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I find more and better solutions to problems without actively thinking about them in a 1 hour yoga class than I can actively trying to solve them all day at wor

I find more and better solutions to problems without actively thinking about them in a 1 hour yoga class than I can actively trying to solve them all day at work. It's gotten to the point that I need to bring pen and paper with me into practice.

BLKNSLVR 7y ago
I've said to myself that I do my best work in the bathroom. Whether sitting on the toilet (sorry) or standing in the shower, it seems that enforced brain idle time can be more productive than "trying". I wonder if there's also a relation to the 'doorway = change of context' in there somewhere? It literally gets you thinking outside the box.
- amiga_500 7y ago
  For me it's the shower, running or cycling. Performing some kind of physical task that is largely done on 'auto-pilot' in physical space. A more complex task, such as playing soccer, which requires that I exert physical and mental effort won't produce these results.
  - BLKNSLVR 7y ago
    Off-topic, even maybe the inverse, one of the things I like about 'more complex' tasks like playing sports, is the single-mindedness that goes with it. It quietens the rest of the world for a time; nothing matters but the immediate, and it takes up 100% of processing to do it justice.
    - rramadass 7y ago
      >is the single-mindedness that goes with it. It quietens the rest of the world for a time; nothing matters but the immediate, and it takes up 100% of processing to do it justice This right here is the essence of "Meditation". No gimmicks, No bullshit, nothing. Stages from the Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali - "Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi". You can do this instant to instant on any current activity you are engaged in (aka "Mindfulness") or for extended periods of time on literally any one objective/activity.
- rimliu 7y ago
  That's diffused vs. focused modes of thinking. I see it like a river entering a new landscape. In the focused mode the landscape has defined hills and valleys so the river has little choice where to flow. The Diffused mode is like a very flat landscape, not much is going on there so the water can access pretty much any part of it or keep changing the way it flows randomly connecting different points.
amiga_500 7y ago
Do you find you have an epiphany if you don't think hard about it at all ? I find I wake to a solution the next day, having indicated to my subconscious that the question is important by thinking about it for a good while the prior day. I sadly don't have a way to simply delegate to my subconscious without this interim step.
- flyGuyOnTheSly 7y ago
  Try meditation. I just closed my eyes in the tub a few minutes ago and BAM... another problem solved. Removing stimulation (visually by closing your eyes) is an incredible way to fast track critical thinking.

BLKNSLVR 7y ago

I've said to myself that I do my best work in the bathroom. Whether sitting on the toilet (sorry) or standing in the shower, it seems that enforced brain idle time can be more productive than "trying". I wonder if there's also a relation to the 'doorway = change of context' in there somewhere? It literally gets you thinking outside the box.

amiga_500 7y ago
For me it's the shower, running or cycling. Performing some kind of physical task that is largely done on 'auto-pilot' in physical space. A more complex task, such as playing soccer, which requires that I exert physical and mental effort won't produce these results.
- BLKNSLVR 7y ago
  Off-topic, even maybe the inverse, one of the things I like about 'more complex' tasks like playing sports, is the single-mindedness that goes with it. It quietens the rest of the world for a time; nothing matters but the immediate, and it takes up 100% of processing to do it justice.
  - rramadass 7y ago
    >is the single-mindedness that goes with it. It quietens the rest of the world for a time; nothing matters but the immediate, and it takes up 100% of processing to do it justice This right here is the essence of "Meditation". No gimmicks, No bullshit, nothing. Stages from the Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali - "Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi". You can do this instant to instant on any current activity you are engaged in (aka "Mindfulness") or for extended periods of time on literally any one objective/activity.
rimliu 7y ago
That's diffused vs. focused modes of thinking. I see it like a river entering a new landscape. In the focused mode the landscape has defined hills and valleys so the river has little choice where to flow. The Diffused mode is like a very flat landscape, not much is going on there so the water can access pretty much any part of it or keep changing the way it flows randomly connecting different points.

amiga_500 7y ago

Do you find you have an epiphany if you don't think hard about it at all ? I find I wake to a solution the next day, having indicated to my subconscious that the question is important by thinking about it for a good while the prior day. I sadly don't have a way to simply delegate to my subconscious without this interim step.

flyGuyOnTheSly 7y ago
Try meditation. I just closed my eyes in the tub a few minutes ago and BAM... another problem solved. Removing stimulation (visually by closing your eyes) is an incredible way to fast track critical thinking.