Have you been into “the gap” lately?
Nope, I’m not talking about the clothing company. I’m talking about “the gap”— the space between our thoughts.
Sounds a bit complicated, doesn’t it? The space between our thoughts? Imagine that!
We all have chatter in our heads. Don’t try to deny it. We talk to ourselves, to the person who ticked us off two days ago, heck we even have conversations with people we haven’t seen in years— you know, the ones who did us some injustice, or else behaved in a way that was totally annoying and frustrating and WRONG. We go back and have imaginary conversations with them because you never know, we might just find those magical words that will set everything right again. Sound familiar? A bit silly when I put it that way but isn’t that exactly what we do sometimes?
I just found out that the average person has 60,000 thoughts in one day (Gee, I wonder how they go about measuring this?) With that many thoughts rolling around our minds, you can be sure we’re thinking many of the same thoughts over and over, much of it quite negative. Our minds are indeed very busy.
Recently, I picked up a copy of Wayne Dyer’s book on meditation called, “Getting into the Gap.”
This morning I listened to the CD, eyes closed, and peacefully followed along. Even then, I couldn’t seem to keep the thoughts from sifting through. I’ll admit, it was my first time with the CD and I didn’t expect it to be a breeze. I’ve tried meditation in the past but with out much success. My thoughts would drift off and I’d forget for the moment what I was attempting. I usually ended up bored and thinking about the ton of work I had to do that wasn’t getting done. But darn it all, meditation is good for us. It helps reduce stress and fatigue; helps with memory, some people even use it as a form of healing. Now that I think about it, mediation is one of those things I’ve never heard anything negative about. It’s all good!
Wayne Dyer says that within the space where we have no thoughts all creativity takes place. Good news for this writer! I’m all for tapping into my creativity, hauling it out of those empty spaces and getting it down on paper. Sounds SO easy.
Now that I have my trusty CD to walk me through it, I’m hopeful that I’ll be making it into “the gap” on a regular basis. It doesn’t take that long and I figure the least I can do is spare myself fifteen minutes a day. Not sure how long it will take me to catch on but I’m sure going to work at it.
I’m wondering now, how many of you meditate, or have tried it in the past? I’d like to hear your experience. Do you think it encourages creativity and if it did would you be willing to give it a try?
Laura Best 
Jody Hedlund
/ March 8, 2010Never heard it put that way before! Very interesting. But I suppose it boils down to emptying our minds of the daily mundane, so that creativity has a place to flourish!
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Laura Best
/ March 8, 2010I wasn’t used to it being presented in this way before, either. I’ll see how I make out before I reserve judgment. I must admit the idea of meditating holds a certain appeal.
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Tricia
/ March 8, 2010I think in order for me to empty my mind of all thought, I’d have to knock myself out first.
I admire those who can, though.
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Laura Best
/ March 9, 2010Wow! That sounds extreme, and rather amusing. I wanted to giggle. But I know what you mean. I’m not sure how I’ll make out with this but I’m giving it a shot.
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donthangupthequill
/ March 8, 2010When I’ve tried meditating, or even just clearing my mind, a random thought comes in and I go off on a tangent and forget that I’m supposed to be meditating.
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Laura Best
/ March 9, 2010I agree, it sounds so easy yet we all know it isn’t. Or maybe that’s because we’re on the outside looking in. I’m sure that people who meditate on a daily basis would disagree.
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Carol J. Garvin
/ March 8, 2010I’ve never tried true meditation but when I’ve felt rattled and overwhelmed by a busy schedule or other pressures I’ve taken deep breaths, closed my eyes and imagined staring into a black velvet sky. I focus on the blackness and it effectively empties my mind for a short time — long enough for me to realize my pace needs readjusting. I haven’t had to resort to it much since retiring, and I haven’t considered its creative possibilities. I just might have to try it.
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Laura Best
/ March 9, 2010Carol, I’m not sure what “true meditation” is but it sounds to me that what you do is a form of meditation. Some people tell you to concentrate on your breath whenever a thought comes in. I’,, be giving it another go this morning. Wish me luck!
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newtowritinggirl
/ March 9, 2010When I first started this writing thing I thought that the conversations I have with other people in my head would be worth writing down – potential stories in each of them. I bought a notebook to write them down (along with dreams and other ideas for stories).
I didn’t get too far; I tend to forget most of what I think – not surprisingly if I have 60,000 thoughts a day. I still think it’s quite a good idea; I might try to start that up again.
I’d be interested to know if there was a difference in the number of thoughts woman and men have daily…
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Laura Best
/ March 9, 2010You might be onto something NTWG, I’ve been told that men can sometimes be thinking about nothing. (This of course did not come to me from any authority and the person who claimed it might have had a grudge to bear. Who knows?)
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Ann
/ March 13, 2010Several men have told me that they can be without thinking. In fact, when they don’t need to concentrate on specific tasks, they prefer to clear their minds. On the other hand, I’ve met women who say the same thing. The difference between these men and women I’ve talked to is that the women are dull while some of the men are quite clever. Maybe the men are more focused when they do think.
