Katy
Behling Research Project
Creative
Problem-Solving and Visualization-Meditation Techniques
Visualization and meditation to solve
problems is not a new-age or ‘airy fairy’ concept. It is quite practical and
used more often than we realize. Being able to envision solutions to problems
which arise is a key bridge in being able to create in many different settings.
It’s the evolutionary thing that sets us as humans apart, and has given rise to
nearly every invention and innovation. Whether reached actively or passively-
visions and visualizations, coupled with meditation, are a way to shift the inner mental projection and
picture oneself on the other side of a problem. It’s a way to free the
imagination rather than focusing on the negative aspects. Similar to
when people use the expression, “sleep it over”, these methods give your mind
and mental processes a chance to rest, yet run and do what they have been
preprogrammed to do. When your mind is in the state of actively focused
visualization or meditation, it is similar to when you are completely absorbed
in a creative or personally enjoyed activity. During those types of activities
your mind is both focused and relaxed, and often you get ‘lost’ in the activity,
getting past the blocks on a creative path.
Creative ideas flourish in this window
of opportunity and often solutions to problems present themselves without
strain. Even if the solution doesn’t
pop into your consciousness right then, it at least sets up and prepares your
mind to receive a solution; and clears up emotional clutter which can make
problems seem unsolvable and frustrate the creative process. During this
time, attention is not placed on the emotions surrounding that problem, yet the
kernel of the problem itself considered with an objective and undistracted
mind.
One method of solving a creative
problem solving using a visualization-meditation technique is to think about a specific problem;
something you are stuck on creatively, academically, or personally, and to take
5-10 minutes to write down all the hopes and fears you have associated with
this particular problem. There are a few reasons to do this- it galvanizes the
pros and cons and feelings you have which may be holding you back from seeing
an essential factor or a hidden ‘ah-ha’. It also makes it more defined and set
in a framework of parameters to which you can look at from the outside
perspective.
Then, try
to do just the opposite which is to clear your mind completely of this
problem/situation/conundrum for about the same amount of time, 5-10 minutes,
while closing your eyes and sitting somewhere still and calm, deeply breathing.
In order to replace the problem from your mind, think of the expanse
surrounding where you have placed the problem. In doing this, you want to also
focus on the endless possibilities and resolve your expectations to be able to
work through the problem to the other side. It is important to get to the state
when you are totally transfixed and transported to another place where your
perspective can change and grow larger. Even if the solution doesn’t pop into
your consciousness right then, it at least sets up and prepares your mind to
receive a solution and clears the emotional clutter and confusion that will
make problems seem unsolvable and frustrate the creative process. Scenarios and
solutions must be pictured by the mind’s eye before it can enter into the
cognitive process, therefore making the act of imagining the problem and
picturing it like a movie in your mind so important. When you visualize
something, you build a platform for understanding and knowledge that can later
lead to greater breakthroughs.
As I
mentioned in the introduction, it is thought that the characteristic which sets
men apart from animals is the ability to go over situations and construct
possibilities in their minds. From his book Scenario Visualization: An Evolutionary Account of
Creative Problem Solving Robert Arp states, “In order to solve problems, humans are able to synthesize
apparently unrelated concepts, hypothesize, invent, and engage in other
similarly abstract and creative activities, primarily through the use of their
visual systems.” Furthermore, he defines scenario visualization (a topic
which he delves into) as a “conscious
ability to segregate and integrate visual images in future scenarios.” According to this author the very ability to be able to
creatively visualize is the answer to the two questions asked most by
philosophers and biologists regarding human nature; why we are unique; and how
we got that way. The answer of course is being able to creatively visualize and
meditate on our problems in order to find a solution. It would seem that
animals act out of habit and instinct but that is beyond the scope of this
research paper.
In
conclusion, people have taken this class perhaps in order to increase their
creativity and their ability to solve not only creative problems but personal,
community, and world problems. The research shows that it is an innate and part
of the human brain which has uniquely developed to be able to picture, analyze,
and create situations out of visualization and meditation within themselves. It
could potentially benefit creative individuals to know about these
visualization techniques which allow the mind to get outside of a problem and
look at it objectively in order to create a solution. So, next time you are confronted with
a problem, grab a note pad, get centered and allow the creative forces to work on your behalf!
Linkography:
Note: due to website/blog complications I made an audio track for this project and can not directly upload it. So I went to YouTube and created an account which said I needed to convert it into a movie file. So I downloaded that program, designed it as an audio track with picture and have attempted 4 times each time it gets halfway saved and my computer crashes and turns off. So very frustrating coupled with the fact that I had to be re added to post on the blog-- . So, hopefully I can get that worked out or Carl can put it on Laulima.
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