tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post1387764967491307919..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: Need for CognitionCharles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-50761332440731761642008-01-28T15:31:00.000-06:002008-01-28T15:31:00.000-06:00Charles I was so nodding my head on this post!! So...Charles I was so nodding my head on this post!! Sometimes I can't sleep because my brain just won't be still. Mindless things are really good for lulling my brain into thoughtlessness. I wonder if this is why I'malways so tired!Ello - Ellen Ohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311917335471167591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-11544337577739512402008-01-26T23:49:00.000-06:002008-01-26T23:49:00.000-06:00Sphinx Ink, I do think TV can be a soporific that ...Sphinx Ink, I do think TV can be a soporific that helps with the over thinking.<BR/><BR/>Julie, good thing I like to read. Cause there's plenty of it to do. I'm sure you find it the same.<BR/><BR/>Lisa, I remember being surprised to find that others didn't have the same kind of thoughts I had, and they often looked at me strangely when I spoke of those thoughts. <BR/><BR/>Kate, I'm definitely absent minded. I walked flat out into a wall at a mall one time. Didn't even see it. Maybe we should start a group, "thinkers anonymous." Our motto could be: There's help: think about it."<BR/><BR/>Writtenwyrd, if I allow my thoughts to run when I try to go to sleep I just can't get there. That's why I tell myself a story every single night when I lay down. I focus my thoughts toward the visual experiences I might be having and that helps me turn off.<BR/><BR/>Steve, I never tried the book on tape thing at night. I do find it easier to sleep if there are rain sounds outside since it helps my mind drift.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-53530040080426795742008-01-26T21:01:00.000-06:002008-01-26T21:01:00.000-06:0042 comments so far, and counting. This post has re...42 comments so far, and counting. This post has really connected with a lot of people. I've never been tempted to get roaring drunk or to use other recreational drugs, perhaps because I've never really wanted to stop my head from thinking. It makes sense, though, that some would have that need. My dreams, at least those I remember, are pretty prosaic--not the amazingly vivid ones that you and Lana have. Maybe my head stops thinking when I'm asleep. I do find it easier to go to sleep if I'm listening to a book on tape--preferably history or philosophy--something that engages the mind but isn't full of suspense or anxiety.steve on the slow trainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18257811143869341854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-6438791338498864322008-01-26T20:09:00.000-06:002008-01-26T20:09:00.000-06:00After thinking about this some more, I can say I'v...After thinking about this some more, I can say I've noticed the racing thoughts are reduced greatly since I've been treated or sleep apnea. Gotta wonder how much of the laying in bed thinking too hard to sleep was just not sleeping well.writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-51056562537840439092008-01-26T13:44:00.000-06:002008-01-26T13:44:00.000-06:00Thank you thank you thank you.I can't believe I ju...Thank you thank you thank you.<BR/><BR/>I can't believe I just read this post today since all of last night my mind was yammering on about why it yammers on constantly. It also considered the possibility that writing was a way to try to get the thoughts out to make room for more. :P<BR/><BR/>It was analyzing why it is dang near impossible to ever shut up and why I'll never be able to fully meditate. <BR/><BR/>It also guessed the constant yammering is the reason why I've broken so many bones (falling down stairs, running into things)- because I'm never really fully "physically present." My mind is always elsewhere.<BR/><BR/>Now, it will keep me awake being so happy that it's not alone. :)<BR/>Thanks again. :)RK Sterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01034917381901499281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-64584304431594494052008-01-26T05:42:00.000-06:002008-01-26T05:42:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-89378845566498330982008-01-26T05:16:00.000-06:002008-01-26T05:16:00.000-06:00Charles, from what you've said, I can appreciate t...Charles, from what you've said, I can appreciate the book saturation demands within the experimental field. Feel this is a valuable post on a well chosen topic - thanks.virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-22853911212253069212008-01-26T00:08:00.000-06:002008-01-26T00:08:00.000-06:00I've met a number of people who have shared the sa...I've met a number of people who have shared the same childhood experience I did -- where as a pretty little kid I always had the feeling that I was the only person who was always thinking. Other people appeared to just hum along on auto-pilot. Fortunately, as I grew older I learned to seek out other crazies like myself (at least I honestly thought I might be a little crazy), but I'm still surprised that so many people appear not to be bothered by some of the nutty things that won't leave my thoughts -- big stuff, like is there really a God and do we really have a soul and does anything happen after death and how can I conceive of the distances that exist in the universe and why does thinking about how small the smallest things are make my head hurt? I have trouble sleeping all the time because of an inability to quiet my mind (although in all honesty, I don't make much of an effort, I'd rather take advantage of it). There is probably a name for the other thing that I can't seem to help doing -- I call it the six degrees from Kevin <BR/>Bacon syndrome -- but it's when I'm focused on a particular subject and I can draw connections from it to nearly anything that catches my attention. Weird huh?Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665632105920753931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-17218297134000995602008-01-25T21:41:00.000-06:002008-01-25T21:41:00.000-06:00This post hits me squarely in the face. I've had t...This post hits me squarely in the face. I've had the problem all my life. Most of the time it's just part of me--my motto has been, "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Sorry, can't recall who said that originally.) From time to time, however, when the busy thoughts are near to overwhelming me, I've envied those who don't seem to be always "thinking." I've wished I could be that way. <BR/><BR/>(In fact, my growing addiction to watching TV over the last six months probably is a subconscious effort to avoid all that "thinking" during a difficult time in my life.) <BR/><BR/>I agree that writers probably are more prone than others to need cognition. We need to observe people, events, and our environment, and to analyze what everything means and how it works, so we can write about it all.Sphinx Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429797402360703839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-54139131499946645432008-01-25T20:10:00.000-06:002008-01-25T20:10:00.000-06:00Travis Erwin, video games require constant decisio...Travis Erwin, video games require constant decision making and I think that keeps the mind on the straight and narrow.<BR/><BR/>Church lady, what's the old saying? Idle hands are the devil's playground! But it's the idle mind in reality, when that mind cannot "idle."<BR/><BR/>Gabby, au contraire, old friend. You are quite the writer. Do you forget that I've read quite a bit of your stuff? <BR/><BR/>Sarai, for me, it shows up in conversations where I'm constantly dragging the focus of the convo to different places. <BR/><BR/>Sidney, there are certainly times when I seek "stillness of mind," but I seldom find it.<BR/><BR/>Shauna, I agree. Although at times I'd like a little stillness of mind, ultimately I'm glad I am the way I am. It means, for one, that I'm neve bored. I always have my thoughts to keep me company and interested.<BR/><BR/>Julie, actually I'm not familiar with Jamieson. Since I don't teach any clinical classes I'm afraid I've gotten behind in my reading in that area. There's so much in my field, Biopsych and Comparative, that I can barely keep up there.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-69938036095136083582008-01-25T15:07:00.000-06:002008-01-25T15:07:00.000-06:00Charles - random this, but I was just going to ask...Charles - random this, but I was just going to ask what areas your Masters and Dissertation were in, as I'm more familiar with the outskirts of clinical psychology than experimental, so it was a surprise to read your comment!<BR/><BR/>Psychodynamic therapy has some pretty good insights re thinking pressure created by packing down emotion and poor limbic connection; guess you're familiar with K Jamieson on bp (and cyclothymia) on creativity?virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-32842482922564009012008-01-25T14:27:00.000-06:002008-01-25T14:27:00.000-06:00Wow, this post really hit a chord with a lot of pe...Wow, this post really hit a chord with a lot of people.<BR/><BR/>Although the constant chatter in my brain sometimes keeps me from sleep too, I think I'd rather that than be one of those people who stoop-sits all day and watches TV all evening. <BR/><BR/>(For non–New Orleanians, stoopsitting means sitting on your porch or the stairs to the sidewalk watching your neighbors and talking to people who walk by.)Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-3350865910331748212008-01-25T14:02:00.000-06:002008-01-25T14:02:00.000-06:00One of the 19th century writers used to draw a dis...One of the 19th century writers used to draw a distinction between Man and Man Thinking, I believe.<BR/><BR/>I like the adage - "Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits."<BR/><BR/>I could probably be a lot happier if I could manage to do more of the latter.Sidneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16284680909152676159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-39197641361253819752008-01-25T13:53:00.000-06:002008-01-25T13:53:00.000-06:00You hit it right on the head. I can't shut it off ...You hit it right on the head. I can't shut it off which presents a problem at the day job. The only time the brain slows down: when I'm writing and releasing the ideas. Otherwise it pops up everywhere leds people to think I have attention problems in reality I just can't focus too long b/c my brain is doing or going somewhere else.Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203551997160640352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-26694298967894831942008-01-25T13:45:00.000-06:002008-01-25T13:45:00.000-06:00My mind wanders a lot too, creating stories, think...My mind wanders a lot too, creating stories, thinking of ideas to problems I may have (whether tangible, or not, like a project, etc.).