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Abstract
Flow theory has been aimed at understanding the phenomenology of intrinsic motivation and has generated wide areas of research (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).
Though Csikszentmihalyi (2002) reported that the experiences of flow tend to be universal, yet he proposed that people may vary widely in the frequency with which it was felt. Giftedness is seen as anachronistic development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. In similar vein it is estimated that Creatively Gifted individuals by virtue of their advanced cognitive abilities and heightened sensitivity levels would have a greater propensity to experience both flow state and mindfulness. Mindfulness is regarded not as the achievement of any specific state, but as premeditated awareness of what is, being aware of awareness. Attaining a state of flow precedes attaining that of mindfulness i.e. a state of complete attention focusing. The present study was designed to assess the differences in the degree of Flow state and Mindfulness experienced by the Creatively Gifted and the Average Creative ability group. TTCT by Torrance (1990) was used to screen the creatively gifted and the average creatives. Scores on Flow State and Mindfulness were assessed using the Flow State Scale by Jackson and Marsh (1996) and Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory by Walach et al. (2001) respectively. Results from One way analysis of variance point towards significant variations in Flow state and Mindfulness amongst the two groups.