8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Relaxing Into Power; Flow; Getting Into It

by David Campbell
6 replies
I'd like to explore the ideas of . . . relaxing into power . . . being in the flow . . . "getting into it" . . . with other Warriors.

Let me start by trying to explain more clearly what I'd like to get at. I'll start by describing some of my experiences along these lines.

Every now and then I'll get into a friendly tussle - a kind of stand up wrestling match - with one of my (honestly beloved) family members. (All in fun for everyone.) I find I can tussle in one of two very different ways. I can "struggle" to win, "struggle" to exert force, "struggle" to overcome. And I usually do okay.

Or, instead of struggling, I can do what I'll call "relaxing into power." (Some of this may sound goofy. I don't really have the words for it, so please bear with me.) I sort of calm myself inside, and/or let something go inside. It can even seem to feel as if I'm relaxing my grip on the other person. I have a curious sense of . . . focus . . . or purpose . . . or attention. I don't quite know what to call it. Somewhat as if I'm putting aside distraction and also the need to struggle. And when I do this thing-whatever-it-is, I win the tussle easily, every time. A . . . non-egoistic . . . sense of power just kind of flows through me during the process. I don't know anything about Zen, but I'll use this phrase anyway - it almost feels "zen like."

(Please understand. I'm not bragging or crowing here. I'm trying to get at something deeper - with the goal of being able to do it more consistently and effectively; and be able to generalize the process in useful ways to other things - like internet marketing.)

In a somewhat - somewhat - similar vein, I can get into "flow." I'll be working away at my computer, typically on a writing project that I enjoy. I get into the work and lose track of time. I'm in the groove, on a roll, caught up in the creativity. This can occupy 8 or 10 hours of time sometimes, with very little in the way of breaks. I'll virtually forget to eat sometimes. When I'm done, I have a sense of completion and accomplishment, and satisfied calmness. I can leave the work behind and go on to focus freely on other things.

I haven't yet tried to get into "flow" intentionally as I have with "relaxing into power." So far it just spontaneously happens sometimes.

Then, there's "getting into it." I'll do this sometimes when I'm with another person and doing something for their sake that I might not otherwise choose to do. Or I can do it sometimes with work tasks, when I actually think to do so rather than "struggle." I just choose to focus myself on the task at hand and really get into it. I bring more energy and attention to bear; perhaps put more speed and power into any related physical moves; choose to get energized about whatever it is.

When I do this, everybody involved (including me) seems to have a much better time. If it's work related, the work goes better and more gets done.

Somehow or other, I'd like to sort of put these three similar-but-somewhat-different states . . . relaxing into power . . . flow . . . and getting into it . . . together and have them more readily available more of the time.

I'd also like to learn more about them from someone who is better at it than I am. And / or I'd like to find ways to teach it and thereby learn more about it / advance it interactively as well.

Any thoughts, advancements, or recommendations based on experience?

Anybody you know whom you're quite certain knows how to do this sort of thing skillfully and intentionally?

Do you have any personal connection with anyone highly experienced in this area to whom you'd be willing to introduce me?
#energizing #flow #personal power #power #relaxing #rhythm
  • Profile picture of the author David Campbell
    Hmmm. No pressure or bad vibes here, but I'm kind of curious . . .

    As of right now, 64 people have looked at this thread but there were zero comments (until this one!).

    Any useful thoughts as to why?

    I suspect lots of people have had this kind of experience of "Flow" or "Getting Into It."
    Seems to me like it could be a good thing to be able to do it more consciously, more intentionally, more purposely, more directedly.

    It could be a great tool for advancing one's level of success.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[69159].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Eddy
      I would say that people arn't replying to this because they don't know what to say. It's a pretty peculiar subjuect.

      First, on the tussling with family members. In Highschool I was in wrestling so I know how this relaxing could definately be helping you. It basically helps because you can feel where they are off balance and use that to push and move them where you like. Plus your natural reactions are pretty helpful when you allow your body to just instictively react.

      But more to the point of what you're talking about. I would say that yeah this is definately true and can help you in life in general. You need to start thinking of your mind as a tool that you can use to extract information and ideas from when in this focused mindset. I think that a technique that follows what your talking about is switch words. These are words that you use in order to stimulate your brain into working for you. For example, the word I use everyday is find. I really think it helps my brain focus and come up with more ideas for my internet marketing. Of course that could just be the placebo effect, but hey either way it works for me. Give it a look.

      Here's one site, but you can just type "useful switch words" into google.

      List of Switchwords

      -Benjamin Eddy
      Yourimdeals.com (soon to come)
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[70095].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author dorothydot
        Seems like it's easiest for me to write copy at night when I can't sleep or early in the morning before or during that first cuppa coffee. It's like some part of my brain is switched off and something else can flow past the "gate-keeper".

        I play the harp. Fairly well, in fact. But when I play, it's more like I'm a conduit. Like there is an ethereal power in the air that gets focused in me and flows out my fingers to the harp strings, and from there goes out into the world via the pure tones of the harp.

        So yes, I do understand what you're saying. This is my version, my experience of your "Relaxing Into Power" concept.
        Dot
        Signature

        "Sell the Magic of A Dream"
        www.DP-Copywriting-Service.com

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[70223].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author David Campbell
          Thanks Benjamin for that link to switch words. I read something by IM guru David Vallieres a few months ago in which he mentions using the switch word "find" also. So you're in good company! Must be something to it.

          Thank you also, Dot. I'm not musically inclined, but I've made enough attempts at learning music over the years to think that the art of producing music could indeed be a great way to get into "flow," or "relax into power."

          Now, Dot, here's a question for you. Without someone having to study a musical instrument, how would you teach them how to get into that mental state?

          I'm assuming you find that state of flow pleasant, and valuable to your art. Could you separate out some of the components of that flow in order to tell someone else how to get there on purpose?

          Can you get into that state of mind yourself, consistently, or at will? That is, can you do it on purpose or does it just sort of happen to you sometimes?

          And if you DID want to be able to do it on purpose, how would you begin to develop the skill of getting into that state of mind intentionally?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[70989].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author zenmn
    The flow you feel or are "getting into" is the Tao. Powerful stuff there and if you want to teach it one only need to read Sun Tzu and Art of Strategy and Lao Tzu The Tao of Power. Both are written 2,500 years ago and translated by a guy named RL Wing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[71321].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dorothydot
      Thank you, Zenmn. I hardly know how to put it into words. It's like joining your soul with something powerful.

      Another way, not nearly so potent, is my handcrafts - knitting, crocheting, tatting, etc. When something is niggling at me or I'm worried or stressed, I can sit and focus on moving my hands, producing something useful and attractive. Then one part of my mind gently pokes at the irritation - and quickly retreats back to my project. Once I feel safe/secure again, I venture into the irritation once more - with the option of retreat constantly, easily available.

      I find that answers sort of flood out of my subconscious. The stress just flows out of me like a poisonous stream and I can relax, facing what must be faced with renewed strength. My handcrafts are far more than knit 1, purl 2! They are my sanity links. They are my expression of deep love for people near and far from me.

      Hope this helps,
      Dot
      Signature

      "Sell the Magic of A Dream"
      www.DP-Copywriting-Service.com

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[71581].message }}

Trending Topics