Completely involved in what you are doing focused, concentrated
A sense of ecstasy - being outside everyday reality
Great inner clarity - knowing what needs to be done and how well we are doing
Knowing that the task is doable our skills are adequate to the task
a sense of serenity - no worries about ones self a feeling of growing beyond the ego boundaries
Timelessness - focus on present hours seem to flow by in minutes
Intrinsic motivation - whatever produces flow it becomes it's own reward
Layard Lectures
“By happiness I mean feeling good enjoying life and feeling it is wonderful. And by unhappiness I mean feeling bad and wishing things were different. “
Research results Most happy to least happy:
Sex, Socializing after work, Dinner, relaxing
.... down to childcare, work, commuting
Money counts up to about $15k/yr (2000)
Synthetic Happiness - Dan Gilbert
1 year after: Lottery or Paraplegic
We Synthesize happiness
Art Prints example
Photo class (reversible decisions decreases happiness)
Brain - Matthieu Ricard
Buddhist monk – Molecular biologists
Well being (target term)
Deep sense of serenity & fulfillment
Maybe while sad?
Breaking negative thought reinforcement
Mind training via meditation
Brain plasticity - research shows mediators are many deviations outside of the curve.