In the Zone: Suspension of Paradigm Paralysis and Self Actualization. An Exploratory Study of Embodied Total Attentional States.

Doctoral Dissertation By Richard L. Roberts

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the characteristics, requisite conditions and benefits of the regular and long-term exposure to embodied total attention experiences (the zone), experienced by adult amateur athletes. This qualitative study examined the as-lived experience of ten co-researchers (5 females and 5 males, age range 32 to 50) who experienced the zone on a weekly and long-term basis and conformed to van Kaam’s guidelines). Data was classified into fundamental categories according to the 5 research questions and then the constituents (underlying ‘meaning units’) derived from the literature. The percentage of occurrence of responses were calculated.

A majority (80-100%) of co-researchers reported 13 of 16 constituents of the total attention experience to be characteristic of the zone. These were: transience, ineffable, openness, an altered sense of time, being fully present, loss of inhibition, intensity, effortlessness, heightened body awareness, gaining insights, peak performance, ego-transcendence and expanded identity ( transpersonal self). Csikszentmihalyi’s 6 necessary conditions for flow were confirmed by 100% of co-researchers, with the exception of challenge/skills match (70%), indicating the zone to be repeatable. ‘Cessation of thought’ (an emergent constituent) was reported by 100% of co-researchers, though it was unclear if this was in addition to or a by-product of these conditions.

Paradigm paralysis was postulated to explain the condition of waking sleep, a sub-optimal state of functioning, and the resultant automatization of attention and perception, associated with waking consciousness in the literature. The following constituents of paradigm paralysis were reported by 80%-100% of co-researchers: mindlessness, limited expression, pessimistic bias, rubricized perception, the persona, waking sleep and related symptoms. It was concluded that the zone afforded an advantage point to gain insights into limiting mindsets (paradigms) leading to paradigm shifts.

Ego-transcendence and the transpersonal self were experienced by all co-researchers. Results suggested a figure-ground reversal effect, allowing the transpersonal self to move to the foreground of awareness, while the persona or ego was transcended. All co-researchers reported feeling more awake in the zone (as compared to waking consciousness) and deautomization, during and after the zone, consistent with the literature regarding the total attention experience. All co-researchers attributed the zone experience to a break down in the inhibitive effects of paradigm paralysis (an emergent constituent) in their lives.

Results confirmed Maslow’s and Csikszentmihalyi’s proposals that regular peak experiences led to the development of self-actualizing characteristics. Eleven of 14 constituents of self-actualization were reported by 80% or more, being: positive affect, self-acceptance, health benefits, openness, Taoist acceptance, motivation to increase frequency, ego-transcendence, being present, enhanced performance, loss of inhibition and more creativity. The majority (80% and up) also reported experiencing characteristics in Maslow’s 12 item checklist. Implications for further research and practice of psychology and evolution of the humanity were discussed.

RESULTS

Subjects chosen as co-researchers in this study were adults who reported experiencing the zone (embodied total attention experience) on a regular basis (at least two to three times a week consistently for at least the last five years). The ten individuals who were finally recruited for this study all answered “yes” to the initial screening questions and represent a total of 165 years of combined experience with being in the zone.

Co-researchers selected represented different physical activities, yet all reported having an experience of the zone on a regular basis. The co-researchers in this study conformed to the guidelines proposed by van Kaam for selecting co-researchers. The final research population of ten co-researchers consisted of 5 males and 5 females with an age range of 32 to 50.

Co-researchers were interviewed between November 13, 1996 and March 17, 1997. Each co-researcher was asked to focus on the ‘as-lived experience’ both during and after their experience of the zone. After each structured interview was completed, co-researchers were invited to provide additional comments. They were also invited to continue to examine their experience of the zone and share any additional insights or comments with the interviewer within no more than a month from the date of their original interview.

Data was collected through responses to the research questions by means of one-on-one structured interviews with each of the ten co-researchers. These interviews lasted approximately 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. The interviews were recorded on audio tape and then transcriptions of each interview made.

The content of the ten transcribed interviews was classified into fundamental categories derived from the original research questions in this study. Within each of these fundamental categories, the specific constituents, the underlying ‘meaning units’, of the

experience were derived from a thorough review of the literature. The data was thus reduced to descriptive precise terminology to make the results more understandable. Each interview was analyzed to identify specific or related references to each of the fundamental categories and then the corresponding constituents. After reducing the data to these fundamental categories and constituents, the percentage of occurrence of responses of the ten co-researchers for each category and constituent were then calculated and presented.

Presentation of Data

The results of this study are presented according to the fundamental categories (based on the research questions) and the constituents within these categories. The first interview question asked the co-researchers to describe their experience of the zone.

Question 1: Descriptions of the Zone – Is the experience of the zone, achieved through various athletic activities, similar in description to what has been found in the literature regarding peak experiences or total attention experiences in general?

Co-Researcher Responses

• Openness – 100%

• Altered Sense of Time – 80%

• Fully present – 100%

• Illumination – 40%

• Loss of Inhibition – 100%

• Creativity – 50%

• Intensity – 100%

• Reverence – 40%

• Effortlessness – 100%

• Heightened Body Awareness – 80%

• Insights – 100%

• Peak Performance – 100%

• Ineffable – 100%

The next two constituents, ego-transcendence and the experience of the transpersonal self were examined separately. It was initially expected that these two constituents would be represented by 100% of the co-researchers because they were recruited based on these criteria – namely “expansion of consciousness beyond the usual sense of everyday self” , “entering an enlarged state of awareness” or moments of “pushing the limits of potential”, all which have been associated with ego-transcendence and the experience of the transpersonal self in the literature. However, the text of each interview was examined for additional references to these two constituents and responses calculated on that basis. The following represents responses on these two constituents:

• Ego-transcendence – Did the co-researcher make specific reference to an experience of ego-transcendence or a loss of the usual self-object-dichotomy? Typical responses derived from the literature in this category included: a merging, a loss of self, self-forgetfulness, and an experience of something beyond the ego, self or personality.