<BR/><BR/>Sometimes it gets really bad when I want to sleep, because my body is resting, but my brain wants to keep going. Once in awhile, it helps to jot down some ideas (or a to-do list, of you will) right before that, so that your mind can rest a little, knowing that you won't forget. (But then, while I love to write and don't do it very much right now (though I'm trying to get back to it), I would hardly call myself a writer.... ^_^)Gabbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03450353611177198529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-68883615666953818972008-01-25T11:34:00.000-06:002008-01-25T11:34:00.000-06:00Oh, this is interesting. A lightbulb just went off...Oh, this is interesting. A lightbulb just went off for me.<BR/><BR/>I can almost 'see' the mind of my youngest swirling nonstop. And he is addicted to those video games. I have a strict time limit, and it's always a battle. What a connection you made for me! I'm serious. This is powerful.Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-17649952801782833952008-01-25T09:30:00.000-06:002008-01-25T09:30:00.000-06:00Are we long lost brothers? My thoughts never shut ...Are we long lost brothers? My thoughts never shut up either, which makes for many a sleepless night.<BR/><BR/>Like you I have found Rum and video games do wonders. I usually play a video game last thing before bed to get my mind of off writing, characters, plots, or other ponderous things.Travis Erwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420879160702098979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-37100270469055744722008-01-25T09:29:00.000-06:002008-01-25T09:29:00.000-06:00Angie, in so many cases a clinical expression of s...Angie, in so many cases a clinical expression of something is just an intensification of normal patterns.<BR/><BR/>Travis, the older I get, the more a focused behavior will smooth out my thoughts.<BR/><BR/>Writtenwyrd, I'm guessing that ADD produces some of the effect, but that seems much more of a "physical" behavior in many cases. I can be sitting very still when my thoughts are yammering.<BR/><BR/>Szelsofa, there is much to be said for a "stillness of mind." The visual effects you're talking about may represent a somewhat different way you have of processing information and thought.<BR/><BR/>Julie, yes, I suppose we could go on and on with this topic. Lots of "thoughts" spin off of it.<BR/><BR/>Michelle, I agree on reading, but for me it only works for reading fiction where I can get caught up in the story. nonfiction will often increase my "thought load" so to speak.<BR/><BR/>Erik, yes, it's all in the channeling I think.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-54641353720002940662008-01-25T09:27:00.000-06:002008-01-25T09:27:00.000-06:00Too much cognition, especially among head workers....Too much cognition, especially among head workers.<BR/>It is agreed among professional writers that drinking is an occupational hazard.<BR/>...But then how else would the ideas come? :)ivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05662075375182633162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-86821189471370237402008-01-25T07:56:00.000-06:002008-01-25T07:56:00.000-06:00Right on, Charles. The trick seems to be channelin...Right on, Charles. The trick seems to be channeling the restless thoughts energies; otherwise, it canb be a little akin to ADHD of the mind ;)Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-49525784670826150922008-01-25T07:31:00.000-06:002008-01-25T07:31:00.000-06:00I think you're exactly right. I'm as bad about se...I think you're exactly right. I'm as bad about self-medicating for this problem as anyone -- tried everything from alcohol, yoga, bowling, and so on. My best escape is reading, though. It's totally consuming and gets me out of myself for long periods of time.Michelle's Spellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769666862403600253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-31274270662072011822008-01-25T05:30:00.000-06:002008-01-25T05:30:00.000-06:00Have a few insights into this area, but they go ra...Have a few insights into this area, but they go rather beyond the scope of a comment. Bullseye of a post topic, tho....virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-35639760213217914652008-01-25T02:18:00.000-06:002008-01-25T02:18:00.000-06:00perhaps that's the reason for not finding meditati...perhaps that's the reason for not finding meditation extremely special and soothing...SzélsőFahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11600289147447182465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-54557115869878725522008-01-25T02:17:00.000-06:002008-01-25T02:17:00.000-06:00Well, I'm not one of you then ...(And I'm not a wr...Well, I'm not one of you then ...<BR/>(And I'm not a writer, so it makes sense, Charles.)<BR/><BR/>There are times though, when my head seems to be exploding not with thoughts, but with visions.<BR/>Most of the time when my head is not empty, I tend to have pictures, smells, feelings and senses in my mind instead of 'real' thoughts (what are those, anyway?)SzélsőFahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11600289147447182465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-63235678564119435012008-01-24T20:36:00.000-06:002008-01-24T20:36:00.000-06:00I can relate. Yammering thoughts are difficult to...I can relate. Yammering thoughts are difficult to ignore. Mind always going like a gerbil on a wheel. But I have mild ADD, which I always assumed explained it. Perhaps not? Refreshing outlook. Now I shall have to go and think about it, lol...<BR/><BR/>Artistic endeavors such as painting or writing make my thoughts smoothe out and stop jumping about so much. So did meditation when I used to practice it.writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.com