“What is one thing you know your highest self would be doing in this moment, in this day, in this lifetime. What is the one thing that you just know you could be doing to live a more extraordinary life.” – Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson, of Philosopher’s notes, continues to impress with his quick, detailed reviews of the world’s most influential, life changing books. Today’s book is “Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Mihaly dedicated his life to studying what he calls, “Flow” and how people can achieve that state.

Mihaly says that flow is the state of being totally engaged, the feeling many people describe when they are so engaged that they feel as if no time has passed and hours have elapsed. The feeling when you are completely in the moment, totally focused on the activity you are doing, and ultimately in a state of complete “flow”.

The subtitle to flow is, “The Psychology of Optimal Experience,” so basically this somewhat intangible idea of living in a state of flow is something that Mihaly has studied using science. Having watched a video from Mihaly I find it fascinating that a man could dedicate his life to studying how people can live in the most fulfilling, relaxing, clear state possible. It just goes to show anything is possible.

Check out some of my favorite quotes from this video below:

“”A person can make himself happy or miserable regardless of what is actually happening outside, just by changing the contents of consciousness… To develop this trait, one must find ways to order consciousness so as to be in control of feeling and thoughts. It is best not to expect short cuts will do the trick.” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

“It is not enough to know how to do it, one must do it. Consistently. In the same way as athletes or musicians must keep practicing what they know in theory.” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

“Theory is rudimentary spiritual practice. They actual practice of what we know to be true, that’s advanced spiritual practice.” – Reverend Michael Beckwith

“What is one thing you know your highest self would be doing in this moment, in this day, in this lifetime. What is the one thing that you just know you could be doing to live a more extraordinary life.” – Brian Johnson

Tell us about a time when you were in flow in the comments below!