Co-Researcher Responses

• Ego-Transcendence – 100%

Experience of the Transpersonal Self. Did co-researchers make any reference to the experience of the transpersonal self during their experience of the zone? Responses that supported this constituent included the following: contact with the authentic or true self, union and feelings of oneness, a merging, an enlarged state of awareness, moments of expansion of consciousness beyond the usual sense of everyday self, closeness to the core of Being and reference to higher states of consciousness or unitive consciousness.

Co-Researcher Responses

• Transpersonal Self – 100%. Following are typical descriptions of ego-transcendence and transpersonal self from co-researchers:

“I experienced it a lot of times in hitting [fastball]. Times when you knew you were going to hit it, you don’t even think about it when you are in the zone. It is more or less like a concentrated focus. You are vividly alive and in touch with everything around you. The state is so pure. Being who you are.” Aaron

“It is so hard to explain because we don’t have the language. Everything, the trees, rocks, sky, ocean feel alive like they are filled with consciousness. I feel completely in an ecstatic state in that moment. At one with everything, conscious and aware of everything else. There is a feeling of totality. It isn’t just the physical activity kicking off endorphins.” Arleen

“A timeless, expanded space, state of heightened alertness, oneness with everything. I would call it cosmic consciousness – totally tuned in. Spontaneous with no forethought as to what actions you are going to take once the process begins, almost it lives on its own. Always different, unique, ever changing, yet familiar somehow. Always feel new, fresh, like the first time. It is just an enveloping feeling of ‘Yeah’. You want to throw your arms up and go Yes.” Brad

“Things that come to mind are timelessness, freedom, alive, yeah, well-being, expanded.

It seems like when I’m really fully in the zone, I have this overall perception of, it’s like this internal conversation which is this big ‘Yes’, everything is a ‘Yes’. There is no conflict. The zone to me is being or essence. An actualized sense of self.” Frank

“Nothing you do is out of sync. It seems so natural. Nothing else matters and I feel like I can’t do anything wrong. You are aware and adjusting to what you are doing, but you are not fixated on anything. It just flows. You have to be fully present. In this state, there is nothing else, you are 100% there. You can slide into the zone and not be there very long. It is an instant shift.” Jeff

“Instead, you are completely focused on the moment, completely focused on the second really. I find that it is a form almost of meditation. [Comparing meditation and tap] There is a different quality. When I do physical things, I feel joyous. With meditation, I feel a calm, a peace. I feel a higher state than what I do feel in meditation.” Liz

“It’s sheer joy. You usually have a big smile at the end. It does just flow. The term peak experience is pretty accurate. It is very descriptive.” Mary

One with world, self or God. Connection. A high, a joyous moment. Everything feels perfect – emotionally, spiritually, physically. A grateful attack!” Robin

“Not really a state, it is an awakening. It is one-pointedness.” Tom

“The perceiver is not different than the perceived. It’s not me doing this, it is the whole thing. Half the time I don’t even know that I’m doing it until afterwards. A I and Thou rather than an I and it.” Arleen

“The actions are happening as though you just completely let go of everything and let something do it for you. You are really trying to lose yourself when you are out there [surfing]. You got to forget about yourself, which means forgetting about being afraid. Let it go.

It is probably the one thing that has attracted me to surfing, that you could just let go and be yourself. Those times when you are totally yourself and totally not trying to be anything. I would call it cosmic consciousness – totally tuned in.” Brad

[Does it shut down the functioning of your everyday self?] Yes. I lose sight of the real world that I have to operate in all the time. It just goes away. [Do you think the regular experience of the zone allows you to contact real self?] I agree. That is why I likened it to a child. All masks and limits drop.” Jeff

[When you have a peak experience, you transcend the everyday ego?] “Boy, do you, by miles. Everything opens up so much, you are not caught up in your own little world. It is a greater freedom.” Mary

“There is always a sense that something that was being held in me gets released during that time.” Chris

“I could never go back and do things I used to do, like have dead jobs. I could never do that, I could never shrink myself down that way. I’m too big, I know I’m bigger than that because I had the experience. . . . this vibrational upliftment, tuned into something greater than the normal everyday workday.” Frank

“It is an insight into my spirituality, insight into who I am and better know myself, where my center is, my calm point.” Liz

“I have more control over emotions, confidence that a wiser person is in there and just wait for that person to show up. Spirit is more strong.” Robin

“All energy from cosmos is available [in the zone]. I call cosmic consciousness ‘ordinary mind’. It is waking up to reality.” Tom

Question 2: Necessary Conditions – Is this experience repeatable? In other words, what are the necessary conditions required to enter the zone on a regular basis? It was expected that these conditions that precipitated this experience of the zone would confirm those identified by Csikszentmihalyi in previous studies.

