ON FLOW

272 Comments

I’m no expert on flow, though I have experienced it on various occasions and in various arenas. To me, it has always been the seamless transition of heightened focus/rhythm/intent/performance to an activity/situation/circumstance. I don’t think I’ve ever hit a point of flow (self-defense, athletic endeavor, training, challenging activity) while exhibiting conscious thought – only ever in circumstances or scenarios where I have prior and deep knowledge and experience. I believe that those 2 being true is no small coincidence, though I do believe high-level thinking and decision-making, unconsciously, are a byproduct of the state. We do make unconscious or rapidly-processed decisions within the state itself. Ironically, some of the times I’ve “lost” the flow-state was due to over-thinking or prolonged decision-making. Once conscious thought and self-doubt creep in, the state tends to be broken shortly thereafter, at least in my experience.

There’s always a combination of high(er)-stakes, high(er)-stress, and/or high(er)-consciousness scenarios with the knowledge/experience/comfort on managing them present and accounted for. There are already clearly-established methods that contribute to gaining that knowledge/experience/comfort, of course, like activity-specific scenario-training, visualization/hypnosis/self-hypnosis/mantras, meditation, prior experience, breathing/body relaxation methods, even neuro-linguistics, not forgetting current state – and these can all definitely enhance its chances of manifesting itself. (maybe the more in-line, the higher or greater chance of flow?) Can it be called up at will? I think that’s the golden goose everyone is searching for…and some of the elements above can certainly give greater chance of it happening. They seem to have tapped into it in the sports and high-performance arenas already, (motorsports/communication/sports/gaming, for instance) but it’s not quite as prevalent in the SD/MA worlds as of yet, for whatever reason, though I believe that’s changing.

It’s also clearly an internal element driven by external stimuli …it comes from what’s innate/well-conditioned, not by chance. (Some examples above: driving, games, sports, communication….all things that are intrinsically a part of our daily lives and that we’re experienced/comfortable in, yet we still don’t have “flow” every time we do them). If your state/momentary capability doesn’t align with your ability, it ain’t happenin’ as to have “flow” insinuates that the activity is ongoing, has some continuity, and is not a single one-time act (that experience/knowledge thing) – that’s not “being in the zone”.

I’d also be wiling to say that there’s the perception of time distortion that goes along with the state when people discuss this, (“it’s as if time stood still”, “I lost total track of time”, “everything seemed to slow down”) showing that there is extreme focus that causes perceived slow(er)-motion of incoming stimuli. (As an aside, time distortion can also be played with in training through various means. Triggering pressure or tension also needs to be present for it to happen as there has to be a threat/danger/loss element but a talk for another time)

Image result for flow images

Regarding conflict or combat, flow could be present into the areas of the force continuum as well. Flow with communication (saying the right things at-will, de-escalating efficiently, calm & controlled demeanor maintained), environmental/situational awareness (noticing all surrounding stimuli pre-conflict, highly-tuned OODA Loop processing, seamless adaptability to changing situations), flow with noticing pre-incident indicators/PINs (great peripheral vision, attention to details, on top of everything). It could also be physically-controlling your opponent smoothly and with minimal or only sufficiently-needed damage. (if trained or conditioned efficiently and in-line with human physiological capability and evolution, these things should have minimal consciousness as well…or we fight on instinct, fully unconsciously, with what evolution gave us as survival instinct) 

Developing it (or at least increasing its odds) is based on replicating the stimulus as close as is possible to the actuality of the thing…and “replicating” it only applies to the elements that can be prepared for. (It is extremely-difficult to replicate exact physiological response to high-stakes and real momentary stimuli…in training) Visualization/scenario-training/state-replication/past experience all can attempt to fit that bill, as mentioned. Whatever the case, flow states have something in-common: they are all in arenas that utilize both unconscious action (“system 1”, driving a car daily and in regular traffic), and active decision-making from prior effective conditioning (“system 2”, making a sudden decision on avoiding a potential accident) so have a far greater chance of hitting that particular state. Bringing it out at will, pertaining to real violent need? I’m not sure. Yet.

272 thoughts on “ON FLOW”

  187. I realized more something totally new on this fat reduction issue. 1 issue is that good nutrition is vital whenever dieting. An enormous reduction in bad foods, sugary foods, fried foods, sugary foods, pork, and white-colored flour products could be necessary. Holding wastes parasites, and contaminants may prevent desired goals for losing belly fat. While selected drugs for the short term solve the condition, the horrible side effects are not worth it, and they never offer you more than a momentary solution. It is just a known undeniable fact that 95 of dietary fads fail. Many thanks for sharing your ideas on this site.

  189. What i do not realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it?s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!

  190. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this excellent blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  191. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

  192. Thanks for your article. It is extremely unfortunate that over the last one decade, the travel industry has had to fight terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu, swine flu, plus the first ever entire global recession. Through all of it the industry has proven to be robust, resilient along with dynamic, locating new ways to deal with difficulty. There are always fresh challenges and chance to which the marketplace must all over again adapt and behave.

  193. A person essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish extraordinary. Great job!

  194. I will right away grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  195. Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

  197. hello!,I love your writing very a lot! percentage we keep up a correspondence more about your post on AOL? I require an expert in this area to resolve my problem. May be that’s you! Having a look forward to peer you.

  198. I would love to add that if you do not already have an insurance policy or you do not take part in any group insurance, you will well reap the benefits of seeking aid from a health insurance professional. Self-employed or people with medical conditions ordinarily seek the help of any health insurance agent. Thanks for your text.

