Publisher's Synopsis
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