• Challenge/Skills Match – 70%

• Total Attention – 100%

• Merging with Experience – 100%

• Control – 100%

• Immediate Feedback – 100%

• Autotelic – 100%

Co-researcher Responses

“There is a tremendous difference in the way you feel between when you are experienced at something and when you are not experienced. When you are really good at something, you get into a wave pattern, a vibration, and your body just moves with it.” Arleen

“Need best equipment, skills and then need to push the envelope, challenge yourself, live on the edge of losing it versus entering the zone. It needs to be something that you push further than you just did. Yes, when I purposely put myself in a position to see if I can get out of it, then it begins to happen. If I am doing the same thing that I’ve already done, then I can’t get into the zone at all. It happens without conscious thought. Let the thoughts and actions become one so that there is no space between the two. As soon as there is space between the two, you are too late if you are in any kind of a critical situation. As soon as there is space between the two, you are out of the game.” Brad

“It is funny, it seems to me that what really brings me more into the zone is when my body is involved. The more I enter into the zone, the more aware I become of my body, really into my body, my center of gravity, different sensations, more primal. . . . everything does itself. It’s hard to say if you are skating or skating is skating you. My mind doesn’t decide. It is not that my mind is completely gone, either, it’s that my mind

is in my body, paying attention to my life in my body. [it’s constantly a pushing forward – challenging yourself further?] Yes I would agree.” Frank

“In flying, put headset on and do maneuvers and everything gets in sync. You have to find the right rhythm to match what you are doing. The music takes the focus away from the physical. You are aware and adjusting to what you are doing, but you are not fixated on anything. It just flows. I think that that is one of the biggest factors is the challenge that it presents. Definitely, the challenge and being able to create the outcome or solution and be in control of that has a lot to do with that. Yet when you are in it, you don’t feel that you are on the edge. Feels like total calm.” Jeff

“Instead, you are completely focused on the moment, completely focused on the second really. I do think you have to have everything going together – relaxation and concentration. When I’m learning the steps, I don’t really hit a zone, but once I have learned them and they come easily to me, then I can enter the zone. Skills really have to be in place. When you hook them together [relaxation and concentration], which we don’t normally do, that is what takes you into the zone and allows you to be more stimulated. You have the two put together and your heart and lungs going, to the point where they just casually work together and it helps you to enter the zone.” Liz

“It happens when I race because it’s that adrenaline rush that you get when you do something right, when you do it well and you keep building on it. To get that particular experience, I have to push myself. If I do what is only comfortable for me and doesn’t require any extra effort, I don’t get to that same point. It takes effort to get to the more ecstatic point. I think you are practicing and practicing and then it all comes together.” Mary

“Experience it in physical activity a lot. Well, need some skills, able to let go and challenge self. Definitely a surrender.” Robin

“The breath is the portal. There is a surrender, a letting go. Essentially to stop thinking. Being in the moment. Do go in and out of it. When not in this state, not one-pointed. If not following breath, then thinking – it fractures the awakening.” Tom

Question 3: De-automatization – Is the experience of being in the zone accompanied by a de-automatization of perceptual constants, as indicated by a heightening of perception? The constituent is heightened perception, which includes references to a shift in perception towards an enhanced vividness and clarity, a freshness of appreciation, an increased richness of perception, an all encompassing, total absorption in the experience, heightening of all the senses, illumination or brightness and an altered perception of time and space.

• Heightened Perception – 100%

“More vivid, reds are more red, blues are more blue. This does carry over into everyday reality. You could fracture perception, split off into many different facets, however can also be one-pointed. You wake up.” Tom

“Heightened perception – clarity of thought. Notice perception of a day is different than most others, more positive, excited.” Robin

I’m thinking of sight. Scenery is so different in this situation. My perception of joy is heightened. Positive things become more positive and negative things go away. Definitely an altered time, not just time but days, what day it is.” Mary

“My perception feels as though its exceptional but there is no focus associated with it. It seems to encompass everything and yet nothing. Its both. It feels as if you are taking in everything. The difference is my focus goes from one thing to the next, see one thing, then the next, a linear process of living. But in the zone, there isn’t that feeling, its all one.” Jeff

“Things don’t seem as concrete, as real or set in stone. Things seem to be more in the present, more of a flow and my experience is very much from one second to the next.” Chris

“Yes, freshness, newness. Highly present in the moment, full awareness. In the zone, the biggest thing that I notice is no time. Its just like a vacuum, no time. As you are approaching the zone, things seem high speed and almost chaotic. And then it just all of a sudden slows down and even the sounds go away, but the pictures are still there and you are moving with the pictures and when its over, its not like it gets dimmer, but the contrast is not as sharp. And there does seem to be a certain feeling of brightness. Life everything is really, really clear and slower compared to normal conscious thought.” Brad

“The main thing is that I feel like everything. My vision I would say probably more vivid. Especially when it comes to seeing far away things or small. More vibrant. Running brings me to that level of perception where everything is vibration. I have experienced this, a oneness. I feel like I am in a kind of dance with the universe, that I am not separate.” Arleen

“You notice everything but you are not looking for anything. When you get in that position, you see everything vividly, your vision is not far or near, high or low, but just like a balance. In sparring, you feel the person getting ready to hit you hard or kick you, you feel their motion, and once you join with them, you don’t back up or move forward, you just feel the energy and you are already connected with it.” Aaron

Question 4: De-automatization Carryover – Additionally, do these perceptual changes carry over into everyday waking consciousness? The constituent is again heightened perception, which includes references to a greater freshness of appreciation, greater clarity, an enhanced vividness, richness of perception, illumination or altered perceptions of time and space.

