Diving down through 30 meters of water on a single breath felt effortless — I was utterly immersed in the moment.
The instructor described freediving as a journey outside of time, and in that instant, it certainly felt that way. I was in “flow.”
Mihály Csíkszentmihályi (2009) described these and other immersive flow states as “optimal experiences,” capturing the very essence of flow and offering a potential path to meaningful happiness.
Such a sense of deep engagement and connection with ourselves and our environment is not just present in sports. It can be found or built into all aspects of our lives, from the workplace and education to our relationships (Csíkszentmihályi, 2016).
This article explores the work of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, touted as the father of flow, his contribution to our understanding of flow, and its potential to build flourishing lives.
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