Thanks for recommending that. I'll try to read it soon.
That state though is something I found very useful. I find I force myself to be in that state whenever I run or bike, and it usually helps me not only reach my goals but push beyond them. I constantly tell myself that what I'm doing is good for me, that it's enjoyable, and then usually it becomes so. I also go into a selective state of concentration where I concentrate on the good, but ignore the bad (pain, injury, etc.). -William -----Original Message----- From: Robert N. Ward <[email protected]> To: The Horn List <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 1:22 pm Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Concentration Hi all, The issue of concentration is an interesting one. As I read many of the emails posted here over the last couple of days, I was struck how much concentration was thought of or referred to as almost a discrete entity. So I began reflecting on what it means to concentrate. One fascinating book that I have often recommended to students is called: "Flow, the Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi In it, he explores the state that most of us have experienced, of being completely absorbed in an activity - a state which is highly pleasurable. In fact, the author makes the case the quest to be in the flow state is a universal desire across all races and cultures. Most musicians can remember a performance or rehearsal where everything just went right and it was effortless - if so, you were in the state of flow. The book definitely has something to offer in regards to this exchange about concentration, and I highly recommend it. B Robert N. Ward Principal Horn San Francisco Symphony [email protected] _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/valkhorn%40aol.com _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