Deautomatization carryover – 100%

Co-researcher Responses

“Yes, there is carryover [of perceptual changes] into everyday life. That is the idea!” Tom

“Yes, carryover immediately after and later on. Vividness and richness, illumination, expanded awareness is biggest.” Robin

“It does carryover for a little while, for a day.” Mary

“In flying, even after doing the maneuvers, flying back to the airport, my awareness is much more acute to the activities going on that I can’t see. I do notice that my instrument scan is much better afterwards.” Jeff

“Absolutely.” Frank

“Yeah, it definitely stays with me for a while. My senses seem more open, because my head seems more clear. I am more open to seeing things, though I can’t say I see things more clearly, brighter colors. I just feel clearer.” Chris

“That’s hard to answer. It carries over 5 seconds. Because at least in surfing, you come out of the wave and you could be getting ready to get pounded by the next wave coming in and are making decisions about where to go to head back out there again.” Brad

“Yes, the changes linger. Sometimes for a few hours. Yes, expanded awareness. At one with everything, conscious and aware of everything else. There is a feeling of totality.” Arleen

“Perception is heightened, like with music, I hear it afterwards and hear instruments I didn’t hear before.” Aaron

• Paradigm Paralysis – Can those who regularly experience the zone through physical activities provide insight into the existence and functioning of paradigm paralysis in everyday waking state? In particular, as a result of experiencing the zone and its accompanying transcendence of the ego and normal waking state of consciousness, can co-researchers notice more objectively the operation of certain limiting mindsets, beliefs, and views in their life? Excerpts of co-researcher descriptions of their experience and insight into the presence and functioning of paradigm paralysis and its effects in their everyday lives.

Co-Researcher Responses

Mindlessness – 100%

Waking Sleep – 80%

Rubricized Perception – 90%

Limited Expression – 100%

Symptoms of Pessimistic Bias – 100%

“Everyday life! I stop myself. it is really hard when I am going a million miles an hour. It is hard sometimes for me to stay in the present. I had to break down some skills, let go of what people thought I should be doing.” Chris

“My conditioned ego, my fearful, contracted search for life. It shuts down all my creativity and makes me feel I’m unworthy of life. I’d say that it is a lack of being in my body. I mean I’m just dead in my body, I’m tired. I’m just sort of suppressing my experience of life, I’m in worry, I’m in fear, I’m shut down. Shutting down, closing off the aliveness, going dead. I feel like I was dead until I discovered the zone.” Frank

“The more it [the zone] happens, the less you see your imposed [false] self. I think what it does is take away the artificial parameters that we have learned to impose on ourselves. It enables them to be stretched, punctured to the point that you can step beyond the parameters that you would normally have seen, that limited your thinking.” Jeff

“When I do the day to day chores, taking the kids to school, getting meals cooked, the same meals I’ve cooked before, I don’t think you are very aware of your state of mind, you are a sort of zombie at the time, just functioning. [Most people are unconscious, not really awake?] Been there!” Liz

“Worrying about things or whatever. Business world is so full of worries, competition, pressure in my daily life that is involuntary.” Mary

“Not being able to surrender, too much stress to relax. No spontaneity. Mostly, it is what is my own inhibitions. [The zone] helps you to be free in life. Life would be boring, lifeless, not as creative, no joy. Can’t imagine life without it.” Robin

“Many people are worried about outside appearance. In waking state, you are noticing things. Once you notice any one thing, then it cuts out everything else, everything becomes a blur. You forget about where you are standing. Yes, you become segmented.” Aaron

“Thinking. If not following the breath, then thinking – it fractures the awakening.” Tom

“In normal everyday state you go through mechanistic behaviors. You are not thinking about what you are doing, you almost feel robotic. Doing rituals all day long. You aren’t aware of what you are doing, or how you are doing it or what the universe around you is doing. In the zone, you all of a sudden become aware.” Arleen

“Can’t experience the zone in everyday life because no way to challenge self while being relaxed. Not much challenge going on there, most of it is fairly routine, done before kind of stuff. [People get locked in by paradigms which prevents them from experiencing the zone?] Yes, I see examples of that all the time [gave example].” Brad

Question 5: Wakefulness: One question asked of all co-researchers was: “Do you feel more awake and alive during your experience of the zone or during everyday waking state? Describe the differences between the two.”

Co-Researcher Responses

More awake, more alive in the zone – 100% positive responses

“During the zone experience for sure, there is no thought cluttering anything, you are so present, you are at one with, with the equipment, waves, motion, all of that together. You are one, so alive that you don’t need to think about being alive.” Brad

“I can say that I feel more alive, because I am expressing more and being more creative.” Chris

“Only during the zone, otherwise feel like I am doing just mechanical stuff.” Frank

“In the zone definitely. The difference is huge.” Liz

“Definitely in the zone. There is not anything outside that experience that makes me as happy as that experience.” Mary

“Much more during experience of the zone. In the zone, is where I want to be all the time.” Robin

“More awake and aware during the zone.” Tom

Question 6: Benefits – Are there any immediate and long term benefits related to the regular exposure to the zone through physical activities as noted previously in the literature? Figure 15 indicates the percentage of the ten co-researchers expressing the experience of each of the constituents regarding the benefits of their regular and long-term experience of the zone. Note: This is in addition to the carryover of deautomatization indicated by a heightened perception presented above.

