“Risk, Flow and the Power of Attention”
My latest podcast interview is an intriguing exploration into how we navigate risk and flow in our lives, and the power of using curiosity to claim our attention back from the “urgency” of news and the endless seduction of social media.
Ryan Leech was a pro trials mountain biker for 25 years, performing thousands of stunt shows for the likes of Crankworx, Red Bull, and Cirque du Soleil, and also holds an Integral Master Coach™ certification.
Our conversation covers a lot of ground, including how to be with uncertainty and fear, and the nature of risk and what our motivations are when we choose it or avoid it.
Ryan also shares his insight into six kinds of flow:
1) Forced Flow: this one’s triggered by risk, by putting yourself into a really challenging, high consequence situation that requires your full attention. You’re essentially forcing a flow state because your survival depends on it.
2) Vicarious Flow: A common example of vicarious flow is watching a talented performer or athlete. When they are in flow, they're orchestrating a collective flow state that you as the audience can tap into.
3) Chance Flow: This is often experienced in nature, in a beautiful place out in the woods or watching a waterfall and all of a sudden, seemingly randomly, you drop into a state of oneness with all that is. It arises unexpectedly, and typically noticing you’re in it as the effect of popping you out of it.
4) Choice Flow: This is entered through practice, when you've developed an ability to be present. Meditation or creative practices are very powerful ways to increase the ability to choose flow.
5) Channeling Flow: you can channel flow by bringing a burning question to a mountain bike ride or a walk in the forest or any other activity you’re about to engage in. You prepare the field by asking the question to yourself several times before beginning the activity, and then let go of it completely.
Then you enter the activity with as much presence as possible, in a receptive state, so that you can receive whatever messages might need to come to you from the universe, from spirit, from the One.
6) Pure Flow: this is what Ryan calls “reverential immersion in motion, guided by a higher calling.” There's purpose in what we’re doing, and we bring an intention and commitment to do it in a state of pure flow.
Finally we look at what it means to keep growing throughout your life:
the vitality and joy of being a life-long learner
how generosity of spirit serves your personal evolution
the four kinds of people it’s essential to be connected with on your path of growth and learning
Want to collaborate to create some magic in your life?
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My latest podcast interview is an intriguing exploration into how we navigate risk and flow in our lives, and the power of using curiosity to claim our attention back from the “urgency” of news and the endless seduction of social media.