Who Was Mihály Csíkszentmihályi?
Mihály Csíkszentmihályi died in 2021, aged 87. The world lost a great researcher, thinker, and early proponent of positive psychology (Risen, 2021).
The Hungarian American psychologist is widely regarded as someone who profoundly impacted our understanding of creativity and focus and is often referred to as the father of flow (Risen, 2021).
Csíkszentmihályi’s (2009, p. 2) early research led him to the conclusion that “happiness is not something that happens,” nor is it simply the result of “good fortune or random chance.” Instead, we can prepare for and cultivate it by taking control of our inner experiences, shaping the quality of our lives (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).
Csíkszentmihályi argued that when people enjoy what they are doing — feeling fully engaged and immersed in their activity — they experience states of existence beyond the ordinary. Happiness then is closely linked to “taking control over the contents of our consciousness” and a complete absorption in the task at hand (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009, p. 2).
To explore and explain such optimal experiences arising from how we perceive situations and events in our lives, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi introduced the term “flow.” It describes moments when our consciousness intensifies, our self-consciousness disappears, and we perform at our best (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009, 2016).
Early Life & Academic Journey
Mihály Csíkszentmihályi was born in Fiume, Italy (now Rijeka, Croatia), in 1934 to Hungarian parents, diplomat Alfred Csíkszentmihályi and homemaker Edith Jankovich de Jeszenicze, who later worked for the United Nations (Risen, 2021).
Alfred later helped Hungarian Jews escape his home country during the Second World War before the family fled to Italy when communists took over the Hungarian government in 1947 (Risen, 2021).
Mihály decided to study psychology after attending a lecture by Carl Jung. Later, having moved to the United States, he studied at the University of Chicago to achieve his bachelor’s degree in 1960 and doctorate in 1965 (Risen, 2021).
While Csíkszentmihályi and colleagues were researching the creative process in the late 1960s, they noticed that when artists’ (painters in particular) projects were going well, they ignored everything else, often at significant personal cost. They persisted despite hunger, discomfort, and tiredness, but only until the work was complete (Snyder & Lopez, 2011).
These observations steered his focus toward understanding what makes activities intrinsically rewarding and laid the groundwork for his flow research and theory. Such autotelic activities, as they came to be known, are fundamental to the conditions that foster flow (Snyder & Lopez, 2011).
What our readers think
Wow. I am an avid equestrian (horse crazy girl grew up, still a horse nut) and now I “understand” what that feeling is called….that perfect “one-ness” and harmony, peace, and “zone” I get when in sync and truly connected, with a horse, mostly happens riding but it could be in training, too. Ive been riding/training most of my 34 years. It is defintley “what I do best” and now it makes sense, why!
Although I will add, I was a hairdresser for 12 years and, when not in a conversation.! (lol) I experienced it cutting hair, as well, for sure. Very cool!!
I also am a creative for sure, and I do get lost painting, but it’s not as “effortless” and quite as euphoric as when Riding. .
Awesome article. Thanks!
Another thing to mention is that psychedelics also down regulate the frontal cortex, just as the flow state does. This hypothesis is probably quite an accurate assessment of what is going on in the mind during the flow state and the psychedelic experience, and the two different experiences really are essentially the same mind state.
I believe that far more research should be done analysing the effect of psychedelic compounds relating to this mind state. The Flow state and the psychedelic experience are so close to each other, and almost feel like being under the influence without having taken a psychedelic. Additionally, from my perspective, taking a psychedelic comes as naturally as breathing, without any of the possible disturbances associated with the experience in “non-flowing” people, such as a bad trip etc. I believe I could do most tasks under the influence of a psychedelic, as easily as when sober (common sense required here obviously, nothing dangerous). I’m not suggesting anybody uninitiated should take a psychedelic expecting to experience flow, as I believe people with this natural mind state are wired differently, and the results will be different for “normal” non flowing people. Under safe supervision however, it may help increase their flow abilities. A “psychedelic school” would be a great thing to see in the future. I know this sounds controversial at the moment, and I understand why as most non flowing people simple don’t experience this mind state on a day to day basis, but trust me when I say to people like me it’s perfectly normal and manageable.
Hey, I am a student and currently prepping to start my first project on just this – the main psychedelic of interest being DMT. I will be exploring “Flow State at Festivals: Does DMT Use Facilitate the Festival Flow Experience?”. Your comment has been uplifting for me, as with very little research on psychedelics and flow I was starting to fear my thoughts were a little out there! I would love to hear your thoughts on my topic of choice and any of your experiences if you are willing to share?
Are introverts excluded from ‘Flow’…?
“Students rated flow more enjoyable when in a team rather than when alone.”
“Students found it more joyful if able to talk to one another. ”
“Being in an interdependent group is more enjoyable than one that is not.”
“If you want to get more enjoyment out of flow, try engaging… together.”
Well yes if you’re an extrovert. In contrast, all of the above are anathema to introverts. I’d suggest that introverts – being creatures of their minds and consciousnesses – are more adept at achieving flow states than anyone.
I read the paper cited (Walker 2010) and, while people might find the activities mentioned fun, I wouldn’t count them as representing flow. One was golf – hardly a good example of not having time to think of anything else. The experimental activities involved hitting a ball, either against a wall, or to each other, which don’t seem to reflect the utilization of skills involved in flow
This is fascinating to me, I now have a better understanding of the state I feel when I create my art. Nothing else matters and it’s bliss.