Co-Researcher Responses

Positive Affect – 100%

Taoist acceptance – 90%

Motivation to increase frequency – 90%

Self-acceptance – 100%

Health benefits – 100%

Enhanced Performance – 80%

Creativity -100%

Ego-transcendence – 90%

Fully Present – 80%

Loss of Inhibition – 90%

Heightened Body Awareness – 50%

Oneness – 50%

Reverence – 20%

[Does the feeling of oneness from the zone carryover too?] “Yes. I’ve noticed that afterwards all the circulation heightened in my body. I can feel the energy. I’ve noticed that people are magnetized to me . . . . It is like I am expanding out that positive field and it goes out and comes back.” Aaron

“Younger attitude. An ability to look at things in fresh ways and not get stuck again.” Arleen

“Overwhelming excitement, just in the guts. Energetic and relaxed. I have had this experience for a very long time, most of my adult life and perhaps have partially stabilized this zone state in life. [Note: His wife was present during the interview and made the following comment: He has changed as a result of the experience – more aware, conscious, less mindless and he probably doesn’t notice because he has been doing it for so long.]” Brad

“One would be the more I dance, the more available I am. I feel good about myself. Feel good in my body. I feel more comfortable expressing myself verbally. These are definitely long-term benefits. It has opened me up. Dancing has helped me not get in the depressive state.” Chris

“I just feel like it is time well spent. Like you touched something in yourself, um, that lifts you above and out of your everyday life, but yet confirms the best part of you. I feel like I was dead until I discovered the zone.” Frank

“I think my health both physically and mentally. Just the memory of the zone makes me feel better. I have an attitude reinforced by those experiences of confidence. This carries over. I notice that I have a heightened level of commitment which I attribute to the zone.” Jeff

“Definitely feel short-term effects, that are real strong. It does make you more joyous. I think it carries on in how you treat people. In the long run, it helps you spiritually, it broadens your awareness of yourself. I have asthma and I don’t take medication because I’ve learned through reaching the zone, a lot of it is talking to myself, I have taught myself how to calm myself down.” Liz

“Serious happiness. More relaxation physically. More secure about dealing with life, problems that seemed mountains before are molehills now. I would think that I would be more of a negative, depressed and skeptical person if I didn’t have regular bouts of being in the zone.” Mary

“Think clearly, grounded. A stamina I didn’t expect. I feel good in every way. Less inhibited. Feeling more open and generous, at one with everything. Spirit is more strong. More comfortable with who I am. Life would be dull without it.” Robin

“Awakening.” Tom

Question 7: Examining Maslow’s premise and research that those who regularly have peak experiences will exhibit characteristics of self-actualizing individuals, do the co-researchers report experiences as a result of the zone which support this premise (consistent with Maslow’s list of 12 self-actualizing characteristics) (1970)? Note: Co-researchers were asked to respond with ‘yes’ and ‘no’ responses to the 12 item checklist of self-actualizing characteristics.

Twelve Item Checklist of Self-Actualizing Characteristics

The data indicates that 100% of co-researchers responded affirmatively to the self-actualizing characteristics in the checklist, on items 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9,10, 11 and 12. The responses to these items indicate that all co-researchers believed that the regular experience of the zone contributed to these long-term benefits. Additionally, 90% of co-researchers responded affirmatively to items 6 and 8. 80% responded affirmatively to item #4. Overall, results indicate that a significant majority of co-researchers believed the regular experience of the zone contributed to certain long-term benefits, specifically the development of the 12 characteristics associated with self-actualizing individuals as identified previously by Maslow (1970).

Question 7: Are there any immediate and long-term benefits related to the regular exposure to the zone through physical activities? Examining Maslow’s premise and

research that those who regularly have peak experiences will exhibit characteristics of self-actualizing individuals, do the co-researchers report experiences as a result of the zone which support this premise? Results of this study lend support for Maslow’s premise and suggest that there are immediate and long-term benefits related to the regular exposure to the zone.

Co-Researcher Responses

Item # 1 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 2 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 3 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 4 YYYYY*N*YY – 70%

Item # 5 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 6 YYYYY*YYY – 90%

Item # 7 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 8 YYYYY*YYY – 90%

Item # 9 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 10 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 11 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

Item # 12 YYYYYYYYY – 100%

• Emergent Constituents

Two “emergent” constituents were identified from the interviews that had not been derived previously from the literature. These constituents were found to be represented by 100% of the co-researchers.

Under the fundamental category of necessary conditions, 100% of co-researchers reported ‘cessation of thought’ as an essential condition for entering the zone. All co-researchers indicated that the experience of the zone was accompanied by a cessation of everyday thought processes. Most co-researchers indicated that thinking about the experience during the activity quickly terminated the experience of the zone for them. As one co-researcher (Brad) commented, “there is no time and the field is moving, the minute the board begins to accelerate, thought has to be done with, and you have to be competent enough from that instant on to not think about what you are doing or where you are going” (Appendix A).

While Csikszentmihalyi did not identify this as a specific category, he had on numerous occasions mentioned the necessity for cessation of thought during the experience of “flow”. He stated, “concentration is so intense that there is no attention left over to think about anything irrelevant, or to worry about problems”. He associated this intense focus of attention with an overall reduction in mental effort in his studies (1990). While suspension of cognitive functioning was included in the condition of ‘concentration’ by Csikszentmihalyi (reported by 100% of co-researchers in this study), it was not specifically associated with the embodied total attention experience since his studies encompassed non-physical activities as well.

