Jeanne Nakamura and Csíkszentmihályi identify the following six factors as encompassing an experience of flow:[10]

1. Intense and focused concentration on the present moment
2. Merging of action and awareness
3. A loss of reflective self-consciousness
4. A sense of personal control or agency over the situation or activity
5. A distortion of temporal experience, as one's subjective experience of time is altered
6. Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding, also referred to as autotelic experience

Flow theory postulates that three conditions must be met to achieve flow:

• The activity must have clear goals and progress. This establishes structure and direction.

  [26]

• The task must provide clear and immediate feedback. This helps to negotiate any changing demands and allows adjusting performance to maintain the flow state.

  [26]

• Good balance is required between the perceived challenges of the task and one's perceived skills. Confidence in the ability to complete the task is required.

See and note the differences:

State of Consciousness

Altered State of Consciousness

Trance