“Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing” ~Lao Tzu
Doing nothing is paradoxically very difficult to do…our conscious awareness continuously focuses with our self preoccupations…as a result it really doesn’t offer us many opportunities to relax and do nothing… it is only during periods of relaxation and doing nothing that our subconscious intuition is able to express its creative qualities …our subconscious mind, like our heart, is active all the time even when we are sleeping or consciously doing nothing.
Most cultures see doing nothing as a waste of time and a sign of laziness and irresponsibility..however creative people understand the importance of doing nothing and its benefits…it offers a deeper awareness from our intuitive mind.
The particular area of our brain known as the prefrontal cortex is most active during self consciousness. It is among the most advanced part of our brain and separates us from other animals who cannot analyze and calculate like humans… when doing nothing the prefrontal cortex is quiet…the human brain moves to a deeper state where intuitive thoughts and imagination come through without being controlled, judged, or censored. The purpose of meditation is also to move behind the judgmental veil of the prefrontal cortex. It helps explains why we get so many good ideas while showering or half-dozing; a relaxed frame of mind is conducive to insight, bringing forth new knowledge or ideas without forcing them….however when self consciousness is reactivated, the creative state is interrupted.
“It takes a lot of time to be a genius, you have to sit around so much doing nothing, really doing nothing.” ~Gertrude Stein
Wow… I never thought about this topic this way. I like your point of view. It makes sense. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
This information is like a “hidden” treasury. I’m glad I found it.