Flowtoys - "The Meaning of Flow" (Richard Hartnell)

[smellmalilies]

Thought that was Eskmo ;)

No but really. You completely nailed it. I love this video and couldn't watch it enough times. Thank you for spreading the word. <3 Much love

[bugzbuks]

What a great flow of thought. I've always felt that a perfect poi session sent me just as deep as any meditation. I do however disagree with the idea that Maslow's pyramid can be turned upside down. We have to go through all the steps. I doubt you will be able to enter the zone if your starving or if you're depressed and self conscious. Still the analogy between the 2 concepts are very well presented.

Oh and congrats on the residency! :D

[VelveteenSaint]

@bugzbuks Thanks! I don't mean to imply that inverting Maslow's pyramid suddenly means you can survive on sick poi flows alone; one still has to start with physiological needs and advance upward. I disagreed with the notion that the human experience becomes more narrow and closes off at peak experiences - properly, I think our human experience broadens as we satisfy higher and higher needs, and look forward to discovering a new tier of consciousness as my creative urges become satisfied.

[TheRuthyroo]

This is fantastic! Now off to look into Mr. Csikszentmihalyi man. Thank you!

[machineagemaya]

what starts as a hobby turns into a path to higher tiers of consciousness* <3

[jaguarmaryone]

Sweet! Spiral's there now too, no? Lucky her to get to share flowspace with a multi-baller!!

[jaguarmaryone]

Wow! Nice "attempt" to win toys. I hope you won!

[VelveteenSaint]

@jaguarmaryone I kind of did. They disqualified this video from winning the props so they could give me a residency instead :) :) :)

[nicotinelolipop]

lololol if mirrors could speak xD

[congasious]

Don't know how but i missed watching this video before O_o

Really nice job there!

So, i guess you won that flow thing, didn't you?! (i mean if this didn't win who did?!) Win-win-win!

Congrats again!

PS. Nice & clear voice for narration ^^

[climbingchristopher]

This is well done sir.  You absolutely nailed it. Thank you!

[hushpuppymix2]

You have provided such a community service by defining Flow in an informative, accessible, and engaging way...reaching out to people beyond those "in the flow know," which is tough to do but so essential, timely, and generous. Thank you.

[KaylaKinch]

Richard...I love you :)

[machineagemaya]

I love your entry Richard! so well done :) beautiful footage as well<3

[werekiller]

very inspiring video. thank you :)

[s1ack3rr2]

HOLY FUCKIN SHIT. that staff at 2:25 is craaaaaaaaaaaaaazy

[VelveteenSaint]

@s1ack3rr2 Yeah, MCP is a monster.

[s1ack3rr2]

@VelveteenSaint how are they rotating?

[VelveteenSaint]

@s1ack3rr2 They're just spokes... the trick is to maintain the staff's constant rolling. Search "dragon staff" and you'll get lotsa info.

[mustafa198289]

Thank you for sharing! This is one of most eloquently well put flow video I've seen so far!

[lizzieinsin]

I'm sure Sean and Prisna had such a difficult time! Your video is so well spread.

I think this should be shown in the schools!

[TJHoopc]

This is just fucking amazing. Wow.

[RaveMischief]

Great video :) I met you last year at Sea of Dreams and again at Bassnectar in Santa Cruz....just happened to stumble upon your video. Good luck!

[tacoguy5012]

This is a brilliant doco!

[meyerjac]

Well done!

[blissbutterfly]

Richard, I am so impressed by the beautiful breakdown and insight into flow. Blessings and best of luck, your well thought out and creative video is sure to inspire existing and future flow artists.

[JaviAirhead]

Lots of visual aids with this video :) this is def my favorite one so far!!!

[elninohaginho]

that was really really good, congratulations:)

[VanessaVortex]

OMG I love it. This speaks to so many psychological issus that come up while in Circus School. "there is no performer, only the performance" I like that one. Thanks Richard, I think you video will help me with my handstands

[zeekle]

You know when you're doing something but you start thinking about something else and you know that "something else" is going to mess you up (and then it does)? The better you get at your flow art, the better your mind gets at silencing itself because in order to do amazing things, you need to allocate a lot of brain power to that activity. It feels so good to silence that nagging mind. All those nagging thoughts will come back afterwards but while you're flowing, you don't have them.

[julahoop]

Great job!  Thanks.

[scunshine]

I'm curious, have you read Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikzmentmihalyi? You summed up his study of flow states very nicely. Great video, I hope it wins :D

[scunshine]

I just realized that you mentioned him after watching this again, disregard my question! but he's got some great insights into flow, I'm glad I got a chance to research him.

[hikertee]

Great reflection on flow! Well done Richard!!

[sensesublimity]

Sooo inspiring! Thank you for giving <3

[dirtfactoryrecords]

very nice Richard! as an improvising musician, I can relate to the flow state, taking the skills and knowledge and practice, and letting it almost take a mind of its own when I cut loose with other players... Also as a snowboarder, being able to point down a slope of untracked fresh powder, and letting the board and the hill guide you where to go. Flow is truly everywhere... even navigating Oakland Traffic!

[Freshmorningdew]

wow I am stunned at how well you give your take on flow, Ad the vid was really nicely done. I can see you put some time into it!

Good luck!

[Thunderfire0976]

@Freshmorningdew

I would Have totally agree. I have been to several regional burns in my area. I believe from my first burn on, I reach the top of the pyramid. Ever since then my life has been so much more complete on a physical and more so on the conscious level. Flow is a wonderful thing and all humans in actuality from the beginning of time has searched for the altered consciousness. Even in my flow art (Poi) has become more precise. I also believe that there is more levels of flow as well.

[TABjuggler]

I really like it. I was actually spending a bunch of time thinking about the hierarchy of needs the last couple of days, because it occurred to me, that at a burn, you are either going to be at the 2nd from the top or top level of the pyramid.

Provided that you take care of all your needs (radical self reliance), at a burn, you feel safe and like you belong, so those needs are met too.

If you are happy with yourself, than all that is left is an exploration of self-actualization. Perfect.

[Jermesin]

love it!!!!!!!!!!

[lucasgabd]

thanks for sharing! I've really loved it.

[PyrodynamicsRob]

That was awesome Richard, well done! Intelligent & Inspiring words.

[VtheArcher]

Awesome video, nice work man :)

[palidances]

Beautifully done! A real gift to the community -- thank you for creating!! <3

[leospoi]

excellent! I expected nothing less from such an inspired speaker

[WesternWheels]

By the way, thanks for screwing up my chance! :-P

[WesternWheels]

Haha nice job! Good luck, ill be sure to congradulate you if you win!

[VelveteenSaint]

@WesternWheels Likewise! I like your video... very heartfelt.

[SennyoGirl]

Excellent, Richard! This is quite impressive.

[daydreamyjuggler]

EXACTLY OMG. Yes.

[bentforkx]

Awesome prose.... succinct, creative, and it works!!!  Well done!

[UberMathNerd]

well done sir

[scerrick]

haha im not so sure about my chances now :(

[magnummax1]

thank you so much, that was beautiful. took the words right out of my mouth. flow on brother.

[kidal91]

beautifully done!

[aileenbean]

You're awesome Richard : ) This video is very you--going above and beyond the expectation to inform and share your message. Thank you!

[scatzofrast]

I dig it :)

[gratefuljuggler]

i like it sir! good stuff