  199. I loved as much as you will receive carried out proper here. The cartoon is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you would like be turning in the following. in poor health definitely come further before once more as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  200. I figured out more interesting things on this weight reduction issue. One particular issue is that good nutrition is vital any time dieting. A huge reduction in bad foods, sugary food items, fried foods, sugary foods, red meat, and bright flour products may be necessary. Having wastes organisms, and toxins may prevent objectives for fat-loss. While selected drugs for the short term solve the issue, the awful side effects are certainly not worth it, and they also never give more than a short-term solution. This can be a known indisputable fact that 95 of celebrity diets fail. Thank you for sharing your opinions on this website.

  202. Nice post. I study one thing tougher on totally different blogs everyday. It’ll at all times be stimulating to read content material from different writers and follow somewhat something from their store. I?d favor to make use of some with the content material on my weblog whether or not you don?t mind. Natually I?ll offer you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  203. Thank you for every other informative website. Where else may just I get that type of info written in such an ideal means? I have a venture that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such information.

    https://www.portal.letras.ufrj.br/ สล็อตเว็บตรง

  204. Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for first-time blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

  205. Thanks , I have recently been looking for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?

  206. One thing I would like to say is always that before obtaining more computer memory, look into the machine in to which it will be installed. In the event the machine will be running Windows XP, for instance, the memory threshold is 3.25GB. Putting in greater than this would basically constitute a waste. Make sure one’s motherboard can handle the particular upgrade volume, as well. Great blog post.

  207. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.

  211. Terrific paintings! That is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared across the net. Shame on Google for now not positioning this post upper! Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thank you =)

  212. Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand a lot about this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I believe that you simply could do with some percent to drive the message house a little bit, however other than that, that is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

  213. Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!

  214. Thanks for your post. One other thing is when you are selling your property yourself, one of the concerns you need to be alert to upfront is just how to deal with home inspection records. As a FSBO vendor, the key about successfully switching your property plus saving money in real estate agent profits is awareness. The more you already know, the softer your home sales effort are going to be. One area when this is particularly significant is assessments.

  215. Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.

  216. Magnificent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.

  218. I can’t express how much I admire the effort the author has put into writing this outstanding piece of content. The clarity of the writing, the depth of analysis, and the abundance of information presented are simply impressive. Her enthusiasm for the subject is obvious, and it has undoubtedly struck a chord with me. Thank you, author, for offering your knowledge and enlightening our lives with this incredible article!

  219. Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

  222. I think this is among the such a lot important information for me. And i’m happy reading your article. But should commentary on few common things, The website style is great, the articles is in point of fact excellent : D. Excellent task, cheers

  224. I have seen that fees for online degree professionals tend to be a terrific value. For instance a full Bachelors Degree in Communication in the University of Phoenix Online consists of Sixty credits at $515/credit or $30,900. Also American Intercontinental University Online comes with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a complete course feature of 180 units and a tariff of $30,560. Online studying has made obtaining your higher education degree much simpler because you can easily earn your current degree through the comfort of your abode and when you finish from office. Thanks for all the other tips I have certainly learned from your web site.

  225. Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  226. Great web site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  227. Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.

  228. Amazing this is very open with a precise clarification of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing!

  230. What i do not realize is in reality how you are no longer actually a lot more neatly-appreciated than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You know therefore considerably relating to this topic, produced me in my view consider it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women are not interested unless it?s one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs excellent. Always handle it up!

  232. hi!,I love your writing very a lot! percentage we keep in touch more about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to look you.

  236. An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should write more on this matter, it won’t be a taboo topic but usually persons are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  239. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific site.

  240. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It?s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.

  242. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!

  243. This is without a doubt one of the best articles I’ve read on this topic! The author’s extensive knowledge and passion for the subject are evident in every paragraph. I’m so appreciative for finding this piece as it has enhanced my knowledge and sparked my curiosity even further. Thank you, author, for taking the time to create such a outstanding article!

  244. Outstanding post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!

  245. hi!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.

  246. I’d also like to say that most individuals who find themselves without the need of health insurance are usually students, self-employed and those that are without a job. More than half on the uninsured are under the age of Thirty five. They do not feel they are wanting health insurance because they are young as well as healthy. Their particular income is typically spent on real estate, food, in addition to entertainment. Many people that do go to work either entire or as a hobby are not made available insurance through their work so they proceed without with the rising valuation on health insurance in the country. Thanks for the tips you reveal through this web site.

  250. One thing I have actually noticed is that often there are plenty of fallacies regarding the finance institutions intentions while talking about home foreclosure. One myth in particular is always that the bank needs to have your house. The lender wants your hard earned money, not your property. They want the funds they lent you with interest. Steering clear of the bank will still only draw the foreclosed realization. Thanks for your publication.

  256. Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.

  257. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic site!

  259. Somebody essentially assist to make significantly articles I would state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to make this actual submit amazing. Great job!

  260. Thanks for your intriguing article. Other thing is that mesothelioma is generally the result of the inhalation of fibres from asbestos fiber, which is a dangerous material. It truly is commonly found among workers in the construction industry who definitely have long contact with asbestos. It can also be caused by residing in asbestos covered buildings for a long period of time, Your age plays a huge role, and some individuals are more vulnerable for the risk compared to others.

  261. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

  264. Your Blog is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this web site.

  266. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Regards!

  267. Thanks for your write-up on the traveling industry. I’d personally also like to add that if you are a senior contemplating traveling, its absolutely essential that you buy travel cover for golden-agers. When traveling, retirees are at biggest risk of getting a medical emergency. Getting the right insurance package in your age group can look after your health and provide you with peace of mind.

  268. you are really a good webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a wonderful job on this topic!

  269. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I?ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

  271. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *