
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
[American] Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
CITIC Press
2017-11-01
BackSummary
"Flow" refers to the state of being fully focused and immersed in something when we are doing it. In this state, you don't even feel the existence of time. After the task is completed, we will feel full of energy and very satisfied.
Highlights
Regarding the book "Flow", I have selected the following wonderful sentences or paragraphs. Some of these sentences or paragraphs are profound, some have unique perspectives, some have beautiful language, some are full of wisdom, and some are creative. I hope they can help readers better understand the book. 1. "Flow" refers to a state in which a person is completely immersed in a certain activity and ignores the existence of other things. This experience itself brings great joy and makes people willing to pay a huge price. ** Comment: This sentence defines the concept of "flow" and points out that the strong sense of pleasure it brings is the driving force for people to pursue the flow experience. 2. The best experience is created by ourselves. ** Comment: It emphasizes the subjective initiative of individuals in creating the best experience. 3. Mihaly makes us understand that happiness is not a vassal of life, but an attempt and result of striving for the best experience. ** Comment: The unique insights into happiness closely link happiness with the flow experience. 4. Work can bring us flow, and it is often the most challenging and difficult work. ** Comment: It highlights the importance of work in the flow experience, especially those challenging jobs. 5. Our perception of ourselves and the happiness we get from life are ultimately directly determined by how the mind filters and interprets daily experiences. ** Comment: Emphasizes the key role of the mind's interpretation of daily experiences in shaping self-perception. 6. The more often we can find flow experiences, the stronger our sense of happiness will be, because those pleasures that can bring profound satisfaction will continue to expand our self-boundaries. ** Comment: Explains the positive correlation between flow experience and happiness, and the role of flow experience in promoting self-growth. 7. Only when the information received by the mind is consistent with the established goals can spiritual energy fill the heart. ** Comment: Points out one of the conditions for the generation of flow, that is, the fit between information and goals. 8. A person who knows how to find flow in life can still find fun even in a completely desperate situation. ** Comment: Emphasizes the important role of flow in adversity, and reflects the optimism and tenacity of flow experiencers. 9. The true self cannot exist without the body. ** Comment: A deep understanding of the relationship between body and mind emphasizes the importance of the body in self-identity. 10. We desire flow because it can bring us the joy of growth and creation. ** Comment: It reveals the deep motivation of people to pursue flow experience, that is, the joy of growth and creation. 11. A person can do many things with great enthusiasm, but the reason why flow experience can reach the extreme of happiness is that it satisfies our desire for challenges and skills at the same time. ** Comment: It explains the reason why flow experience is the ultimate of happiness, that is, the balance between challenges and skills. 12. People with orderly consciousness do not need to be afraid of unexpected things. ** Comment: It reflects the control and confidence of flow experiencers in order, as well as their calmness in the face of the unknown. 13. Fun has the characteristics of forward development and contains freshness and a sense of accomplishment. ** Comment: A unique insight into fun, linking it with development and a sense of accomplishment. 14. The opposite of mental entropy is optimal experience. When it appears, the mind can operate in an orderly and harmonious manner, and people's mental energy (attention) is always focused on one place, so there is no need to consume extra mental energy. ** Comment: By negating spiritual entropy, the characteristics of optimal experience are defined, namely, harmony, order and high efficiency of the mind. 15. ** When a self-goal experience appears, a person can devote all his attention to achieve the goal; when there is no self-goal experience, he will lose his mind and let chance control his actions. ** Comment: By comparing the different performances of the experience of having a goal and the experience of not having a goal, the importance of the goal in the flow experience is highlighted. 16. ** Only by not caring about good or bad, devoting oneself to the process, and treating the process as a goal, can the mind draw endless power. ** Comment: Emphasizes the importance of devoting oneself to the process, and the nourishment of this attitude to the power of the mind. 17. ** If a person can fully master consciousness and create flow experience as much as possible, the quality of life will inevitably improve. ** Comment: Points out the key role of mastering consciousness and creating flow experience in improving the quality of life. 18. ** The optimal experience is a behavior inspired by internal motivation and completely controlled by the person concerned. ** Comment: Emphasizes the internal drive and self-control of the optimal experience. 19. In the flow state, we are the masters of our spiritual energy. No matter how harsh the external environment is, we can feel happy. ** Comment: This reflects the control of the flow experiencer over spiritual energy and the ability to maintain happiness in adversity. 20. The process of pursuing flow is the process of pursuing happiness and the process of life moving towards abundance. ** Comment: Equating the process of pursuing flow with the process of pursuing happiness and life growth reveals the profound significance of the flow experience.
About the Author
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a famous American psychologist who is known for his groundbreaking psychological research and contributions to the theory of flow.< This article will introduce this outstanding psychologist to readers from the aspects of personal basic information, education and professional background, writing career, work style and theme, personal life, social influence, citations and evaluations, and latest developments.
Basic information: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi was born in Italy on September 29, 1934, and is a Hungarian American.< He has extensive research and practical experience in the field of psychology and is known as the "Father of Flow".
Education and professional background: Csikszentmihalyi began his academic career at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and obtained degrees in psychology and philosophy.< Later, he went to the United States and obtained a master's degree in psychology from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Harvard University.
During his career, Csikszentmihalyi has held faculty positions at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and has achieved remarkable academic achievements at various stages.
Writing Career: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's writing career began in the 1970s, and his works cover a wide range of fields, including psychology, creativity, and happiness.
His first book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, was published in 1990 and became a classic in the field of psychology.
Since then, he has published many books, such as Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention.
Style and Themes of Works: Csikszentmihalyi's works are easy to understand, with both rigorous academic research and vivid case analysis.< The topics he focuses on are mainly focused on flow theory, creativity, and happiness.
Flow theory is his core idea, which refers to a highly focused, fulfilling, and enjoyable psychological state that people experience when they are fully engaged in an activity.
Personal Life: There is relatively little public information about Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's personal life.< However, it can be seen from his writings and interviews that he has always been passionate about psychology research and is committed to spreading psychological knowledge to a wider audience.
Social Impact: Csikszentmihalyi's flow theory has had a profound impact on psychology, education, management and other fields.< Many authoritative media and experts have highly praised his contributions.
For example, the New York Times once described him as "one of the most influential psychologists of our time.
" Citations and Comments: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's research results have been widely recognized.< The book "Flow" was named one of the "20 most influential psychology books of the 20th century" by Psychology Today.
In addition, he has received many honors and awards, such as the Outstanding Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association (APA).
Latest News: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi died on October 20, 2021 at the age of 87.< Although he has passed away, his flow theory and other psychological research results will continue to influence future researchers and practitioners.