Flow is defined in Turner's book as the merging of action and awareness, which is the crucial point of enjoyment (254). The unity of these two aspects are necessary for flow. Turner uses specific examples to explain how flow is a continous action that requires no thought. A good example of flow is swinging a tennis racket or throwing a baseball. There is no thought that goes into swinging a tennis racket or throwing a baseball, it is simply the body's muscle memory in work. These actions naturally flow from the body without any extra work being completed by the brain. It is important to understand that even though someone is aware of the action they are completing, such as a tennis or baseball player, they cannot be aware that they are aware. If too much thought is put in, the flow of the action will be ruined. Flow is simply a matter of fucus where one centers his or her attention on a single or limited stimulus field (254).
My question on this topic I guess would be what the spiritual significance of flow is. I understood Turner's explanation of flow being a specific enjoyable state where religious communities who expereience the unity are pure and successful, while others without flow are sinful and unsuccessful. Is this the sole importance of flow involving religion?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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