NOTE: Cover frustration variation:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30475031/

NOTES: on converting religious terms to operational terms (science)
Homeostasis
Self Image > Reputation > Status
Soul (debt/credit)
Spirit (intuition)
Repentance
Mindfulness
Altruistic Punishment
Forgiveness
Theosis – Process of becoming united with god (personal god)
Satori / Kensho.- 
Nirvana 
Samadhi – intense concentration and meditation 
(“flow state”) 
… (“dominant flow state”)
… (“submissive flow state”)
… … Dao (the way – effortless action (woo wei)) Henosis, Eosis, yoga.
Revelation 

The Spiritual Experience

Stress reduction, mindfulness…. ( … )
Memory, Self Image, Status …. how they are overcome.

Need for mindfulness, need for suppression of neuroticism, need increases with alienation, and is worsened by informational saturation.

Intuition 

(spiritual and intuition)

The Spectrum of Spiritual Experience

When say dominant to submissive, I mean the spectrum of conscious self regulation to ‘the submission to the pack response’. In other words, we are able to obtain a sense of well being and even elation by provoking the submission to the pack response.

|Spiritual Regulation|: Dominant <-> Submissive

Dominant to Submissive:

• Dominant States: These involve conscious self-regulation, where an individual actively controls their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. In these states, the person is focused on maintaining autonomy, mastery, or leadership within a social context.

• Submissive States: As one moves toward more submissive states, the focus shifts from self-regulation to a form of surrender or alignment with the group, often resulting in a “submission to the pack(M)/herd(F)” response. This submission can trigger feelings of safety, belonging, and even euphoria, as the individual aligns with the group’s norms, hierarchy, or rituals.

Dominant to Submissive Flow States

• Dominant Flow States: In these states, individuals often maintain a sense of agency and control, aligning with conscious thought and meditative practices. Examples include Vitakka-Vicara in Buddhism and Manas in Hinduism.

• Submissive Flow States: These states involve surrendering personal control and merging with a greater reality, leading to experiences like Fana in Islam or Nirvana in Buddhism.

This description mirrors psychological and evolutionary perspectives on social behavior, particularly in how individuals experience well-being through different states of consciousness and social interaction.

Neuroscience of Flow State

A “flow state” is a psychological condition characterized by deep immersion, focus, and enjoyment in an activity, where time seems to pass quickly, and self-consciousness fades. From a technical and scientific perspective, the causes of a flow state involve a combination of neurological, psychological, and environmental factors.

1. Dopaminergic Activity:

   • Dopamine Release: The brain’s reward system, particularly the release of dopamine, plays a key role in inducing and maintaining a flow state. Dopamine is associated with pleasure, motivation, and the feeling of reward, which helps sustain focus and engagement in the task.
   • Striatum Involvement: The striatum, part of the basal ganglia, is heavily involved in processing reward-related information. During a flow state, increased activity in the striatum helps maintain the rewarding experience of the task, reinforcing sustained attention.

2. Prefrontal Cortex Downregulation:

   • Transient Hypofrontality: In a flow state, there is a temporary reduction in activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for higher-order cognitive functions like self-monitoring, planning, and decision-making. This downregulation reduces self-consciousness and the inner critic, allowing for a more immersive experience.
   • Increased Autonomy of Subcortical Structures: As the prefrontal cortex activity decreases, subcortical areas like the basal ganglia take over, allowing more automatic, skilled behaviors to emerge without conscious interference.

3. Neural Synchrony and Efficiency:

   • Alpha-Theta Brainwave Patterns: Studies have shown that during flow states, there is increased coherence in alpha (8-12 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) brainwave patterns. Alpha waves are associated with a relaxed, yet alert state, while theta waves are linked to deep concentration and creativity. This synchrony facilitates the efficient processing of information and smooth execution of tasks.
   • Neural Efficiency Hypothesis: Flow is associated with optimal neural efficiency, where the brain uses fewer resources for cognitive processing, leading to a state of “effortless attention.” This efficiency reduces cognitive load, contributing to the experience of being “in the zone.”

Psychological and Environmental Triggers:

1. Challenge-Skill Balance:

   • Optimal Challenge Level: Flow is most likely to occur when there is a perfect balance between the challenge of the task and the individual’s skill level. If the task is too easy, boredom ensues; if too difficult, anxiety arises. The flow state occurs in the “sweet spot” where the individual feels competent and challenged.

2. Clear Goals and Immediate Feedback:

   • Goal Orientation: Having clear goals helps maintain focus and direction, which are crucial for flow. The individual knows what they are working toward, which reduces cognitive uncertainty.
   • Immediate Feedback: Receiving immediate feedback on progress allows for real-time adjustments and keeps the individual engaged. This feedback loop is critical for maintaining the flow state, as it reinforces the sense of control and competence.

3. Deep Concentration and Absorption:

   • Attention and Focus: Flow requires deep, undivided attention to the task at hand. This level of concentration is facilitated by minimizing distractions and having a strong intrinsic motivation for the task.
   • Loss of Self-Consciousness: As attention narrows on the activity, self-conscious thoughts diminish, allowing the individual to become fully absorbed in the moment.

4. Autotelic Experience:

   • Intrinsic Motivation: Activities that are inherently enjoyable or fulfilling tend to induce flow more easily. An autotelic experience means that the activity itself is rewarding, independent of any external outcome, which sustains engagement and immersion.

Flow State and Performance:

• Peak Performance: The flow state is associated with peak performance across various domains, from sports to creative activities to work tasks. The optimal engagement and cognitive efficiency during flow lead to enhanced performance and skill acquisition.
• Neuroplasticity: Prolonged experiences of flow can contribute to neuroplasticity, reinforcing neural pathways associated with the specific skills being performed. This can lead to long-term improvements in proficiency and expertise.

Conclusion:

The flow state is a complex interplay of neurological processes, psychological conditions, and environmental factors. It is characterized by a harmonious balance between challenge and skill, efficient neural processing, and a deeply rewarding experience that sustains focus and enhances performance. Understanding these mechanisms can help in deliberately cultivating flow in various activities and contexts.

Spectrum of States

v. Variation.

(how)

(tree)

(Introduction)

(TOC (topics))

(i’m gonna guess)

Neural Economy (set standard minimum for variation)

Lateralization (bilateralism) and Sex Differences (and lateral dominance)

Grey Matter (masculine, local, compartmental) vs White Matter Bias (feminine, remote, holistic).

Longitudinal bias.

Acquisition (and what we seek to acquire – demonstrated interests, )

Personality Differences (positive and negative) (before during after) on sex differences.  (Sex -> Personality -> Moral?)(Moral being social demonstrated intelligence, conscientiousness together with experience producing agency.

Summary: Simple: Acquire (more) neural excitement in relation to our state (homeostasis).

AND;