The book “Finding Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a continuation of his bestseller “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.”
What is the Flow?
Flow is a state where a person becomes fully immersed in an activity, feeling at the peak of their abilities and satisfaction. In this state, time passes unnoticed, and the person feels in control and fully concentrated on the process. 
How to Achieve Flow?
People are happiest when they engage in tasks that require a high degree of skill and a desire to perform these actions, and which are done for the sake of the activity itself. Instead of endlessly scrolling on your phone, engage in playing the piano, reading a book, or another activity that captivates you and requires both emotional and intellectual involvement. Transform routine tasks by finding new ways to perform them. The ideas of flow expressed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi offer a profound understanding of how a person can achieve an optimal state in various aspects of life. Flow is not just a situation of deep concentration but an experience of complete harmony with the activity, where time disappears, and a person feels at the peak of their capabilities. Applying flow concepts to meditative practices can deepen this experience even further. Hanafuda cards are an excellent tool for this purpose. Each card is associated with a specific time of the year and a natural element, reflecting the natural cycles and changes in the surrounding world.
Meditation with Hanafuda Cards.
In meditative spreads with Hanafuda cards, it is important not only to consider their images and symbolism but also to seek parallels with one’s own life and inner world. This helps focus on the present moment, immerse oneself in the process of interpretation, and achieve a flow state where awareness and thought merge. Applying the main ideas of flow—defining clear goals, immediate feedback (awareness and experiencing physical and emotional reactions), and balancing understanding and feeling the query—in the interpretation of the cards helps better understand the current challenges and opportunities before you. It also contributes to personal and professional development, helping to formulate action strategies and gain important lessons from your emotional experience. Thus, combining flow ideas with meditative practices using Hanafuda cards not only enriches your meditative practice but also promotes deep inner growth and awareness.
Example of a Meditation
You begin the meditation by forming a mental query about your current inner state and direction of personal development. You enter a flow state by focusing on your breathing and feeling of calm and safety. Randomly, you draw three cards from the Hanafuda deck. Suppose the first card depicts Paulownia (December), symbolizing respect and social status. The second card, Chrysanthemum (September), reflects wisdom and deep knowledge. The third card, Clover (July), symbolizes luck, endurance, and new opportunities. During the meditation, you ask yourself the following questions: December (Paulownia):
- What do I feel looking at the image of the paulownia?
- What aspects of my life can be improved through the sophistication and refinement that the paulownia symbolizes?
September (Chrysanthemum):
- How can I use wisdom and knowledge to overcome current challenges?
- What areas of my life require deep understanding, and how can I apply this to my decisions?
July (Clover):
- How can I use luck and opportunities to move towards my goals?
- What chances and prospects are opening before me, and how can I use them to my advantage?
- What thought or conclusion can I draw from all these cards and their symbolism?
Second Example of a Meditation You begin the meditation by forming a query about overcoming the fear of loneliness and the desire to find a partner at any cost. You enter a flow state by focusing on your breathing and feeling of calm and safety. Randomly, you draw three cards from the deck: April, October, and May. April (Wisteria): Wisteria symbolizes tenderness, beauty, and the long-awaited blooming moment. Like the cherry blossom, wisteria also reminds of the brevity of life and its impermanence.
- What moments of beauty and tenderness can I find in my life right now?
- How can I apply the symbolism of the wisteria to find harmony with myself and the world around me?
October (Maple): The maple symbolizes change, transitions, and acceptance of change. You need to accept your situation and emotions.
- How can I accept my loneliness and fear?
- What changes can I make in my life to feel more satisfied and free?
May (Iris): The iris symbolizes hope and new beginnings, making it an ideal flower for representing the month of May.
- What new opportunities and prospects are opening before me?
- How can I apply the tenderness and purity of the iris in my life to find harmony with myself and the world around me?
- And the final question: What thought or conclusion can I draw from all these cards and their symbolism?
Practicing with Hanafuda cards can help you find harmony with yourself, overcome the fear of loneliness, and open up to new opportunities. Remember that meditation is a tool for inner growth, and each experience is individual.
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