Rating: 
Summary: It made a big difference for me
Review: This seems to be the kind of book that either you love or you hate. I loved it. This is why:It made sense to me. It helped me understand things about myself that I didn't realize, and it made a difference. Why do I sit and watch TV when I hate TV and there are a thousand better things to do? Why do I choose an activity knowing at the time I will regret it later (such as reading a not-great book I've already read, instead of going for a walk or reading one of the great, challenging books on my shelf I haven't read)? Why do I have so much trouble starting a project I'm really excited about? Why when I'm doing a routine task like laundry do I start obsessing about past conversations and what I should have said? I thought it was a character issue - I just don't have enough willpower. What I understood from this book, the mind needs structure for keeping pyschic order (This is the interepretation that made a difference to me - it may not be a scientifically rigorous representation of his work). There are two kinds of structure - low level, meaning low challenge and low use of skills. It doesn't take any psychic energy to get there, but it doesn't provide much growth either. Examples are watching TV, reading predictable, unchallenging books, redundant social chatter, etc. Higher level structure means higher challenges and higher use of skills. Examples playing tennis, brain surgery, model building, drag racing, challenging, thinking conversations or books, basketball, pretty much any work or hobby you enjoy. It takes some energy or effort to get started, but you get so much more out of it, and generally feel better afterward. With no structure, the mind tends to wander and get caught by problems or concerns. In moments throughout the day, having this distinction had made a difference. Knowing that the pull to do something mindless and easy is not a character issue, but the mind's need for order, I find myself choosing more challenging activities sometimes. I'm not sure I've experienced what he calls flow, but I know I feel better if I put forth the energy to do a jigsaw puzzle rather than watch TV, or take a walk rather than eat a pint of ice cream, or work on my writing instead of reading a book. I found the follow-up book, "Finding Flow", less satisfying because it was less dense and more chatty, and it was mostly a repeat of "Flow". If you are interested in the ideas but want something less scientific and easier to read, you might start with that.
Rating:
Summary: Don't waste so many precious moments!
Review: Flow (optimal experience) is something we all strive for and this book provides many chapters designed to help us recognize it. The key to this excellent self-help book is that it helps us understand our inner self first prior to providing cheesy solutions. Just like the 12 step AA program you first have to admit something and recognize it, only then are you ready for change. After reading this book, it was easy to admit that I am not in an optimal state all the time, when perhaps I could have been. "Hello, my name is Loopy and I'm not experiencing life in an optimal manner" Ok, let's get serious. In this time of hostilities it is more important than ever to recognize why humans try so hard to conquer the outer world. Mihaly concentrates entirely on how to achieve flow, therefore prescribing proven techniqes to control your state of mind (inner world) and improving the quality of your life. Flow is simply immersing yourself in an activity to the point of losing sense of time. That activity can't be too hard or too easy, just enough so that you instinctively know that you are learning and expanding. Learning to effortlessly drive a golf ball, play guitar, converse, dance and work can all provide the state of Flow. Mihaly starts the book off with an interesting general visit to the happiness subject and asks all the right questions. He presents a strong argument focusing on how humans throughout history have focused on how health, beauty, money and power will be our shining knights, yet we only have to look inside ourselves and stretch ourselves to experience precious moments. That perfect golf swing. Writing a great review. Cooking a great meal. It's just too easy in our society to flick channels and grab a greasy burger. You have to create optimal moments. In the chapter discussing consciousness he tackles a tricky subject by first admitting it is a complex subject, but offers some interesting explanations. Consciousness can be "intentionally ordered information". Our conscious actively shapes events for us providing a sum of all we have heard, seen, felt, hope and suffered. He is one of the only authors that I stuck with, on this complex subject. I have a clearer understanding as to why I do things. This is an important step to changing my ways. Mihaly also looks at optimal experiences in our culture, thus looking at the bigger picture. His insight in how the industrial Revolution actually shortened some lifespans and put children at work very early is a great example how our behavior evolved innocently until it was too late. Even today we are working longer hours with modern technology. Is our present culture in the optimal state? I don't think so. The book also looks at developing Flow through the body (yoga) and senses, with examples of the joy of seeing and hearing (music). The subject of Flow and work is well presented as he provides examples of how people have found optimal experiences in mundane jobs. The family is also discussed and it is easy to understand how we become dull with our family, neglecting to input energy and time. Mihaly is one of those authors that truly cares for the human race and makes an effort to solve some very complex questions with a common sense approach. Now I want get out there and seize the day.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT Presentation of Flow. Among the BEST!
