#Flow State

Trade Self-Improvement for a More Absorbing Life

Once self-improvement becomes the central task, it can start to crowd out the very experiences that make someone wiser, kinder, or more grounded. The paradox is that constant self-monitoring encourages a self-centered attention: you’re always asking how you’re doing, how you’re perceived, and what needs fixing next. Burkeman’s suggestion implies a shift from self-surveillance to outward engagement. In practice, absorption often makes people more tolerable, generous, and resilient—not because they chased virtue directly, but because they became less preoccupied with personal standing and more involved in real commitments and relationships. [...]

The Soul’s Immersion and the World’s Response

Building upon this perspective, Rumi’s quote suggests that the world itself takes its cue from the soul’s intensity. When a person is truly engaged—be it in art, work, or love—the external world appears to harmonize with that focus, altering its rhythm to match the individual’s drive. This interplay echoes throughout Rumi’s poetry, such as in his *Masnavi*, where passion for the divine draws forth miracles from the mundane. [...]

Your Happiest Moments Are Those When You Are in the Zone, Creating — Tobi Kahn

This quote highlights the happiness individuals feel when they enter a state of flow—being fully immersed and focused on a creative task, where time seems to slip away and only the act of creating matters. [...]

The More I Want to Get Something Done, the Less I Call It Work - Richard Bach

Richard Bach, the author of 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull,' is known for his spiritual and philosophical writings. This quote reflects his belief in the importance of aligning one's work with personal fulfillment and higher purpose. [...]

Inspiration Is Some Mysterious Blessing That Happens When the Wheels Are Turning — Elia Kazan

In this quote, Kazan also implies that pushing yourself through work, even when inspiration is lacking, can eventually unlock creativity. The act of 'turning the wheels'—or persisting through effort—leads to moments of breakthrough and inspiration. [...]