Meditation and creativity
The first time I read about the connection between these two was in the book by David Lynch, the director of Mulholland Drive, around 20 years ago.
As you can imagine, meditation wasn’t popular back then. David Lynch described how his temperament improved and how his wife was surprised by the change after he started meditating regularly. He also found that creative ideas began flowing abundantly. I vividly remember when I was a film school student, meditation seemed extremely beneficial for creatives.
However, what truly motivated me to meditate regularly was the need to decompress. We all know that stress can accumulate and harm our bodies in the long run.
Am I doing it right?
One common misconception about meditation is the pressure to “do it right.” The idea of observing our thoughts can be intimidating for many. Questions like “Am I doing it right?” often arise as we tend to judge ourselves in various situations, making things more complicated.
There are various ways to meditate: sitting, lying down, walking, etc.
Find a method that suits you and is sustainable.
I practiced meditation on and off for 2-3 years, but to make it a daily ritual, the key is finding the right music track.
Initially, I relied on guided meditation with someone’s voice guiding me. Then I transitioned to meditation music and nature sounds like rain, river, fire, and storm. Now, I have settled on using singing bowls corresponding to chakra healing.It has been quite an evolution.
Initially, it was challenging to concentrate. Thoughts like “What’s for dinner?” or “What’s on my to-do list?” would pop up. Meditating after dinner definitely helped with this.
The session typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes. The first 5 minutes are dedicated to clearing the mind and relaxing, after which time seems to pass quickly.
5 Tips
Here are some helpful tips:
– Start by relaxing your body through gentle stretching and massage before beginning meditation.
– Focus on your breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds.
– Tilt your head slightly upwards.
– Hold crystals in your hands and visualize them relieving your stress.
– Remember to smile.
I have found that these small things can be very beneficial. Keeping your head up and smiling can be empowering. You can envision yourself in a grassy field surrounded by beautiful scenery to enhance the experience.
Pay attention to the sensations. For instance, I can feel my heart expanding and a sense of contentment. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I perceive flowing colors like purple, orange, and blue. Additionally, my hands and body occasionally experience a brief sensation of vibration or shifting.
The Benefits
So, did I experience what David Lynch referred to as “overflowing ideas”? The answer is yes! It’s truly amazing. I meditate twice a day: once in the morning before starting work and once after dinner before going to bed. Ideas usually come to me during the morning session. Have you ever noticed how many times new ideas come to you when you’re in the bathroom or shower? When you’re not actively trying, ideas effortlessly flow to you. This truly lights me up and brings a smile to my face. The evening session is more about unwinding. I’ve found a singing bowl sound that I enjoy, which really calms me down and makes me feel at home. That’s why I eagerly anticipate the evening session; it feels like being in a spa.
“But I’m busy!”
Many people claim they are too busy to meditate, and I used to be one of them. The reality was that I was scared; I didn’t know what to do. Simply observing my thoughts felt like staring into a void. With a long list of tasks constantly awaiting me, I couldn’t spare 5 minutes for myself.
I am grateful that things have changed for the better. I’m no longer in the fight-or-flight mode. I now have more control over my time. After a year of consistent meditation, I can confidently say that it has become my anchor. It helps ground me amidst the busyness of my content creation life.