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Linda
/ March 9, 2010I’ve never been able to meditate successfully. I always fall asleep. But maybe that’s my mind’s way of clearing itself.
I prefer to go into daydream, which I am abundantly successful at … much to the annoyance of those around me. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ March 9, 2010I’ve not fallen asleep during meditation but I am finding the CD helpful. At least it leaves me feeling quite peaceful. I’m not sure that would be the case if there was some turmoil (aka— a racket) going on in my life but for now it’s been a pretty positive thing..
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JaxPop
/ March 9, 2010….”I’ve been told that men can sometimes be thinking about nothing….”
I could pounce on this comment yaknow, but I’ll meditate on it first so as not to toss something out there that hasn’t been thought through properly. Gimme a few weeks & I’ll get back to ya.
Ugh! Can’t get the image of an avalanche out of what’s left of my mind. Burning out….. FAST.
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Laura Best
/ March 9, 2010Oh no, you shouldn’t take offense to that comment, Dave…lol! Nothing personal. It’s just something that I was once told. And I certainly don’t profess to actually believing it.
I think you’re reading too much into that. You should eliminate that thought from your mind!!! lol!
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JaxPop
/ March 10, 2010I never take offense…. revenge, however, is still on the table……
Just kidding!!!
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Leah Saylor-Abney
/ March 10, 2010My mom recently returned to morning meditations to help get centered and prepared for the day. She’s big into Deepak Chopra and uses his CDs and web site.
My sister, though, has read a lot of Wayne Dyer and shared some of his ideas with the family. She also reads a lot of Eckhart Tolle and shared his work with the family.
Me? I think each one of those inspirational men offers powerful and useful messages that always get me thinking and probing much deeper than the surface. I really dig new perspectives and ideas that make me think.
However, I don’t meditate. I’m pretty in touch with my thoughts, self-talk, ego, “stories,” or whatever you want to call them. I think my ability to cope and adapt is a direct result of my ability to hear what I’m telling myself and evaluate its benefit. I actively troll my brain for negativity and kick its butt whenever I find it.
Also, I’ve found all I need to get beyond my left-brain activity (aka the peanut gallery) is to sit in a quiet place for about 10 minutes and just listen to myself. After 10 minutes I usually hear or see a new idea. If not a new idea then at least five new questions that spawn a new idea.
Great topic!
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Laura Best
/ March 10, 2010Do you think that your 10 minutes listening to yourself is a form of meditation? I’m not altogether certain that meditation is the same for each of us. We all have our own ways of finding that peace that is within.
Deepka Chopra is great. I also love Louise Hay. Her , “You Can Heal Your Life” movie is wonderful. I never tire of what that woman has to say.
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Leah Saylor-Abney
/ March 11, 2010Yep, I s’pose it could be. I always heard meditation was closing your eyes and emptying one’s head of all thought but I haven’t studied the topic extensively so perhaps the practice is more widely adaptable than I’d assumed.
Something to think about 🙂
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jenniferneri
/ March 11, 2010It’s been a few years that I am on and off learning about meditation. Many members of my family meditate on a daily basis, but it was not something I was interested in untill about 2 years ago. I began to do more meditation when I began yoga. I love it – when I do it. Yes, I think it encourages creativity, one thing among many. It brings focus, discipline, concentration, enjoyment, acceptance. ahhh…. I sound like a promoter. REally though, it is about listening to your thoughts when they arise, and not becoming angery at yourself for having thoughts – only notice them. Then, return to your breath. This was the best advice I received when learning to meditate.
What Linda describes sounds like meditation. Listening to self without judgment. Mindful Meditation. Ok. sorry this is so long winded. I didn’t intend to write a manual here…
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Laura Best
/ March 11, 2010On the CD I have, the form of mediation is called Japa. I’ve also heard of what you describe as returning to your breath when a thought comes into your mind. For me, I do end up feeling very relaxed after following along with the CD. I’m noticing that thoughts still come into my mind but I’m also aware of this when it happens. I know it will take time to perfect. (Something we writers know all about!) I’m going to hang in there…..Thanks for your input, Jennifer.
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jenniferneri
/ March 13, 2010Learning breathing excercises was the turning point for me. It changed the way I approcahed and perceived meditation. Good luck with it.
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Ann
/ March 13, 2010Meditatation is one of my favorite methods for stress relief. I guess meditation is tied to creativity, because I sometimes meditate while drawing or painting. My mind clears and my hand does whatever it wants. I practiced yoga on and off for years before I could meditate properly, though.
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Laura Best
/ March 13, 2010I’m sure Dave will appreciate your earlier comment that you have found men who can go without thinking to be quite clever!!
I’m sure it takes quite awhile to learn how to properly meditate. I’ve only been doing it for a week. I find it challenging to quiet the mind but I also know I have to be patient. I find the CD relaxing to listen to so I always end up feeling super relaxed afterward, which is never a bad thing.
How interesting that you can draw and paint while meditating. Wow, I’m impressed Ann, although I have to admit that I’m not surprised to learn that you mediate. You just seem like the meditating sort to me. Your blog always leaves me with a very peaceful feeling.
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