Flow State: A Cultural and Biological Framework

Mihaly Csiksentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, theorized that cultural and societal methods of achieving happiness have failed and will continue to fail. He proposed “flow theory” as the key to happiness, where flow is defined as “the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it” (Csikszentmihalyi 1990). To achieve flow state, one must work at the mind and body’s full ability to obtain a goal and overcome the challenges to achieve it. According to Csiksentmihalyi, it is up to the individual to take control over their consciousness to achieve optimal experience in life.

Yet from an anthropological lens, an individual cannot be separated from the culture that they exist in. The values and daily practices of an individual are so intrinsically tied to culture. Even the goal and the activity that the individual chooses to enable themself to achieve flow state must be intimately connected with culture.

Another factor that must be considered when seeking to achieve flow state is the biomechanics and physiology of an individual’s body. In a later section of his book, Csiksentmihalyi describes how studies have shown that physical impairment has often improved quality of life by redirecting an individual’s life goals and allowing them to learn to live in a different way. These instances at achieving flow, just as able-bodied instances are, require mental strength and will. With this in mind, how can an individual harness and be aware of the biomechanics and physiology of their own body to achieve flow state? Csiksentmihalyi describes the optimal experience as when “a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile” (Csikszentmihalyi 1990). How can one stretch their body and mind to the best of their ability, taking into account and improving upon individual limitations such as injury, compensation patterns, muscle tightness or weakness, etc? How can one achieve a mind-body connection to experience flow state given their own physical limitations?

The question continually being asked by Csiksentmihalyi and many others is how we can experience flow state more and more in our daily lives. To seek to understand this question more deeply, I ask: To what extent do cultural and biological factors shape the way we achieve and experience flow state in our daily lives? And more specifically, how does the culture of Costa Rica impact how flow is experienced while surfing?

Mostly through the interviews, I came across a few different perspectives on the interactions of flow state and culture / biology.

1) A connection with and care for environment

A large theme throughout the people I interviewed was a deep connection with the land, the ocean, and the animals. Hearing from locals, Costa Rica values sustainability and conservation. Much of the land is protected, and their highest energy source is hydropower. The locals I interviewed explained a deep connection they have with nature, and that this impacts their experience surfing and in flow state. Surfing is a practice of communication and listening to the ocean, and in many cases is a spiritual experience. It was explained as a space in which lessons are learned of patience, acceptance, presence, gratitude, etc. which translate into other aspects of life as well. The ability of getting into the flow state is dependent on environmental factors and the level of connection one may have with the ocean. This level of connection with the environment ties back to Costa Rica's values, and can vary culturally.

2) Locals vs expats vs tourists

I interviewed one expat from Argentina who owns a hostel in Santa Teresa, and here is where I began to understand the dynamics between locals and foreigners and how this impacts the experience in flow and surf. The level of competitiveness and tension in the water varies by place and person, and Santa Teresa is a place where foreigners are not welcomed in the water. There is an unspoken tension and understanding that locals get to catch the best waves, and that it is a closed community and not much camaraderie towards people outside of it. Yet in Sámara, the community is more open and tourists and expats are welcomed and encouraged. These social dynamics impact one's ability to maintain focus or enjoyment in the experience of flow.

3) Physical practices and injury

The people I interviewed focus on and value other physical practices to prepare themselves for surfing, a big one being yoga. They also commented on the impact different injuries have had on their surfing, and how it has hindered them in some ways such as their ability to make sharp turns with a knee injury. To achieve flow state with different injuries in surf, one must compensate, step back, or take additional precautions and practices.

4) Women in the surf community

I interviewed a woman who owns a surf therapy organization in Nosara (Mindful Waves www.mindfulwaves.com), and she provided interesting perspectives that the role of gender plays in surf and flow state. Surf as a sport is very male dominated especially in the regions I was travelling in, and the owner of the organization explained her personal experience feeling unwelcome as a woman in the space. She created a place where surf community between women can be formed while also creating a space for healing and empowerment through mindfulness and therapy.

Flow state is an experience in which I feel boundaries are blurred between self and environment. Especially through surfing, you feel completely in tune with the ocean. Through my independently designed major in Medical Anthropology and my interests in philosophies on the body, this project impacts the way I view psychological concepts and how they can be put into conversation with spirituality, culture, and the body. I can use what I've found for my thesis, in discussions in classes, and in different communities I am a part of here at CC.