This book by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a result of a decade long research on human experience on joy, creativity, and total involvement with life. 

Research found that the most enjoyable moments in life are felt, when our attention, both physical and mental, focused on task which challenged our skills. While the task is being done, the person loses track of time and his ego disappears and then at the end he comes out with a better self. This condition is called “flow”.  

The flow activities are different from pleasure activities such as rest, food,sex, and travel. Pleasure activities restore you but do not produce psychological growth.

Our consciousness is always influenced by genetic programming (instincts) and social conditioning ( Marriage, Jobs etc.)

When we are idle, our brains go on a default mode of pondering on the most negative experience that occurred recently (genetic programming or fight or flight instinct). This causes fatigue/ brain entropy.

To avoid this default mode of brain we need to keep the our brain/psyche in “flow” condition.

Elements of flow:

1: We need to engage in a challenging activity that requires skill (if the activity is too hard it creates anxiety , if task is too easy it easily leads to boredom).

2: Attention or concentration of a person should be completely absorbed with an activity at hand. There should never be a chance for the mind to wander. A person should feel a loss of self consciousness. This will allow one to forget all unpleasant aspects of life.

3: A task should have clear goals and feedback. They will allow the person to stay on course with full focus.

4: A sense of control should exist for the person.

5: Loss of time sense occurs when we are in “flow”. Hours seem to pass as minutes.

6: The key for optimal experiences is an activity that is so intrinsically rewarding people should be able to do it for no external rewards. Once the task is completed self growth happens.

A person can also transform his activities like music, tasting food,work, games, relationships, and thoughts into flow activities by incorporating above conditions. 

While moving from a flow activity, others will keep us joyful on daily basis, connecting these activities to an ultimate meaningful goal is most important. This to will make our life “purpose driven life”.

Books also acknowledges that elements of Hatayoga from India has incorporated “flow” conditions (Yama, Niyama, Pranayama ,Pratayahara, Dyana, Dharana, and Samadhi).

In my opinion, this book is extremely useful for modern times to achieve a joyful, meaningful life and using external tasks to keep us focused. It does not include any internal changes such as awareness of thoughts, gratitude, forgiveness or, the thought of loving kindness for happiness.

4 out of 5 stars ⭐️