The Interplay between Flow States in Music Listening Experiences and Self-Actualisation: An Autoethnography of a Queer Music Educator

Abstract

Queer individuals in music education often face challenges hindering their well-being and fulfilment, with the term 'queer' serving as a  reclaimed identity within the LGBTQ+ community, symbolising resilience against societal adversity. As a gay music educator, I personally  identify with this term, finding support within my community. Through promoting self-actualisation, I have discovered personal meaning,  emphasising continuous self-growth and authenticity. Research indicates that profound music listening experiences facilitate  self-actualisation by evoking flow states that include positive emotions, peak experiences, and transcendence. While literature explores  music's impact on well-being, further investigation is needed to understand their complex intersections. This study delves into the  interplay between flow states, positive emotions, and peak experiences in music listening, and sheds light on the novel application of  autoethnography as method and its capacity to generate new knowledge. As the primary data source, my unique position as a classically  trained musician and researcher enhances the study's authenticity. Three main themes emerged: features of strong music listening  experiences, music and emotion, and the pursuit of self-actualisation.