Jon Thorne, our founder, is notable for being among the first to understand that the flow state is an integral part of the human experience. We all exist in a state of flow; instead of trying to enter it, we have to stop taking ourselves out of it.

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This realization guided Jon to Dr. Iain McGilchrist, who explains that when our brain focuses on a particular object, it reduces our awareness of the interconnections among everything around us. Once we obtain that specific object, our brain should realign itself with the flow of these connections until it becomes aware of when something else is needed. Flow represents our natural state, which we temporarily leave to grasp something new.

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Iain emphasizes that modern technology often leads us to spend significant portions of our day concentrating on isolated tasks, such as managing to-do lists and following maps. This pulls us out of flow. When we dedicate excessive time away from the natural flow of relationships and the connections surrounding us, we can easily become overwhelmed by our circumstances. In moments of overwhelm, we frequently seek to regain a sense of control. This pursuit of stability may cause us to fixate on adhering to simple guidelines. Our relationships become about following simple guidelines. We feel isolation even when we are with people. This way of living is not our intended path and can be harmful to our well-being. Although there are various strategies to cope with feelings of overwhelm and isolation, they often fail to tackle the root issue: we have stepped away from our inherent, organic flow. Iain believes that this disconnection is occurring on such a massive scale that if we do not find a way to prevent technology from pulling humanity out of flow, it could ultimately lead to the collapse of society as we know it.

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The importance of flow in times of collapse

 

​Absolutely, it's like being in a river. When we try to control everything, it's as if we're trying to stop the river's flow. We might feel safe for a while, but we're actually cutting ourselves off from the life-giving current. On the other hand, when we're in a state of collapse, it's as if we've been swept away by the river. We're overwhelmed and scared, but we're also in the flow. We're part of something bigger than ourselves. We're connected to the world around us in a way we can't be when we're trying to control everything. So, the key is not to try to stop the river, but to learn how to swim in it. To trust in the flow and let it carry us. This doesn't mean we give up control completely. We still need to steer ourselves, to avoid the rocks and the dangerous currents. But we also need to let go, to trust in the flow, to be open to the unknown. That's where real life is. That's where hope is. That's where we find the strength to keep going, even when things are tough. Because we're not alone. We're part of the flow. And the flow is life itself.