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The Mindful PhD: Inspiration, Creativity, & New Ideas

Posted by on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 in Commentary, Resource.

by Nancy Chick, CFT Assistant Director

In “The Science of Inspiration” (2013), Eric Ravenscraft highlights the neuroscientific view of inspiration, epiphanies, and “‘a-ha’ moments”:

“When you make a new connection between two ideas, it’s not just a metaphor. Your brain is literally restructuring itself to accommodate new processes…. [T]he more ‘plastic’ your brain is, the more you’re able to form creative or inspirational thoughts.”

This neuroplasticity isn’t finite and has no expiration date.*  Ravenscraft offers a handful of strategies for increasing neuroplasticity and nurturing inspiration, one of which is meditating. While he doesn’t get more specific, it’s important to know that a specific kind of meditation is associated with creativity and inspiration. More….

Reposted from The Mindfulness PhD blog.
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