To progress far enough in a given discipline in solitude, one has to be filled with a certain intensity of movement, or be granted some pleasure for advancing in achievement, or possess both of these things.
The flow state, the sometimes ecstatic and oftentimes hypnotic effect of being utterly absorbed in one's discipline is the experience of this.
Competition is introduced when you take this process and double it, adding the presence of a rival, which does change the experience of the discipline, oftentimes adding an anxiety of failure but also a thrill of achievement.Though competition also births the flow state in turn.
But one is very much focused on the other. Cooperation on the other hand may feature two individuals perfecting their disciplines in parallel.
