Just to make sure we are talking about the same things here. What do you mean ‘meta-aware’? Could you describe to me your internal experience when you are meta-aware?
Erm, I’m trying to point to the sort of mindfulness where you’re thinking about your tasks rather than just doing them. Something like, “Ah yes, now let’s go and do this written assignment. Okay, looks like I need to write about post-modernism. What do I know about post-modernism? Huh, I notice I am feeling bored...”
Could you also clarify what you mean with “blank time”. When we leave our brain to run on its own the internal dialogue does not stop. We are just flooded with automatic thoughts. No?
I think there’s several things I was trying to describe. I’ve found that leaving my brain to run on its own can be good, but it feels less like there’s an internal observer that’s speaking. Thoughts just sort of stream in, in wordless impulses and hazy flashes.
But I also buy the claim that complete “non-thinking” can be helpful for Reasons, which I assume is not the same thing as the above.
Erm, I’m trying to point to the sort of mindfulness where you’re thinking about your tasks rather than just doing them. Something like, “Ah yes, now let’s go and do this written assignment. Okay, looks like I need to write about post-modernism. What do I know about post-modernism? Huh, I notice I am feeling bored...”
Yes, that is what I thought. If you are thinking in sound/language you are using your internal dialogue. Mindfulness is pausing your internal dialogue and focusing your senses on the current experience. Not talking to yourself about what you are doing. What I think is happening, and this is an assumption on my part, is that you have never experienced the stopping of your internal dialogue as it seldom happens spontaneously.
But I also buy the claim that complete “non-thinking” can be helpful for Reasons, which I assume is not the same thing as the above.
I am not sure what you mean by ‘Reasons’ but I do believe practising meditation, concentration and contemplation (please avoid, in your mind, associating my use of the terms to religion) are essential. As essential as practising our intellectual skills.
I’ve done some mindfulness mediation, but I haven’t made it into a consistent practice. I was trying to compress the sorts of potential health benefits, general life improvements etc. into a black box of “reasons” (which otherwise might have spiraled into its own discussion) with the capital “Reasons”.
Erm, I’m trying to point to the sort of mindfulness where you’re thinking about your tasks rather than just doing them. Something like, “Ah yes, now let’s go and do this written assignment. Okay, looks like I need to write about post-modernism. What do I know about post-modernism? Huh, I notice I am feeling bored...”
I think there’s several things I was trying to describe. I’ve found that leaving my brain to run on its own can be good, but it feels less like there’s an internal observer that’s speaking. Thoughts just sort of stream in, in wordless impulses and hazy flashes.
But I also buy the claim that complete “non-thinking” can be helpful for Reasons, which I assume is not the same thing as the above.
Yes, that is what I thought. If you are thinking in sound/language you are using your internal dialogue. Mindfulness is pausing your internal dialogue and focusing your senses on the current experience. Not talking to yourself about what you are doing. What I think is happening, and this is an assumption on my part, is that you have never experienced the stopping of your internal dialogue as it seldom happens spontaneously.
I am not sure what you mean by ‘Reasons’ but I do believe practising meditation, concentration and contemplation (please avoid, in your mind, associating my use of the terms to religion) are essential. As essential as practising our intellectual skills.
I’ve done some mindfulness mediation, but I haven’t made it into a consistent practice. I was trying to compress the sorts of potential health benefits, general life improvements etc. into a black box of “reasons” (which otherwise might have spiraled into its own discussion) with the capital “Reasons”.
Ah sorry. Didn’t get it :)