Michelle Rothwell | February 15, 2020 | Categories: Articles

Neuroscience research has made stunning advances in understanding how our brain functions by using monitoring tools that can observe electrical activity in our brains as they perform and react, such as MRI’s, EEG’s, and MEG’s. Such studies have shattered our previous understanding of how the brain is organized and performs, especially when engaging Creativity.

One significant set of discoveries has created links between creative activity and techniques that heighten Consciousness: both practices are known to produce identical frequencies of brain-wave patterns. Activities that were once viewed as not logical or practical —such as mindfulness exercises, yoga, meditation, prayer, and others— are now known to produce exactly the same brain-wave patterns that are associated with being in various states of creative engagement. For example, in one such state known as Theta, we become finely attuned to a deep intuitive awareness.

 The link between ancient mystical practices and now-observed states of brain function has an important implication for those who would wish to increase their ability to be creative and productive. Powerful practices based in spirituality and mysticism should be investigated as valid methods of creative enhancement.

 Mindfulness is a popular term for a number of techniques that increase our conscious awareness of the Present Moment and promote health and well-being. Some of these forms use directed attention, such as concentrating on awareness of our breath, or witnessing our constant parade of thoughts and emotions. Another technique that many people find effective uses non-directed attention, which does not seek to focus on any specific element. Neuroscience research has determined that this method of diffuse awareness is the most effective for innovative Creativity. People tend to exhibit more flexibility, fluency, and originality in their responses, when engaging open, non-directed Mindfulness practices.

The directed form of Mindfulness includes techniques such as Guided Visualizations or Positive Affirmations, which concentrate our thoughts on images or phrases in order to guide or script our experience. In contrast, diffuse Mindfulness is a relaxed state of being aware of ‘what is’ that allows us to witness the Present Moment without any effort to control it.

The successful practice of diffuse Mindfulness requires an ability to attain a state of relaxed and non-attached awareness. In this heightened state of consciousness, you allow things to be ‘as they are’ and let go of the mind’s tendency to control and manipulate our perceptions of reality. You access instead a more profound and flowing awareness that can ‘witness’ each moment without judgment, neither clinging or resisting.