Power Tool: Source vs. Sink

A Coaching Power Tool created by Pujitha Silva
(Life Coaching, AUSTRALIA)

FLOW – vital for Physiology

Living organisms rely on a system of fluid flow to maintain vital physiological functions essential for healthy living. Our digestive, circulatory, homeostatic, respiratory and reproductive systems rely on fluid flow, be it water or air to maintain effective functioning. In the skeletal system fluid flow plays an important role in the load bearing properties of the bones (known as hard tissues) as does in the muscle system (Melissa L. Knothe Tate, 2010). Flow takes place into the tissue to provide it with nutrients, oxygen and flow takes place out of it carrying the by-products or the waste from activities within the tissues. This exchange of fluid to and from the tissue is essential to maintain health of the tissue or organ.

The management of fluid flow is a complex process that is neurological in nature and facilitated by enzymes and hormones whose role is to regulate, redirect and redistribute as the case might be. The healthy body has the ability to regulate flow to the appropriate organs, as a way of prioritising functions in the body. For this reason, blood is drained from certain parts of the body and directed to regions that require them the most. Flow is increased into muscles during physical activity and drained from sexual organs. Similarly preferential blood flow occurs into to digesting food following a meal and drained out from other areas that are non-essential. In summary, the normal physiological functioning of a body requires a constant state of fluid FLOW.

From Physiology to Psychology

What is true and accepted as normal FLOW physiologically, is also true of living organisms psychologically, especially the higher order organisms with a central nervous system. Understanding the normal physiological functioning of our body allows us to appreciate normal psychological function of the body involving our emotions.

The equivalent of fluid FLOW physiologically is FLOW directed by emotions. In humans, the FLOW of our emotions controls our emotional health and needs to be regulated as such in order to maintain a state of emotional wellbeing. Our level of emotional energy determines our level of engagement or disengagement from activities and in some cases life itself. Flow of emotional energy into us, energises us (Positive FLOW) and flow of energy out of us drain us (Negative FLOW). This emotional exchange keeps a person in a state of engagement with life and in a state of healthy FLOW.

To grow emotionally, we need to be both receiving and giving out or expressing healthy emotions (e.g. Love, affirmation, encouragement). When the flow is interrupted or absent we become anxious, stressed, sad, depressed, angry, resentful, and revengeful, which can ultimately lead to physical symptoms of diseases such as high blood pressure, constipation, ulcers, rashes or can even escalate to heart attacks or strokes. In fact, physical symptoms are often a sign of a disruption of flow at an emotional level (sometimes spiritual level) and hence need to be brought into the right balance.

Hence the design of this power tool called “FLOW: SOURCE and SINK” is based on maintaining a balance between emotional energy flowing into and out of a person in order.

FLOW System Explained

The flow system is explained below (Figure 1), identifying the main constituent components.

Figure 1: FLOW system explained

SOURCE

Sources are the suppliers and sinks are what consumes or drains a subject of energy. Flow will occur across a positive pressure gradient (i.e high to low) from the source into the subject or from a subject into the sink. The arrows indicate a channel of a size and proportion that can help facilitate FLOW to and away from the subject.

In the absence of a source, the subject can remain in a state of drain or lack, which can be detrimental if not fatal, as would be if a person is deprived of air, food or water. Similarly a person can be emotionally deprived or drained in the absence of a source or a means of replenishment.