The description matches the experience well, but I disagree about the need to slightly exceed the capabilities. That kind of focusing allows me to work very well, but I can hyper-focus (the term I am used to) on something simple as well. I do not feel guided either. I am one with what I am doing and there is nothing else. All senses not involved are silent. It is a similar dedication like having fallen in love. Eating and sleeping are indeed insignificant. The most amusing, yet true, description I heard was `I go to the toilet when it feels like one minute longer and I will die'. There is nothing better really - unless despite all efforts things just do not work. Then it is horrible.
Psychologists draw a distinction between "Hyper Focus" and "Flow State", and they cite video games as an example. When a kid is super into a game, he is completely Hyper Focused, yet not in the Flow State. Same goes for ADHD and stuff like that.
However, the Flow State does invlove Hyper Focus, like you mention, but the key is when you feel "one with what you are doing", with other senses silent. Then, you're probably in the Flow State!
Reading your article again, I wonder how close it is to "We become mindful by abandoning our expectations about the way we think things should be and, out of our mindfulness, we begin to develop awareness about the way things really are." That is the goal of meditation in Buddhism. It wouldn't be the first time I see parallels between Buddhism and modern psychology.
The description matches the experience well, but I disagree about the need to slightly exceed the capabilities. That kind of focusing allows me to work very well, but I can hyper-focus (the term I am used to) on something simple as well. I do not feel guided either. I am one with what I am doing and there is nothing else. All senses not involved are silent. It is a similar dedication like having fallen in love. Eating and sleeping are indeed insignificant. The most amusing, yet true, description I heard was `I go to the toilet when it feels like one minute longer and I will die'. There is nothing better really - unless despite all efforts things just do not work. Then it is horrible.
Psychologists draw a distinction between "Hyper Focus" and "Flow State", and they cite video games as an example. When a kid is super into a game, he is completely Hyper Focused, yet not in the Flow State. Same goes for ADHD and stuff like that.
However, the Flow State does invlove Hyper Focus, like you mention, but the key is when you feel "one with what you are doing", with other senses silent. Then, you're probably in the Flow State!
Cheers
Reading your article again, I wonder how close it is to "We become mindful by abandoning our expectations about the way we think things should be and, out of our mindfulness, we begin to develop awareness about the way things really are." That is the goal of meditation in Buddhism. It wouldn't be the first time I see parallels between Buddhism and modern psychology.