Cessation of thought then is being considered an emergent constituent in this study because this specific condition was deemed essential to enter the zone through physical activities by all co-researchers in this study. Thus, while this constituent could be perhaps subsumed within Csikszentmihalyi’s six necessary conditions, it was considered worthy of additional emphasis in this study of the zone.

• Excerpts:

“It happens without conscious thought. Any conscious thought about getting in the zone and I don’t think you can be there because again you put thought in front of where you are trying to go and it doesn’t work. During the zone experience for sure, there is no thought cluttering anything, you are so present, you are one with the equipment, waves, motion, all of that together. It takes a bit of fear to get it going. And the internal chatter disappears entirely. [Is it the fear or challenge that shuts down the conscious mind?] Yes, I do think so. It may have to so with flight or fight, that survival thing, where all of a sudden, you are so present, that you are part of it.” Brad

“For me, the challenge is to calm the mind down, because just from activity, thoughts are constantly coming like a river and you want to get it like a pond. It is not easy to calm the mind down with no thoughts.” Aaron

“When you are really good at something, you get into a wave pattern, a vibration, and your body just moves with it. You don’t even have to think about the way your body is moving, it just does it.” Arleen

“My mind kind of goes into a different state, it is not intellectualizing or thinking, the way I would normally think about things. It just goes into a state that is free flowing with whatever is happening. When I performed, if I started thinking, I lose it. I completely forget what the hell I’m doing and I mess up.” Chris

“My head is gone. It seems to me that what really brings me more into the zone is when my body is involved. Otherwise, I’m out of my body. When I’m really alive, I’m in my body.” Frank

“You focus simply on tap and it clears your mind of all other thoughts. It cleared your mind of the negative thoughts.” Liz

“I don’t think in these times.” Robin

“Essentially to stop thinking. First you cultivate it, becomes easier, reqroove brain, it is never over, always a journey. Thinking is always one step behind. If not following breath, then thinking – it fractures the awakening. Thinking is always a form of fear, worry, etc. Limitations are from thought. Thinking compartmentalizes, gets us stuck, limits you, splits you off from experience. Gets us lost in hope or fear which removes us from the one-pointedness.” Tom

• Benefits: Reference to carryover of zone experience into everyday life/breakdown of paradigm paralysis – 100% of co-researchers identified this as an additional constituent of their regular experience of the zone.

“It seems like the more frequently you experience it, the higher the probability that it will transcend into your normal everyday life and that behavior will extend itself more consistently than it would than if you experienced it every once in a while.” Jeff

“People who experience it want to experience it because they know what it is and want to make it happen more often. It teaches me more all the time. [Expanded sense of self carries over then?] Yes, definitely. [If in the zone you are contacting true self, then the more you do, the more it stabilizes?] I do believe that. I think that is true.” Liz

“Its changed my whole awareness of myself as a creative person. Now its spilled over and I find myself building a whole life around being in the zone and being creative and living from that space. It is spreading definitely. It is contagious. . . . the more you go into the zone, your body gets accustomed to living out of that space. . . . you get information about your real self through these activities, and sooner or later your whole life is changed around because you based it around something real, self-actualizing, rather than something you do.” Frank

“You have to have some kind of concentration, a grounding in being in the zone. Once you identify it, then you can find different ways of entering it. [when they come out of the zone into everyday waking state, they see where they are not being themselves?] Exactly.” Aaron

“I have had small, expanding insights. The most positive thing that I get from this is the ability to shift my awarenesses and thinking so that when I am in everyday life, I don’t get stuck. You don’t get stuck in ideologies that can pin you and enslave you. Of perceptions that can pin you and enslave you. I think it [the zone] gives you the ability to move out of those traps.” Arleen

“I think there is an overall expanded awareness, but I’ve been with it so long that I don’t notice it anymore. Its who I am now. My awareness is expanded through that [the zone]. Try to bring it up in regular conversation and most people would see you as off center. No, you guys are all off center. Centered is the place!” Brad

“[Do you find it easier to enter the zone more quickly and frequently and in other situations?] Yes. Everywhere. Particularly in my relationships, in how I relate and in the work I do. It makes me realize how happy I am. In particular, across the whole

board, it breaks down any biases. My experience is that stuff comes out of my dancing that I didn’t expect would come out, like connections that I haven’t been able to make. [gives example] So once I realized all this, yeah it was a huge realization. After that, my dancing, my movement changed a lot. It opened me up, my body became more free. One [benefit] would be the more I dance, the more available I am.” Chris

[Entering the zone stabilizes this state?] “I would think that is true. Certainly you feel more powerful, maybe after a while you self-actualize.” Mary

“Yes, long term benefit – feel better about self, much clearer perception, view of life. I surrender more quickly in situations that I didn’t use to. Limitations are lightened, more comfortable. Less inhibited. Feeling more open and generous, at one with everything. Spirit is more strong. The more I experience it, the easier it becomes in other areas of life. [Experience of true self and this infuses into life and thus limitations begin to be obvious?] Those things that aren’t you certainly seem to become more obvious.” Robin

“Yes, it becomes easier to awaken each time or in other situations. [long term benefits?] Awakening.” Tom

Discussion of Results

1. Descriptions of the Zone. Eight of the fourteen constituents were reported by 100% of the co-researchers. These were: a) openness; b) fully present; c) loss of inhibition; d) intensity; e) effortlessness; f) insights; g) peak performance; and h) ineffability. In addition, 80% of co-researchers indicated an experience of an altered sense of time and a heightened body awareness. 70% of co-researchers reported transience, though the remaining 30% could be inferred from the transcribed interviews, but were not mentioned specifically. Half (50%) of co-researchers mentioned the constituent creativity, while only 40% mentioned illumination and reverence as characteristic of their experience of the zone.

