Welcome To The Zone / A State Of Flow

Quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

As An octogenarian I am familiar with the following quote: "getting old in not for sissies". For me, the truth of that is evident daily. And, I have become a veteran in the campaign of combatting the illnesses of aging. Here's the paradox! Multiple Sclerosis and my more than 32 years of surviving the ravages of that war, have taught me how to survive these present day physical and emotional stresses. I have learned how to apply the developed skills of 'Mindfulness Meditation' in handling, managing and coping with the debilitating symptoms and handicaps of MS. Meditation taught me about 'being in the zone; in a state of flow'.

Being 'in the zone' is sometimes referred to as a 'state of flow'. In sports you might say it's a balance of the challenge of your skills with complete absorption into an activity. The goals are clear. There is a merging of action, of awareness and of concentration. There is a loss of self-consciousness and a sense of control; a transformation of time and seemingly effortless movement.

The mental 'state of flow' is being completely involved in an activity for it's own sake; where there is no ego; when time flies; where every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one. An example would be, playing jazz. Or - you can experience flow in a variety of sports; or participation in the disciplines of karate, tai chi; or the creative arts like dancing, singing, writing, painting; or any activity where your mind and spirit are completely involved. It can apply to anyone that is totally challenged by physical or mental performance; and, it can apply to anyone confronted by chronic disease and it's limitations and/or handicaps. It requires focused attention; staying in the moment; allowing for higher levels of achievement.

Sonny Rollins***is an 86 year old performer; a jazz saxophonist honored by the Kennedy Center for his musical accomplishments. Some years ago he stated that "meditation has given me balance; moved me forward; made me a more mindful person and this transforms into my music". He reminded us that yoga; this meditative mind/body connection gets him into that 'state of flow'; that it has provided him with the awareness of what is important in life. And - how to live with an aging body.

Steve Kerr,****the day coach of the NBA professional basketball team 'the Golden State Warriors' was taught meditation when he was a player for the Chicago Bulls by his coach George Mumford (whose recent book is 'The Mindful Athlete - Secrets to Pure Performance". His point guard Steven Curry**** stated "I've learned you've got to stay in the moment; then good things happen; because you are just wrapped up in the process".

Pete Carroll,**** the coach of the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks stresses the importance of 'Mindfulness' training for peak performance; permitting the players to go inside themselves, finding the zone. When you're in the zone you develop the grit the confidence, the ability to adjust - on a regular basis. You will be 'in the now'; able to move forward and deflect the intense struggles that surface.

Mary and Jim***** suffer from Parkinson's Disease. Mary's hands shake uncontrollable. Jim has dyskinesia, experiencing uncontrollable movements of upper and lower body. They both complained of not being able to fall asleep at night. Their movement disorders were unrelenting, not allowing them to slip into the arms of 'Morpheus'. They have now acquired the skills of Meditation. And, with discipline and lot of practice they have learned how to get 'into the zone'. They can achieve a 'state of flow'; and when in the moment, will be able to stop the unstoppable; allowing them to fall asleep.

As a teacher of Mindfulness, there is nothing more satisfying than asking your Parkinson's participants (after a meditation) to open their eyes and look at their hands or arms or legs, noting that they are motionless (at rest). What is even more rewarding is my reminder to them that this is a testament to their achievement. They found the zone; they put themselves in a state of flow. When you've done it once, you can do it again and again. And - then you own it.

***excerpted and augmented from an article in AARP by Bob Friedman
****excerpted and augmented articles published in Mindful.Org
*****participants in a program of mindfulness (RBG)