51-Reverse the Golden Rule and Flow Part 2

How does flow work? It is both individual and communal. When the experience of individuals within the group dynamic reaches harmonic resonance– think of a choir, flow constructs networks of intuitive communication among participants. And like the choir backing the soloist, at just the right time, flow focuses the singular voice to new heights, built upon the foundation of super-conscious collaboration. A cogent, almost predictable narrative plays out as archetypes become flesh. Within that creative space, flow is where we treat others as others treat us– a perfect circle. This is when we get our groove on.

Examples: think, a King James winning dunk or a tech giant's lucrative product launch; think, stubborn countries or convincing religions figures; think, solving a great mystery or uncovering a relevant, scientific truth; think, social media driven ideologies like cute cats, risky planking, or unhinged conspiracies. Imagine the explosive nature of a determined group of individuals. Consider what follows in their path, both positive and negative. Flow flourishes in an intimate, protective sphere with an expansive foundation of general agreement on key issues. Think, cults and cliques. But also think, families and tribes. 

We flow best with those we know best. We rarely find it with those we rarely compliment. From one moment to the next, those we are confronted with most often effect our flow the most. Failures fail because they lack team-spirit. Like the Golden Rule, flow is proactive; it requires attention, effort, and maintenance. In our scatterbrain society of shallow interest, most people, most of the time, simply do not flow. But who doesn't have some memory of its meaning, its potential? Watching athletes, soldiers, politicians, and celebrities find their flow allows us to vicariously enjoy their moment. Blockbuster movies are the zeitgeist of manufactured flow. We superimpose our personal mythology onto these seductive narratives. It's a kind of residue left in our neural wake, like remembering an idealized version of flow.

Flow is magical, exhilarating, empowering, and limited… our best memories. Flow pulls us, motivates us. But I want to talk about the flip-side of flow. So let's consider what not to do; how to stop the flow when the flow is not right.