You and your roomie had an interesting debate going on there which, as you stated, could have gone on forever had s/he not conceded that at base the attainment of knowledge was an acceptable Buddhist goal. However, what strikes me about the Goal to Flow question is, "What constitutes a goal?" For instance, it appears that you and your friend did not see eye to eye on a definition of goal. Of course if you are walking your goal is to walk, otherwise you would be sitting. In our Western culture, pervaded with lists, schedules, calendars, deadlines and hurry, hurry, hurry--our concept of a goal is a desire that has a set timeframe for completion. The Buddhist tradition denounces parameters in favor of a comparable epoche in which experience is greater than belief, desire, or (triviality of trivialities) time. Therefore perhaps for a Buddhist monk playing a game of chess "Flow" is more easily attained because of the demarcation of event and experience. In fact, I believe that "Flow" as most creatives interpret it is less about trying to reach a goal and more about flowing effortlessly from one moment to the next. The avid instrumentalist does not achieve flow because he is thinking about the next note he wants to hit or the end of the song or the next song he will play, but because he is so entrenched in every single note that pours forth that he loses track of the fact that this too shall end. In the same way, as a painter, I find flow riveting when I focus less on the art of geting a portrait's nose right and fall more deeply into the muscle remembered techniques of brushstrokes and the retina sparking familiar colors. Invariably, I would concur with your room mate. I have to say that Flow is much more about the experience than it is a means to an end.

I just read the book "Flow" on the recommendation of my therapist.I was having trouble finding pleasure in day to day life and was stuck in a dangerous pattern of seeking out physical and mental "highs." I found the book to be very interesting and it inspired me to take the time to observe my own surroundings ( the sensation of the keys on the keyboard when I type, the slight hunger in my belly as I near dinner time.) Life is a much richer experience when you take the time to be in a moment and ironically wind up losing yourself in the moment. This absorbtion is what I believe to be "the process." The book also suggests that goals can only accomodate this enjoyable "process" if they are challanging yet achievable. I set a goal for running a 5k. This was a challange but very obtainable and as my body became used to the sensation of running and I neared closer to my goal, I lost myself in that described "runner's zone." Once I achieved the 5k, I set a goal for a 10k. If you don't set out to run a marathon but to achieve smaller goals, you may just wind up running that marathon and actually enjoying it while you run it. I'm not a buddist but I have heard that buddists seek inner peace. This is a huge goal, so they set smaller goals for meditation and practice, ultimately believing that they can someday achieve inner peace. This sounds no different to me than my goals for running albeit much more impressive.

BY CONSTANTIVE CAVAFY, ALEXANDRIA 1911

As you set out on your journey to Ithaki,
wish that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops
the angry Poseidon don’t be afraid,
you will never meet these in your way
if your thoughts are raised high,
if a fine emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you don’t carry them within you,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Wish that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many when,
with such pleasure, such joy,
you enter ports never seen before;
Stop at the Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
As many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who know.

Always keep Ithaki in your mind.
Arriving there is your destination.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years
And you are old when you anchor on the island,
rich with all you have gained along your way,
Not expecting Ithaki to offer you treasures.

Ithaki gave you the beautiful journey.
Without her you wouldn’t have set out.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaki has not deceived you.

Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must have already understood what Ithakes means.

I tend to agree more with ur point of view here rather than ur frndz...

Even whn v go 2 a garden there is some goal behind it...may b to unwind, enjoy nature or just take a walk. Is it possible that you have a goal but you dont realise it?

But I beg to differ from what you say about Buddhism. I am a member of Soka gakkai International (SGI) which is a world peace organisation propagating buddhist teachings...and we are all for setting goals in life both materialistic/spiritual and achieving them and reporting our victories day after day.