Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the first lecture of our new course in Positive Psychology. While some people may associate psychology with looking at what's wrong with us, and at what problems we have, there is much more to psychology than that. Positive psychology, for example, looks at how to help people become happier.
This lecture begins with a question: what makes a happy life?
Now, I'm going to give you one possible answer. A happy life is a life in which you are completely absorbed in what you do. Now, how does this compare with what you and your partner said?
This answer comes from the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and the theory of flow. Csikszentmihalyi is a psychologist who has spent much of his professional life on the study of what makes people happy and how we can find happiness.
Csikszentmihalyi suggests the theory that happiness is not caused by external events or things that happen to us. Our perception of these things and how we see these events either makes us happy or sad. In other words, if we want happiness, we have to actively look for it. However, this does not mean that we should always look for happiness! Csikszentmihalyi believed that our happiest moments happen when we are in a state of flow.
The theory of flow can be summarised like this: when we are totally involved in, or focused on, what we are doing, we are in a state of flow.
Csikszentmihalyi got the inspiration for this theory when he noticed how artists worked in a studio. They completely lost track of time, they didn't notice they were hungry or tired, and they could work for hours, even days, without stopping. Anyone I have spoken to who has experienced this state of concentration has said it's difficult to explain. The best way to explain it is that it is like being in a river and the flow of the water carries you away.
For the rest of this lecture, I will explore this theory of flow in more detail. First we will look at Csikszentmihalyi's life, and how it influenced his ideas. Then we will look at the conditions that go with a state of flow. What creates flow, exactly? Finally, we will look at activities that can help us achieve flow in our everyday lives. Will this course make you happy for life? Well, maybe. Maybe.
Right, let's get started. If you look at the next slide …
Yes, I have been in a state of flow when I'm painting. I discovered this hobby when I was in high school, and since then, I usually paint whenever I can. When I'm painting, I feel relaxed, and I can't stop until I see my finished painting.
Have you ever been in a 'state of flow' while doing an activity?
Yes, I have been in a state of flow when I'm at the gym exercising, or when I am playing soccer with friends. I also experience it while watching a movie. I'm totally involved and focused on what I am doing.
Indeed, happiness is something you do completely absorb and can't stop. I am in a state of flow playing pickball every time. I feel happy and enjoyable. When I have a sunshine bath and walk in the park to experience nature, I either feel like I am in a state of flow.
ABSOLUTELY I HAVE Flow of state SO I WITHOUT IN SOMETHINGS USEFULLY AS WENT TO THE GYM OR PLAYING MY FAVORITE GAMES.
One of the situations that puts me in a state of flow is when I am studying,I didn't track the time or feeling hungry or thirsty
Have you ever been in a 'state of flow' while doing an activity?
Yes, I do, I really like when I practice TaekWonDo, it is my favourite sport, it is a martial art to, and for me it is a way to build character, calmness, spirituality and respect for the enviroment and the people around you. So when I practice, I can concentrate on that, when I get involved on this, I foget about hunger, thirst, worries, sadness, anger, etc. When I practice It's a moment when I feel really happy.
Yes, i have been in ''state of flow'' while reading, cooking, and listening to my favorite podcasts.
I am very interested in how a psychologist is interested in finding an answer to life and what happiness is. When they look for something, the answer can convince you and help several people.
Have you ever been in a 'state of flow' while doing an activity?
Yes, I have experienced a state of flow while working on a challenging university assignment. Time seemed to fly by as I was deeply engrossed in researching and writing my paper. It was an incredibly productive and satisfying experience.
Have you ever been in a 'state of flow' while doing an activity?
I have mainly two regular situations in which I'm in " a state of flow". Firstly, in the daily rides, I like to meditate on seeing the planet moving around me, starting from the cars, and walking people to the signal lights. Secondly, while I'm cooking I go deep in the flow in a picture of talking with myself and explaining the recipe to someone else! I love being focused, concentrating and forgetting everything else, I feel happy to do what I'm doing completely with my soul.