Transcendence and Flow

When you dig beneath the surface of life, you'll encounter the spiritual realm. Spirituality can be found in seemingly mundane tasks like sweeping the floor, playing an instrument, writing, or even taking a breath. The essence of spirituality and meditation revolves around the depth of engagement with the task at hand.

Consider the concept of "deep work." This is the state where you connect with your inner superhero — your highest self. You achieve this when you lose awareness of your surroundings and immerse yourself completely in your work. It’s less about the nature of the task and more about the way you approach it that can elevate your experience into a spiritual one.

Reflecting on my journey as a writer, I remember struggling with self-doubt and setting unattainable standards for myself. However, after a decade of practice, I now write with abandon, allowing my subconscious to guide me. In the realm of creativity, consciousness can often hinder the flow of inspiration.

"When you let your subconscious take charge, you become a spectator to the process of creation."

Every now and then, you might witness a spark of brilliance in your work — a reminder that it was channeled through you, not fabricated by your conscious mind. The secret? Allow the process to unfold without interference. Your role as a creative individual is to establish a system and let the creative energy flow, rather than trying to control it.

Spirituality as a Non-Intrusive Experience

When you are fully absorbed in an activity, your conscious mind takes a backseat. Think of driving a car: at first, you are meticulous about every action — gripping the steering wheel, shifting gears, and managing the pedals. Over time, as you become more skilled, these actions become second nature, allowing your subconscious to take over.

Can you recall the last time you brushed your teeth mindfully? Likely not, because your subconscious knows how to manage these routines. Living a creative life is about setting the creative energy free; you become a conduit for expression.

However, the moment you start to view yourself as the origin of creativity, you create a blockage. Think of it like a clogged pipe; at first, letting the water flow will push out the dirt. Similarly, when you experience initial failures, it's merely the cleansing of your creative medium. Don’t criticize the results; consider it a necessary step towards clarity.

Once the path is clear, you can easily tap into the flow state and embrace the spiritual journey at will. To truly experience spirituality, let go of the notion of being the source and embrace the role of a medium.

Engaging with Spiritual Processes

Imagine a novice musician eager to share his music. Lacking a stage or audience, he decides to perform for an elderly resident in a nearby nursing home. After playing for half an hour, he turns to the old man, who, breathing heavily, whispers, "I hope you get better too."

This story illustrates that spirituality isn’t confined to specific life aspects; every moment holds the potential for spiritual engagement. It's about genuine involvement.

As Swami Vivekananda once said, "You are closer to the Divine in kicking a ball than in prayer." The essence of spirituality lies in your level of involvement rather than the activity itself.

American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi dedicated his life to uncovering what makes life enjoyable and meaningful. His research revealed that a fulfilling life correlates with the frequency of flow experiences one encounters.

His scientific insights can help you cultivate more flow moments in your life. “Any activity can become a spiritual practice when performed with such complete involvement that you lose awareness of yourself.”

When people regularly enter this state of flow, they aren't preoccupied with their self-image. They experience a sense of unity with their activity, often finding that their most cherished moments occur when they are deeply engaged, forgetting their individual concerns.

Whether playing sports, singing passionately, engrossed in a captivating book, or having a meaningful conversation, total involvement transforms these experiences into spiritual ones.

The Journey Beyond Self

Self-forgetfulness is central to spirituality. It is about transcending the illusion of the limited self. This can be achieved by diving deeper into an activity or through meditation, where doing nothing can lead to profound fulfillment.

For many, sitting still without distractions can be challenging, as thoughts tend to wander. Therefore, it’s beneficial to turn every activity into a practice of self-forgetfulness.

For example, as I penned this article, I allowed the words to flow without overthinking or excessive editing.

How do you access your flow state? Until next time, take care!

The first video, Free Community Practice Call - Embodiment As Spiritual and Relational Practice, explores how to engage with your spiritual practice in a community setting, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and connection.

The second video, 5 Steps to Creating a Spiritual Practice in Alignment with your Soul (For Beginners & Advanced), provides practical tips for developing a personal spiritual routine that resonates with your inner self.