Something that really helps creativity!

[UltimaRage]

Have you ever tried meditating? I know, it sounds like something you'd do if you were studying kung-fu or something, but it also helps with creativity issues, if you have any. Try it out. :D

[Spekko]

You know, I've always been kind of interested in meditation and such but I've never really known how to do it. Any books/sites/explanations on how to do it? I'd really like to learn. It justs seems like one of those things that would be very difficult to really understand without some sort of instruction or something. Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno...

*ponders* Maybe I should look into those yoga classes.

[UltimaRage]

It is very easy to learn how to do. Here is a link to a page that teaches you how to do it.
http://www.spellsandmagic.com/meditation.html

[SkinnyDevil]

Meditation is an odd concept when I hear people say "clear your mind and don't think of anything"...and so I say something like "especially a pink elephant".

Meditation, for me, is deep focus. Doesn't matter whether it's some zen-breath focus or martial arts empty mind focus or tuning so completely to your guitar playing that the world ceases to exist. What I specifically DISLIKE, however, is the notion that one has to do nothing and be absolutely still to deeply focus. Hang with the Dog Brothers for a day - nothing like pain to get you REAL damn focused (hahaha!!!).

In a similar vein, one can achieve a meditative state while running or driving or drumming or dancing. Lots of people literally live for those zone states, and many have written about it extensively (I keep promising a friend I'll read George Leonard's "The Ultimate Athlete"). I think it;s not so much that meditation leads to creativity as meditation on THIS leads to creativity in THIS...and then begins to bleed into other areas of your life, too (if we're lucky).

[bdemon]

There's also a book worth checking out called The Artist's Way by...man, I forgot! Julia-something, I think. Anyway, it's all about tapping into your creativity and it has exercises designed to get you going in new directions. Some good info.

[EricV]

Yes, I have tried it. In fact, I still occasionally do it... I got into it when I started doing Yoga. I also use some of the Yoga breathing methods a lot, especially when I am on stage or before I go on stage ( good way to focus and relax )

I also consider playing a way of meditation... of course, I am not talking about playing A powerchords at the guitar store or just noodling around... I am talking about practicing, working on something difficult for a long time, or a really open jam where you try to get away from playing one lick after the next and instead, try to actually create and express something.
I always referred to this as "zoning out" ( I am sure you guys have heard me mention it before )
Eric

[salsainglesa]

There are actually a lot of 'techniques' for meditation.
The one i have tried is a budhist aproach, and it is al labout conciousness of attention.
For instance, the very first excersice I made was about breathing; you get into a certain possition, wich is like a confortable lotus, and with your eyes closed, you count your breathing during a certain amount of time, everytime you inhale you count, up to seven, and then start over again from one.
Of course your mind astrays very often, and sometimes you forget about the number you were at, but that is not the important thing, the thing is that you lead your mind where you want it to be, you start from one, and get going.
Actually that can be used while walking, or practicing.

Our thoughts wander too much because we are used to have many things calling our attention in this world.

If you do meditate often, not like me, you will indeed be more creative not because a chip is turned on in your brain, but because you can take your ideas where you want.

[Jergason]

I am taking a psychology class in school, and they had us meditate for 20 minutes. We layed on the ground stretched out, while we slowly tensed and relaxed each muscle group in our bodies. We were listening to a tape that was very relaxing, and just concentrating on what the tape was saying to us. We went through all of the muscle, tensing and relaxing them, working our way up from the toes to the head. It was amazing. I have never been so relaxed and so alert at the same time. The thing is, when I tried to do it at home, it didn't work. I think it was because I didn't have the tape. So I never got a chance to try it while playing, but I imagine it would be very helpful to be that relaxed and focused at the same time while playing.

[UltimaRage]

Yeah, I've 'zoned out' a lot before also Eric, but it's hard for me to get to that 'zoned out' state. Meditation helps you get there. salsinglesa- I agree. When you're in that 'zoned out' state, pretty much being really relaxed and thinking about nothing at all. It lets your mind go outside the box, and go to a different place, while letting your ideas blossom. Whenever I am able to 'zone out,' It's like I'm a whole new guitarist, playing things that I haven't before, with a completely different sounding style. It's insane.

Jergason, could you tell me or find out the name of that tape? That'd help me quite a bit. It really helps with meditation.