LET YOUR MIND WANDER…
ONE APPARENT PARADOX IS THE TENSION BETWEEN DAYDREAMING AND MINDFULNESS, TOW APPARENTLY OPPOSING FORCES THAT ARE BOTH CRUCIAL TO THE CREATIVE PROCESS. ” THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN MIND WANDERING AS THE OPPOSITE OF ‘GOOD’ THINKING IS A FALSE DICHOTOMY,” SAYS KAUFMAN. ” A LOT OF DAYDREAMING AND MIND- WANDERING- LETTING THE MIND GO SPONTANEOUSLY WHERE IT WANTS TO GO – IS VERY CONDUCTIVE TO ‘GOOD’ THINKING, OR AT LEAST IT CAN BE.”
DR. SCOTT BARRY KAUFMAN
As I’ve learned (and learned to teach) the zentangle meditative drawing process, many colleagues have shared that getting into the drawing ‘zone’ helps open up a daydreaming state. Ideas, answers to questions, new directions just bubble up, seemingly from nowhere. I think it has to do with focusing quietly on what the hand/pen is doing, and allowing thoughts to happen… not banishing them, the way many meditative practices do.
I’ve tried meditation a little and I find it exhausting to keep the thoughts from coming , and trying to clear my head. it requires TOO MUCH THOUGHT! I also find my mind going through a roll-a-dex of thoughts as I work ….sometimes helpful, sometimes not… but letting them come instead of banishing them …. eventually I end up with a clear head anyway……thanks for reading my blog. I just started paying attention to updating it after leaving it alone for A LONG TIME !!! how are your parents doing??
1
Ahh, the parents! Did you know that Audrey has Alzheimer’s? Otherwise they are doing well. I get over there about once a month.
YOUR MOM , Audrey has alzeimhers?! sheesh,,,, the other Audrey (paesel) has alzheimers too. do you know who i’m talking about? Your parents and Audrey and fred paesel were all my buddies back in the day ….. I’m probably at the age they all were then…..I don’t want to get the alzheimers!!! NOPE NOPE NOPE! TELL them HI for me!!
Yes, my mom Audrey. I think I might’ve met Audrey P. at one of your big tent classes? It’s no fun, that’s for sure. I’ll see them Thanksgiving and be sure to say hi for you!