Faith in the Zone: A Review of the Effect of Religiosity on Flow State

Abstract

The phenomenon called ‘flow’ entered the lexicon of positive psychology in the 20th century. Conceived as the optimal experience of human life, it has gathered widespread attention among scholars to study its role in enhancing mental well-being. The interplay of individual traits and the immediate environment that elicits the flow is analogous to a time-immemorial construct: religion. Research indicates that religious practices such as rituals and meditation are conducive to the flow state, as well as contributing to similar outcomes such as shared meaning and belongingness. The present paper reviews the existing qualitative and quantitative literature concerning the two concepts, unravelling the web they weave together in creating meaningful engagement in daily life.