flow and creativity mihaly csikszentmihalyi

And that would include religion.“Although the benefits of this study to scholars are obvious, this thought-provoking mixture of scholarly and colloquial will enlighten inquisitive general readers, too.” - Library Journal (starred review) So it’s just things that aren’t totally materialistic. And if you can’t create beauty, at least it’s good to appreciate beauty and get some enjoyment and inspiration out of it. It takes a high degree and a high type of spirituality to want to express things in terms of literature or poetry, plays, architecture, gardens, creating beauty any way. I think that creativity in the arts is very special. I don’t want to give the idea that it’s something mystical I want it to apply to ordinary people’s ordinary lives: things like love, and helpfulness, and tolerance, and enjoyment of the arts or even creativity in the arts. Spirituality, to me, means the nonmaterial things. That’s because we’re such an unspiritual country that we think of it as somewhat corny to talk about spirituality.

But his understanding of spirituality is a far cry from that of institutionalized religions: Spirituality, unfortunately, is not a stylish word.

“Now in his nineties, Spock is writing a book on spirituality. Eventually most of the day should consist of tasks you look forward to, until you feel that getting up in the morning is a privilege, not a chore.”Ĭreativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention The important thing is to take the easy first steps until you master the habit, and then slowly work up to more complex goals. It does not matter if at first the goals are trivial and not that interesting. Then next morning, open your eyes and visualize the chosen event-play it out briefly in your mind, like an inner videotape, until you can hardly wait to get dressed and get going. It is easier if each night before falling asleep, you review the next day and choose a particular task that, compared to the rest of the day, should be relatively interesting and exciting. It could be meeting a certain person, shopping for a special item, potting a plant, cleaning the office desk, writing a letter, trying on a new dress. Yet everyone can discover at least one thing every day that is worth waking up for. Most of us don’t feel our actions are that meaningful. But they believe that there is something meaningful to accomplish each day, and they can’t wait to get started on it. Nor do they necessarily have something exciting to do. This is not because they are cheerful, enthusiastic types. Creative individuals don’t have to be dragged out of bed they are eager to start the day. “Wake up in the morning with a specific goal to look forward to.

Flow and creativity mihaly csikszentmihalyi