Review: One of the best books on FLOW, that state of pure focus where deep satisfaction and power are found. It was great to read this book and logically helpful. The only drawback is not enough information about how to make it happen more in my life. The book "EFFORTLESS WELLBEING" by Evan Finer will take you there. Exceptional books. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, Very HELPFUL, LIFE CHANGING!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Intro to Flow
Review: With the concept of happiness being a distraction from Flow Csikszentimihalyi sets up a myriad of powerful arguments all revealing his more philosophical side towards the end. 80% of adults say they would work if they had enough money not to. The problem that exists is these same people can't wait to get home from their jobs.. even though they said they would work if money weren't an issue..? It's not supposed to make sense because it doesn't, these people are working for far off rewards and not enjoying their task at hand. By age 12 the American child associates only negative things with anything labeled as work. The view of work needs to be changed. This book does just that. Working only for distant rewards will lead to regret and eventual disappointment. It is by learning how to enjoy any task can one get the most enjoyment out of life. Concepts are introduced that are really cool, and I'm not just talking about the "oh that's cool" cool I'm talking about the "holy sh*t, are you serious?" cool. A lot of wisdom in the book, give it a shot.
Rating: 
Summary: Misses the point
Review: He recommends that rather than finding happiness through the perspective of a worldview, religion, or philosophy, its better to immerse yourself in activity. This seems like the worst possible advise to someone who's truly seeking happiness. What happens when something causes someone to temporarily or permanently stop their "flow" activity? Say an athlete has a paralyzing car accident. He then has no hope of happiness? The author glosses over the influence of religion and worldview much too quickly. At the very least these things give a sense of perspective and clarity. At the most they give an overwhelming source of joy and purpose, and the prospect of eternal hope. Immersing ones self in activity, no matter how temporarily rewarding, is only delaying the inevitable unhappiness, if that's the state of your soul. I don't deny the benefit of having a job or career you love, and finding "flow" activities that give you a temporary sense of achievement, but I would argue that "optimal experience" comes from a having a purpose far beyond the work environment.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad
Review: Interesting reading if you have ever been totally taken up by some activity.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: I got this book on a recommendation from a neurosurgeon. Got about a third of the way through it and then realized what it was talking about and did not feel the need to read the rest, but I will likely finish it at a later date. Very interesting book if you are one of those people who gets totally taken up by some work activity.
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Summary: Optimal Experience: Not One Destination
Review: If anyone is seeking a "recipe" for "optimal experience" do not read this book. This book is not a step-by-step, self-help guide to achieving this sought after state of being ... Neither is it a pedantic overview of psychological studies replete with statistical analyses, i.e., hard data, proving "flow" exists. Instead, it begins with an overview of how people define and achieve happiness. Essentially, the author contends, most people are not happy because the universe was not created to make us happy but on the contrary, ti serves to frustrate us and help us grow ... The primary focus of this book is to show us that "flow" states happen to people despite the challenges of the universe, it happens to people from all walks of life, from all cultures throughout the world. Flow is a state of consciousness which anyone can achieve as it is an individual path but has common elements which everyone can identify. That being the case, the author examines the common experiences and descriptions about which people who are in a state of "flow" speak. It seems people who are in "flow" find a state of consciousness that is in harmony with their surroundings and feelings. They do not make distinctions between work and play ... the people in "flow" create an inner state of being that brings them peace and satisfaction that is apart from their external circumstances. They are focused, what they do has meaning and purpose, they are absorbed in the activities they do, and they have a sense of connection to their inner self and others. The state called "flow" pertains to enjoyment and satisfaction with one's quality of life. The basis for the flow experience seems to be creating meaning and controling consciousness where a state of unity exists which is consistent with a person's life themes. Some people experience it for minutes, some for hours, and some for days on end ... evidently it can be sustained by some people. The simplest way to describe "flow" is creating meaning in life with focus and intent. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the "psychology of being alive here and now."
Erika B. (erikab93)
Rating:
Summary: A really different perspective on happiness
Review: This is an excellent book on the happiness derived from achievement. Anyone who is any good at something comes accross as self-actualized, driven, talented, fortunate. This applies to Andre Agassi as well as Yoyo Ma. Top performers in any field appear blessed by a destiny leading them to superior achievement and level of happiness. To the author there is no secret. All these super talented achievers live in 'flow.' This is a psychological state where you are so fulfilled that you seem in a timeless, efortless dimention of play. But, to the rest of the world you actually are really focused, training really hard, and really driven. To you it is a piece of cake because you love what you are doing. Find your own 'flow' activities. And, see your own self actualization soar.
Rating: 
Summary: Explains the mechanics but not the spirit.
Review: According to the author, flow is a state of mind when it is totally engrossed in an activity that it looses track of itself and becomes one with the activity being performed. The author supports this with excerpts from interviews with people (rock climbers, artists, musicians etc) who are involved in flow-producing activities. However, the author never addresses why a person would choose one flow producing activity over another or should people cram as many flow producing activities in their lives as possible. Instead the author attempts to apply the conditions that create flow to turn even the most mundane activities into flow producing activities! In effect, he is saying, "Stop whining you lot, use these techniques known to produce flow to make your job more interesting". The author contends that people are dissatisfied because of lack of flow in their activities which gets them bored sooner or later. Cant people be bored of always being in flow too? How is it different from being temporarily entertained by a good film? The work is good in that it documents the mechanics of flow but disappoints by not discussing the role of passion/liking of the performer for his chosen activity - which is probably why he repeatedly engages in it; flow being a pleasant by-product but not an end in itself.
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