Beyond Flow

Research Focus

We explore how internationally recognized artists experience creativity, suggesting that traditional Flow Theory does not fully account for their most significant moments. Through a qualitative analysis of 140 interviews with master musicians, dancers, and creators, we identifie six recurring dimensions: presence, discipline, surrender, participation, emergence, and transformation. While presence and discipline establish a foundation of mastery, themes like surrender and participation highlight a shift from individual control to a relational connection with the work. We emphasize that creativity is often an emergent process where ideas manifest through action rather than prior planning. We propose an expanded framework that views creativity as a transformative and participatory phenomenon rather than just a solitary cognitive achievement.