The Artist's State of Mind: A Guide to Accessing the Flow State Through Mastery of Your Chosen Craft

A Guide to Accessing the Flow State Through Mastery of Your Chosen Craft "Australian-born author and songwriter Jax Pax has thought deeply about what happens when we stretch ourselves to the limits of our ability and how it pays off in both quality of performance and enjoyment of what we're doing. He shares more practical wisdom than many much longer books. Whether you're an artist or a craftsperson, or you want to approach whatever you do with that kind of attention and care, read The Artist's State of Mind: A Guide to Accessing the Flow State Through Mastery of Your Chosen Craft slowly and reflectively. Its relaxed prose will speak to you with insights and strategies you can apply immediately to achieve mastery of your work and yourself." Gary Gute Creativity and Flow Researcher "The Artist's State of Mind by Jax Pax delivers on its title and more. It's short enough to read in one sitting, but I took a few weeks with it because I admired it as a sound introduction to how artists prepare for their best work, then carry through. Concise. Thoughtful. The author has consolidated lessons from longer works to simplify them for anyone desiring mastery, but this book is particularly friendly to beginners. Pax's observations and insights as a songwriter showcase songwriting as a metaphor for all sorts of creative skills. Read the table of contents and you'll know if it's for you. I liked it. It reminded me how much attitude affects the work, and that artists can choose a state of mind that calls up creativity." Marshall Vandruff Art Teacher and Illustrator Table of Contents Introduction Flow What is Flow? Mastery and Flow Genius is Not Innate The Growth Mindset Practice Motivation How to Practice Starting the Fire Reaching Integrity Some Thoughts on Mentors Foundations of The Flow State Relaxation and Homeostasis Small Things The Relationship Between Relaxation and Concentration Patience Beginner's Mind and the Symbolic Mental Image Non-Striving Keeping Up with the Joneses: The Game of One-Up-Manship Non-Striving Open Awareness Detachment from the Master Identity Effortless Action Acceptance Synergy Creativity Introduction The Apprenticeship Phase The Tinkering Phase The Incubation Phase Insight Roadblocks to Mastery Anger and Frustration Pigeon-Holing Sophistication The Past Instruction Social Authority Aversion to Solitude The Final Foundation of Flow Non-Duality Contact Recommended Resources Acknowledgements

Author: Jax Pax

Publisher: Independently Published

Publication Date: November 21, 2019

Number of Pages: 191 pages

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1708796622

ISBN-13: 9781708796624