Ep. 2 - Flow, Metaphor, and the Axial Revolution

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Feb 6, 2019

Explore the fascinating connection between shamanism and flow states as tools for enhanced consciousness and meaning-making. Discover how rock climbers and jazz musicians achieve peak performance through flow and implicit learning. Delve into intuition's role in recognizing complex patterns and how external influences shape our thinking. Finally, consider how literacy transforms cognitive processes, fostering self-awareness and moral responsibility in personal and societal growth.

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INSIGHT

Flow State and Meaning

The flow state occurs when a task's demands slightly exceed one's skills, pushing individuals to extend their abilities.
This state is deeply positive and linked to meaning in life, distinct from mere physical pleasure.

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ANECDOTE

Flow-Inducing Activities

Activities like playing jazz, martial arts, and rock climbing induce flow states.
Rock climbing exemplifies this, as the challenging and potentially harmful activity becomes deeply rewarding due to flow.

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INSIGHT

Universality of Flow

The flow state is a universal experience across cultures, age groups, and genders.
It is characterized by at-oneness, spontaneity, effortlessness, altered time perception, and a diminished sense of self.

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Exploring Flow States and Implicit Learning in Performance

11:48 • 9min

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Unveiling Intuition: Implicit Learning and the Power of Metaphor

21:12 • 29min

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The Evolution of Self-Awareness Through Literacy and Symbolic Thought

50:06 • 8min

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The Origin and Goal of Hist

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Karl Jaspers

Karl Jaspers's "The Origin and Goal of History" explores the concept of the Axial Age, a period of profound spiritual and intellectual transformation that shaped the course of human history. Jaspers examines the emergence of new philosophical and religious ideas during this era, highlighting their impact on human societies and cultures. He analyzes the lives and teachings of key figures like Zoroaster, Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the Axial Age and its lasting influence on ethical and spiritual thought. Jaspers's work provides a profound insight into the development of human consciousness.

The end of the Bronze Age

Changes in Warfare and the Catastrophe ca. 1200 B.C.

Robert Drews

Robert Drews's "The End of the Bronze Age" explores the societal transformations and military changes that led to the catastrophic collapse of Bronze Age civilizations around 1200 B.C. Drews examines the role of warfare and technological advancements in this period of upheaval. He analyzes the decline of major empires and the emergence of new power structures. The book provides a detailed analysis of the military strategies and technological innovations of the time. Drews's work offers a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contributed to the Bronze Age collapse.

Implicit Learning and Tacit Knowledge: An Essay on the Cognitive Unconscious

An Essay on the Cognitive Unconscious

Arthur Reber

Arthur Reber's "Implicit Learning and Tacit Knowledge" explores the concept of implicit learning, a form of learning that occurs without conscious awareness or intention. Reber examines the cognitive mechanisms underlying implicit learning and its role in various aspects of human behavior. He discusses the distinction between implicit and explicit learning, highlighting the importance of unconscious cognitive processes. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the research on implicit learning, examining its implications for various fields, including language acquisition, skill development, and decision-making. Reber's work has significantly influenced our understanding of the cognitive unconscious.

Metaphors We Live By

Mark Johnson

George Lakoff

In 'Metaphors We Live By,' George Lakoff and Mark Johnson argue that metaphor is not just a figure of speech but a fundamental mechanism of the mind that allows us to use our physical and social experiences to understand more abstract concepts. The book introduces the concept of 'conceptual metaphors' and demonstrates how these metaphors structure our perceptions, thoughts, and actions. It challenges traditional views in Western philosophy and linguistics by showing that metaphor is pervasive in everyday language and thought, influencing how we think about concepts like love, arguments, and truth.

The better angels of our nature

Why Violence Has Declined

Steven Pinker

In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history. He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism. He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence.

Educating Intuition

Robin M. Hogarth

In 'Educating Intuition,' Robin M. Hogarth offers a detailed exploration of intuition, examining its roots in tacit learning and its role in daily decision-making. The book combines cognitive science, psychological research, and Hogarth's own observations to provide a practical guide on enhancing intuitive skills. It addresses questions about the reliability of intuition and offers concrete suggestions and exercises for developing intuitive abilities.

1177 B.C.

The Year Civilization Collapsed

Eric H Cline

In this book, Eric H. Cline examines the sudden and catastrophic collapse of the Late Bronze Age civilizations around 1177 B.C. He discusses how the victory of Pharaoh Ramses III over the Sea Peoples weakened Egypt and led to the decline of surrounding civilizations. Cline argues that the collapse was not caused by a single factor, but by a combination of invasions, revolts, earthquakes, drought, and the disruption of international trade routes. The book highlights the interdependence of these civilizations and how this interdependence hastened their dramatic collapse, ushering in a dark age that lasted centuries.

Dhammapada

F. Max Muller

The Dhammapada is a Buddhist scripture that distills the complex teachings of the Buddha into concise, crystalline verses. It is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. The text includes various chapters that cover themes such as earnestness, thought, the nature of the fool and the wise man, and the path to enlightenment. It emphasizes the importance of controlling one's thoughts and actions to achieve happiness and avoid suffering. The verses are traditionally believed to have been spoken by the Buddha on various occasions and are accompanied by commentaries that provide context and stories to illustrate the teachings.

The Axial Age and Its Consequences

Robert Bellah

Hans Joas

Flow

The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

In this classic work, Csikszentmihalyi investigates 'optimal experience' and reveals that true happiness and satisfaction can be achieved through a state of consciousness called 'flow. ' During flow, individuals experience complete concentration on the task, clarity of goals, and immediate feedback. The book demonstrates how this positive state can be controlled and how it can improve the quality of life by unlocking meaning, creativity, and peak performance.

Great Transformations

Mark Blyth

Video series can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ

Books in the Video:

•Karen Armstrong - The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions
•Robert Bellah and Hans Joas (Editors) – The Axial Age and its Consequences
•Eric Cline - 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed
•Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
•The Dhammapada
•Robert Drews - The End of the Bronze Age: Changes in Warfare and the Catastrophe ca. 1200 B.C.
•Robin Hogarth – Educating Intuition
•Karl Jaspers - The Origin and Goal of Hist
•George Lakoff and Mark Johnson - Metaphors We Live By
•Steven Pinker - The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
•Arthur Reber - Implicit Learning and Tacit Knowledge: An Essay on the Cognitive Unconscious
•Joseph Schear (Editor) - Mind, Reason, and Being-in-the-World: The McDowell-Dreyfus Debate

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