In Part 1 of this three-part program, Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi discusses the results of over thirty years researching the lives of highly creative individuals. He points out that creativity involves a lifelong commitment that begins with one's personal life and moves beyond to the larger cultural domain. In Part 2, Csikszentmihalyi discusses his work on "flow," a state of consciousness that entails a passionate involvement with life. This state is reported in similar language by creative people in all areas of life. It is associated with happiness and a commitment to a full and rewarding life. Flow is often cultivated through physical disciplines such as sports, yoga and martial arts. In Part 3, Csikszentmihalyi explores the application of the theory of evolution to human consciousness. He maintains that we are at a point in evolutionary history where it is incumbant upon us to take conscious control over the future evolution of the mind. We do this by striving for complexity. Complexity entails an openness to the cultural and spiritual traditions of the world in a manner that seeks the common threads of integration.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. He is author of several books including Flow, The Evolving Self and Creativity.