When Science Meets Spirit: How Flow States Align Mind, Body, and Purpose

October 2025, Juan Luis Jordan

When the Mind Steps Aside: How I Discovered the Link Between My Subconscious, Flow States, and the Pineal–Thymus Connection

For a long time, I had a peculiar habit I couldn’t explain. Whenever I was about to face a tough set in the gym—pushing for a new personal record (PR) on the chest press or trying to overcome a physical barrier—I would instinctively press or tap the area between my eyebrows, right where the forehead meets the start of the nose bridge. Other times, before a heavy lift, I’d hit my chest lightly with my fist, almost like a ritual to summon focus and inner power.

I didn’t know why I did it. It wasn’t a breathing technique I learned from a coach or a method I picked up in meditation—it was pure instinct. Yet every time I did it, something inside me shifted: my mind went silent, my breathing deepened, and a surge of clarity and strength spread through my body. In those moments, I felt completely present—like my body and mind were merging into one single purpose: to overcome the limit in front of me.

The Hidden Intelligence of the Subconscious

It wasn’t until years later that I began studying neuroscience, flow psychology, and bioenergetics, and realized that what I was doing had a very real explanation.

The point I used to press on my forehead lies near the pineal gland—often called the third eye, a center of perception, rhythm, and light regulation. And the area I instinctively struck on my chest sits right over the thymus gland, a key bridge between our immune system and emotional energy.

It fascinated me that my body already knew what my mind didn’t. Sometimes our subconscious has access to the body’s deeper intelligence—it knows how to regulate, stimulate, or release energy long before we consciously understand why. It’s like a hidden guidance system whispering through movement, preparing us for moments when we need to break through both physical resistance and mental barriers.

The Pineal Gland and the Science of Flow

The pineal gland is not just a mystical concept; it’s a real neuroendocrine organ responsible for secreting melatonin and regulating circadian rhythms. When activated through focused breathing, visualization, or physical pressure, it can shift our brainwaves from high-frequency beta (stress and analysis) into alpha and theta, which are deeply meditative and creative states—the same brainwave patterns seen in flow states.

In these moments, a process called transient hypofrontality occurs—the prefrontal cortex temporarily quiets down, silencing the voice of doubt, fear, and self-judgment. You stop thinking about how to do something and simply do it. Time slows down, movement feels effortless, and intuition takes over.

When I connected this science to my habit of stimulating that point between my eyes, everything made sense. Unconsciously, I had been triggering a neurological shift toward flow, silencing my analytical mind and allowing instinct to lead—exactly what’s needed when lifting beyond your comfort zone.

The Thymus: Awakening the Heart’s Intelligence

The thymus gland, just behind the breastbone, also plays a profound role in regulating our energy. When tapped or massaged, it releases endorphins, oxytocin, and other hormones that create feelings of calmness, connection, and vitality. This is why spiritual traditions and martial arts often involve tapping or striking the chest—it restores balance between heart and mind.

By stimulating the thymus, I was unknowingly creating a neurochemical bridge between emotion and performance, grounding myself whenever anxiety or adrenaline took over before a lift. The act of tapping became my body’s way of saying, “Return to your center. Breathe. Trust yourself.”

Reconnecting Mind, Body, and Spirit

Now, when I train, meditate, or prepare for a challenging day, I consciously combine both activations:

I breathe deeply, focusing on the space between my eyebrows to awaken the pineal center. I tap gently on my chest to awaken the thymus and open emotional flow. And then, I move—fully aware, fully present.

This combination helps me enter flow more naturally, aligning mental clarity with emotional balance and physical strength. It’s a reminder that the body often leads the way to consciousness, not the other way around.

From Instinct to Mastery

What began as an unconscious habit became a tool for presence and performance once I understood it. It taught me that our subconscious often acts before our logic catches up, guiding us toward what we truly need.

Knowing why we do something gives us the power to use it intentionally—to turn instinct into mastery. And when the prefrontal cortex quiets, when the pineal and thymus align, we stop thinking our way through life and start flowing through it.

Beyond the Gym: Applying Flow to Work and Daily Life

Over time, I began to realize that the same state I reached in the gym—calm focus, emotional balance, and total presence—was not limited to physical training. The more I understood how the pineal and thymus activations worked, the more I saw how powerful they could be in any area of life.

That’s why I recommend applying these same techniques before stepping into an important meeting, starting a creative project, or making a critical decision. They help you access that same zone of effortless clarity and centered strength that I once felt under the barbell—but this time, in your professional and personal performance.

In professional life, the flow state helps us solve problems with intuition instead of tension. By stimulating the pineal gland, we sharpen focus and creativity. By awakening the thymus, we stay emotionally grounded and confident under pressure. Together, they synchronize logic and emotion—helping us think clearly while staying connected to purpose.

These practices remind us that true performance isn’t limited to physical strength; it’s about alignment. Whether we’re lifting a bar, leading a team, or creating something new, the principle remains the same: silence the noise, connect with your center, and let the flow take over.

Photo Credits: Tandem Paragliding w/Bibou at Les Deux Alps march 2023

“Sometimes your body knows the path long before your mind understands the map.”