It must be kept in mind that the approach in this study was an open-ended format, thus allowing co-researchers to discuss their experience of the zone in their own words without questions being asked that directed comments to specific constituents. With this unstructured, open-ended format, still eight out of the fourteen constituents were reported by 100% of co-researchers. Of the remaining constituents of the zone experience, an additional 3 out of 14 constituents were reported by a significant percentage of the co-researchers. Only 3 of the constituents of the zone experience were at average or below. What is interesting to note is while creativity only represented a 50% response, 100% of co-researchers indicated that enhanced creativity was an aftereffect of the regular experience of the zone.

Two constituents regarding descriptions of the zone experience were examined separately.

1a. Ego-transcendence. 100% of co-researchers reported experiencing ego-transcendence during the zone. Specific references were made to a merging, a loss of self or self-forgetfulness.

1b. Transpersonal Self. 100% of co-researchers reported an experience of the transpersonal self which included references to contacting the true self, union or oneness, an enlarged state of awareness, expansion of consciousness, experience of Being or references to a higher state of consciousness, as cosmic consciousness.

The first research question examined in this study was: Is the experience of the zone, achieved through various athletic activities, similar in description to what has been found in the literature regarding peak experiences or total attention experiences in general? Is the experience consistent with descriptions of ego-transcendence and the experience of the transpersonal self? The results of this study suggest that descriptions of the zone are similar to the descriptions of the total attention experience found in the literature, at least in terms of 11 of the 14 constituents plus the two additional constituents – ego-transcendence and the transpersonal self. Thus, 13 of the 16 possible constituents examined were represented by an above average percentage (70 to 100%) of co-researchers. The experience of the zone would appear to be a total attention experience and that physical activities (subject to the necessary conditions) would appear to be a valid vehicle for precipitating this total attention state.

2. Necessary Conditions. All but one of the six constituents regarding the necessary conditions to precipitate the total attention state were reported by 100% of co-researchers. These included: total attention, merging with experience, control, immediate feedback and autotelic. The remaining constituent was reported by 7 out of 10 co-researchers. However, as can be seen by excerpts, those seven who reported a necessary match between challenge and skills indicated it was clearly essential for precipitating the experience of the zone.

Concerning the three co-researchers who did not respond ‘yes’ to the challenge/skills match condition, each were clearly skilled practitioners in their particular discipline and were also actively involved in perfecting these skills. They had also each responded ‘yes’ to the initial screening question – “Have you experienced moments that allow you to feel that you are pushing the limits of your potential?”. It is possible that either they were not able to relate to this challenge component as a condition, though this conclusion is more doubtful or that it was such a fundamental constituent that they took it for granted as being a component of the experience. Perhaps it was not as prominent in their experience as the other conditions. While arriving at the experience of the zone which has been equated with the cessation of thought, they did not necessarily perceive living on the edge as paramount to achieving this experience. Two of these co-researchers, both involved in meditation (Tai Chi and Zazen), viewed the real challenge as calming the mind and indicated one-pointedness as the real goal. The other co-researcher was highly skilled in dance, but indicated as the others that the real challenge was to let go of intellectualizing and thinking and again did not report the challenge dimension. Instead she communicated as a necessary condition, striving to be as creatively expressive as possible, which sounds very much like pushing the limits of performance.

The second research question in this study was: Is this experience repeatable? In other words, what are the necessary conditions required to enter the zone on a regular basis, specifically during athletic activities? It was expected that the conditions that have been found by Csikszentmihalyi in previous studies (1975, 1990) to precipitate the total attention experience would be confirmed in this investigation. The data offers additional support for these conditions, including the match between challenge and skills (represented by 70% percent of respondents).

3. Deautomatization. 100% of co-researchers reported an experience of deautomatization as indicated by the constituent of heightened perception which included references to a shift in perception towards an enhanced vividness and clarity, a freshness of appreciation, an increased richness of perception, an all encompassing, total absorption in the experience, heightening of all the senses, illumination or brightness and an altered perception of time and space.

3a. Deautomatization Carryover. 100% of respondents reported a carryover of the experience of deautomatization into everyday waking state after their experience of the zone, as indicated by reference to heightened perception.

The third research question in this study was: Is the experience of being in the zone accompanied by deautomatization, as characterized by a heightening of perception, similar to what has been found in previous studies? Additionally, do these perceptual changes carry over into everyday waking consciousness?

The data suggests that an experience of the zone is accompanied by a deautomatization of perception both during and after the experience. Previous literature on this subject has indicated that the total attention experience precipitates a heightening of perception in contrast with everyday waking state. These results would suggest support for this view. However, it is also important to note that whereas in previous studies, the total attention experience was correlated with deautomatization, the results of this study suggest that the effects carryover into everyday waking state after the experience.

4. Paradigm Paralysis. 4 out of the 7 constituents were reported by 100% of the co-researchers. These 4 constituents were: mindlessness, limited expression, pessimistic bias and specific symptoms which have been correlated with this condition in the literature, such as feelings of boredom, sameness, emptiness, meaninglessness, identity confusion, alienation, insecurity, stagnation, loneliness, estrangement, depression, anxiety, restlessness, and a general lack of energy, vitality and passion in life. Additionally, 2 constituents, rubricized perception and the persona were represented by 90% of co-researchers. Waking sleep, the last constituent, was reported by 80% of co-researchers.

