Finding Flow Csikszentmihaly Summary

In “Finding Flow” Mihaly Csikszentmihaly explains how when people (the entire body) become fully focused (absorbed) in an experience, they (a person) become harmonious (at peace) with their life. Csikszentmihaly starts of by stating that people must find the experience themselves and that no one can find it for them. Csikszentmihaly describes how people can only have fulfillment in their lives if they have had this experience. Therefore, the richest businessman in world may not be as happy as a poor factory worker. Csikszentmihaly asserts that a person can be focused on a job, but his conscious might not be. If the conscious is not fully absorbed into the event, then this person is not feeling the true potential of this experience. To have …show more content…
(bottom of 433). The flow experiences don’t occur when a person is happy, because happiness can only distract a person. Flow experiences happens when someone is in an intense challenge that they know they can overcome. The happiness comes afterword when a person can look back at the event with the idea that they did well in the event and felt that they learned something. However, Csikszentmihaly states that happiness can occur without flow. Happiness can happen when a person is in a relationship or with their family. However, these moments are susceptible to circumstances you can’t control, then happiness can disappear. Meanwhile, with moments of flow a person has complete control of the situation. Therefore, a person can look back with gratitude of what they learned. Csikszentmihaly describes a chart that shows an octagon of different emotions a person might feel doing a challenge. The list includes arousal, worry, anxiety, apathy, boredom, relaxation, control, and flow. the chart shows anxiety, worry, apathy, boredom and relaxation on the low challenges list. Meanwhile on the high challenges, there is arousal, control, and