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Ignoring the quality of the article and cited study, I did massively cut down my meditation routine for exactly this reason. Essentially, through meditation I

Ignoring the quality of the article and cited study, I did massively cut down my meditation routine for exactly this reason. Essentially, through meditation I learnt how to release "knots in my brain". This was exceedingly pleasant to an extent I cannot emphasize enough. But then I realized that these knots in my brain were often associated with things I wanted to figure out. I used to release them by figuring something out. But when I knew how to release them a whole lot quicker without having to ever bother with the difficulty of figuring something out, naturally I figured stuff out a whole lot less. That made me sad. So I decided that particular meditation skill was one I wanted to unlearn.

wool_gather 8y ago
Recently started meditating daily, and I was worried about exactly this towards the beginning. I work with my mind, I like using my mind to solve problems. The guidance I was getting for the sessions was of this "let thoughts come and go, just observe, be neutral" variety. While I see the value, and I've enjoyed the overall effects, it seemed to be pointing away from thinking as a thing to do. How can you do something like brainstorming if you're just letting thoughts pass, not following up with them? Later, there have been some hints about a more "concentrating" style of exercise. I.e. rather than just focusing on the breath, body, outside sounds, whatever, actually spending the session with an idea as the starting point of the focus. Then staying on track with it, exploring just that one thing. I've tried this once or twice now, unprompted, and I'm eager to learn more about it. I haven't reached any conclusions, but the meditative state of mind seems to be good for this. Brainstorming is more effective if you're in a less distraction-prone mode. I don't know if this matches up with your experience, but it might be worth trying to use a session to, so to speak, untie a knot, rather than just letting it go.

wool_gather 8y ago

Recently started meditating daily, and I was worried about exactly this towards the beginning. I work with my mind, I like using my mind to solve problems. The guidance I was getting for the sessions was of this "let thoughts come and go, just observe, be neutral" variety. While I see the value, and I've enjoyed the overall effects, it seemed to be pointing away from thinking as a thing to do. How can you do something like brainstorming if you're just letting thoughts pass, not following up with them? Later, there have been some hints about a more "concentrating" style of exercise. I.e. rather than just focusing on the breath, body, outside sounds, whatever, actually spending the session with an idea as the starting point of the focus. Then staying on track with it, exploring just that one thing. I've tried this once or twice now, unprompted, and I'm eager to learn more about it. I haven't reached any conclusions, but the meditative state of mind seems to be good for this. Brainstorming is more effective if you're in a less distraction-prone mode. I don't know if this matches up with your experience, but it might be worth trying to use a session to, so to speak, untie a knot, rather than just letting it go.