do not experience any thoughts about themselves or their performance. Some people also refer to this as being “in the zone”
We talk a lot about meditation these days. Flow has similarities. They both put the individual in a state of mindfulness as both involve a focus on the present moment. The difference is that when we are in the state of “flow” we are producing something.
Evidence suggests that being in the state of “flow” can rid us of the frustration we often feel during the creative process. We are enjoying what we are doing so much, we don’t think about the end product.
A very positive aspect of being in the state of “flow” is that not only are we creating from the inside out, but changes are also taking place in our brain. When we are mindful, whether we are meditating or in a flow state, our brains are producing dopamine…the “feel good hormone”. This helps with our overall health and how we perceive things.
Like learning to meditate by emptying our minds of any thoughts and just concentrating on our breath, some creators and athletes need to practice how to get into the state of flow. First, we need to practice mindfulness, being present in the moment by focusing and not letting our minds wander. It also helps to have a task we are interested in. Then we need to have time, maybe a place where we will not be interrupted, and we need to want to be there. For visual artists it is letting go of the outcome and enjoying the process.
“Being ‘in the flow’ is definitely worth striving for. I know when I’m there. I’m tapped into something that is far beyond my ability” Aleta Pippin abstract artist
We have all been there on different levels when time just passes; reading a book, taking a leisurely walk when all you do is concentrate on your surrounds, hearing a piece of music that moves us to move with no conscience effort. We are in the moment! We need to bring that mindfulness and lack of judgement to our workspace, then "flow" will come.
“Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.” Chuang Tzu
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