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The Evolving Self Chapter 1 Discussion: The Mind and History | Flow Book Club

Published on: 7th April, 2022

Join us as we continue with our exploration of flow, reading Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow sequel: The Evolving Self: A Psychology for the Third Millennium (1993).

In the introduction, MC points out “...it is difficult to build a happy life by the simple addition of a series of flow experiences. The whole in this case is definitely more than the sum of its parts”. Beyond just a number of flow experiences, what is needed is “…a system of meanings that gives purpose to one’s being”.

MC explains, “Flow ended with the proposition that by understanding better our evolutionary past we might generate the grounds for a viable meaning system, a faith that can give order and purpose to our lives in the future. To know ourselves is the greatest achievement of our species. And to understand ourselves – what we are made of, what motives drive us, and what goals we dream of – involves first of all our evolutionary past. Only on this foundation can we build a stable, meaningful future.” That is the project of this book.

Chapter 1: The Mind and History

At the start of this book, MC begins laying out the argument for his thesis “that becoming an active, conscious part of the evolutionary process is the best way to give meaning to our lives at the present point in time and to enjoy each moment along the way”. We explore the idea of evolution as the selective survival of information. We also delve into the development of self-reflective consciousness.

Topics: “The Perspective of Evolution” “The Global Network” “At the Hinges of the New Millennium” “Chance, Necessity, and Something Else”, “Are We Hopelessly Bad?” “The Good and the Bad” “The Emergence of the Self”


Music:

“Ask Me Why” by Matthew Billman and K. Joia Houheneka


This discussion is done in partnership with the Meetup group 52 Living Ideas.


Join us for more episodes of the Travel Whys podcast as we explore travel, continuous learning, and the psychology of flow.


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About the Podcast

Travel Whys
Travel + Continuous Learning + Flow States
Travel Whys is a travel podcast for growth-hungry entrepreneurs. We explore the deep reasons why people travel - and why, perhaps, everyone ought to adopt a "traveler's spirit" - because we believe travel can be so much more than merely vacation or leisure. Instead, we see travel as an opportunity for growth and transformation, and as an integral part of a flourishing life full of deep meaning and happiness. We're pioneers in exploring travel in combination with the themes of continuous learning and the psychology of flow states.

You'll find multiple different series of episodes in the show. For example, our "A Trip That Changed Me" episodes are an opportunity to explore a destination and listen in to a traveler's story of how their trip provoked a change to their perspective and future direction. In our "Explorer Conversations" episodes, we talk with experts and other guests on cutting-edge issues involving travel, continuous learning and flow states. Lastly, for those who would like to get involved with an interactive experience, we're partnering with 52 Living Ideas for the "Flow Book Club" starting with a chapter-by-chapter exploration of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" See: https://www.meetup.com/52LivingIdeas/

Travel Whys is sponsored by Delve Travel, a new boutique travel agency serving high-ticket entrepreneurs with luxury wellness travel experiences and high-end retreat planning and management services. Find out more at: https://www.delvetravel.com

About your host

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K. Joia Houheneka

"The World's Premier Excellence Coach" - 100X'ing the Greatness of Entrepreneurs Building High-End, Premium, and Luxury Brands | Luxury Travel Advisor | Writer - On a Mission to Elevate Luxury