The fourth research question in this study was: Can those who regularly experience the zone through physical activities provide insight into the existence and functioning of paradigm paralysis? In particular, as a result of experiencing the zone can co-researchers notice the presence of and changes in the predominant paradigms in their life, in other words, notice more objectively the operation of certain limiting mindsets, beliefs, and views in their life? It appears from the results that the majority of co-researchers could not only relate to the content of this question, but were able to offer insights into the functioning of paradigm paralysis in their own lives. Results suggest that the regular experience of the zone may offer co-researchers an advantage point from which they can look back on their own everyday lives and perhaps notice personal limiting mindsets, views or beliefs (paradigms) operating in their lives. An investigation of this data along with interview excerpts supports the hypotheses posed by numerous investigators regarding the equivalence between waking state of consciousness and waking sleep. Clearly, more research is needed to help clarify this distinction, however, these preliminary results suggest that it is possible to “awaken” (in the words of one co-researcher), to gain insights into that which inhibits the fuller expression of human capabilities and the authentic self in life.

Co-researchers also reported that the regular experience of ego-transcendence became easier not only during subsequent participation in their particular discipline, but also began to be experienced in other areas of their lives, that the effect apparently carried over. This lends additional support for this view.

5. Benefits. Of the 14 constituents identified in this fundamental category, 5 were reported by 100% of the co-researchers. These were: positive affect, self-acceptance, health benefits, openness, and more creativity. An additional 4 constituents were reported by 90% of co-researchers, these being: Taoist acceptance, motivation to increase frequency, ego-transcendence and loss of inhibition. 80% of co-researchers indicated 2 more constituents: fully present and enhanced performance. An average response (50%) was obtained regarding heightened body awareness and oneness, while 20% of respondents indicated an experience of reverence after the zone.

The zone appears to offer additional benefits beyond the experience itself. If the zone truly is a total attention experience, precipitated by various physical activities, then it would be expected to offer similar benefits to that found in the literature regarding peak experiences in general. The results in this study indicate that this is the case as 11 of the 14 constituents were reported by an above average percentage (80% or above) of co-researchers.

It is interesting to note that only 5 out of 10 co-researchers reported a heightened body awareness as an aftereffect of the regular zone experience. Since the zone by definition is a total attention experience facilitated through physical activities, one could expect that this percentage would be higher. This would also be expected since 80% of co-researchers indicated heightened body awareness when describing the zone. However, as mentioned earlier, the interviewees were not directed to specific constituents and were left to describe these benefits in their own way. A follow-up survey directed specifically to this and the other two constituents (oneness and reverence) may solicit more specific responses and offer additional confirmation for these benefits of the zone experience.

5a. Twelve Item Checklist of Self-Actualizing Characteristics.

The fifth research question in this study was: Are there any immediate and long-term benefits related to the regular exposure to the zone through physical activities? Examining Maslow’s premise and research that those who regularly have peak experiences will exhibit characteristics of self-actualizing individuals, do the co-researchers report experiences as a result of the zone which support this premise? Results of this study lend support for Maslow’s premise and suggest that there are immediate and long-term benefits related to the regular exposure to the zone.

Emergent constituents. As mentioned in the methods section, co-researcher comments provided both during and after the interview were analyzed to determine appropriate placement in the fundamental categories and specific constituents. Any themes that emerged from all ten interviews that did not appear to fit into particular categories were evaluated further for consideration as an emergent constituent. Two emergent constituents were identified in this study.

The second emergent constituent, a carryover of the zone experience/breakdown in paradigm paralysis, under the category of benefits, was reported by 100% of co-researchers. In addition to providing confirmation for the premise that those who have transcended everyday waking state while in the zone have insights into the presence and functioning of paradigm paralysis, a contention supported by numerous investigators, it would appear that the co-researchers have also experienced a carryover of these insights and corresponding weakening of the limiting mindsets associated with paradigm paralysis. This could be considered an additional long-term benefit of the regular exposure to the zone. In fact, this may be a significant benefit. If the premise in this study, supported by psychological and physiological research, that most people live in a waking sleep is true, then that which provides for people the opportunity to “wake up”, represents a breakthrough in and of itself.

Based on results in this study, that the effects consistent with a breakdown in the parameters of paradigm paralysis carryover into life offers more support for the beneficial effects of the zone experience in terms of recapturing mindfulness or wakefulness in daily life. As Arleen stated, “the most positive thing that I get from this [the zone] is the ability to shift my awarenesses and thinking so that when I am in everyday life, I don’t get stuck”. Another co-researcher indicated, “it’s changed my whole awareness of myself as a creative person. Now it’s spilled over and I find myself building a whole life around being in the zone and being creative and living from that space. It is spreading definitely. It is contagious” (Frank).

It would seem that the experience during the zone carries over and is considered highly beneficial. The zone may actually represent a particular methodology for self-actualization, as some had suggested in this course.

Doctoral Dissertation by Richard Roberts, PhD.

In the Zone: Suspension of Paradigm Paralysis and Self Actualization. An Exploratory Study of Embodied Total Attentional States.

Doctoral Dissertation By Richard L. Roberts

ABSTRACT

RESULTS

Presentation of Data

Discussion of Results

5a. Twelve Item Checklist of Self-Actualizing Characteristics.