Accessing a Flow State from Home

It doesn’t take much imagination to think about accessing a flow state while you are participating in The Kripalu Outdoors Mindful Archery Retreat, but how can one access the flow state at home? We asked Micah Mortali to share some tips with us!

1) Pause: Whatever you are doing, whether it is archery, yoga on the mat, or composing an email, allow yourself a few moments to center yourself. Invite a few deep breaths, focusing on lengthening the exhalations. Invite your attention to arrive in the ever-changing present moment. Feel your breath and then listen to all the sounds, both human and “more than human.” Rest your attention in the sensations of the present moment.

2) Go Slow: Whatever it is you are doing, remember “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” Take your time. Pay attention to what you are doing. Each step of the process is important. Try not to get ahead of yourself.

3) Releasing the Fruit: In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches the legendary archer Arjuna that he has the right to action but not to the fruit of action. What this means for us is that we can and should strive to be as skillful as we can in life and in archery. We should be mindful of how we conduct ourselves. And yet, as skillful as we may become, there will always remain influences that move in our lives which are outside of our control. We are called to release our attachment to the outcomes we desire. In archery, this means, it’s not all about getting the bull's eye. We have to let go.

Watch the video to learn more about Kripalu's Mindful Archery Retreat: