Happiness is not a fixed state. However, it is possible to develop it as one learns to accomplish flow in his or her lives. It rarely depends on the external events. It only depends on how we interpret them . The main feature to flow is control. We are able to exercise control over our consciousness’ contents rather than let ourselves to be determined passively by external forces within the state of flow. There are a number of elements that are involved in the process of achieving flow . These include clear goals, instant response to the actions of an individual, a balance between the skill and challenges, merged awareness and action, lack of worry over the possibility of failure, disappearance of self-consciousness, distortion of the sense of time, and activities that transform to an end. These qualities indicate that the state of flow is not characterized primarily by feelings that are subjective. Therefore, the essence of flow is the elimination of the thinking mind’s interference . It is apparent that absorption in a task is an indication of the nonexistence of the self, and a merging of one’s awareness into an activity that they are engaged in . An individual is able to be happy regardless of what takes place externally through changing their consciousness’ contents. There are so many people who have been able to transform hopeless moments into challenges through the power of their personalities.
In conclusion, happiness arises from within oneself. Apparently, human beings have attempted to find happiness in vain. This is because they assign power to issues which are beyond their control. If one is tormented by external issues, it is their own judgment of these issues that disturb them and not the issues on their own. However, it is within their power to eliminate that power. It is clear that the key to happiness is based on how one invests his or her psychic energy. If one focuses his or her attention on a goal that is consciously chosen, then his or her psychic energy flows literally in the goal’s direction, therefore, resulting in harmony and re-ordering within consciousness.
Works Cited
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. "Bringing theb science of happiness to life." 2 May 2013. Pursuit of Happiness. 2 May 2013 <http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of- happiness/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/>.
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. "Flow: The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness,." 1 August 2002. amazon. 1 August 2002 <http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Classic-Achieve- Happiness- Introduction/dp/0712657592>.
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. "FLOW: The Psychology of Optimal Experience." (2010): 1-6.
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. "The Secrets of happiness." The Times (2005): 1-2.
Flow, the secret to happiness. Dir. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. 2013. http://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow.html
Hickey, Lance P. "Flow Experiences: The Secret to Ultimate Happiness? ." 22 January 2011. Huffingtonpost. 11 January 2011 <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lance-p-hickey- phd/flow-experiences-happiness_b_811682.html>.
