Ryan Gibson (students choice The Flow experience)

The flow experience can be described as the combination of action and awareness but its contribution to its participant goes way beyond the idea of simply living in the now. Being in the flow allows people to escape from their thoughts and worries providing them with the sense of peace of mind. So what opportunities do people have to experience this flow? In my opinion, anyone can fall into the flow at relatively any time but there are specific activities that make entering into it a very natural experience. Playing sports is a very good way to enter into this zone of concentration. When focusing in on sports objectives or plays one forgets about themselves and concentrates on the action of winning. Another way to experience the flow is through pilgrimage, especially on the Appalachian trail. When hiking the A.T. the pilgrim is almost forced into the flow because of the difficult terrain of the hike. At many points on the trail, hikers must climb large mountains or walk over roots and rocks making them constantly watch their step in order to prevent themselves form falling. This comes very naturally on a hike because the main focus is getting to the destination. Many people experience the flow without even realizing it making the flow experience a very undderated way of bringing balance to ones and taking them into the moment.