Posted: Jul 15, 2017 8:54 pm
Pebble wrote:SpeedOfSound wrote:I
A couple of things I think are necessary. I have to create in my mind some focal point outside of my mind that is undefinable. For me that is the complexity of the physical. Second, it has to be such that I get some perspective of my self as being very tiny and even non-existent. Third, doing things for others that in no way could benefit my 'self'.
Sounds like ritualistic thought and behavior, a form of stress relief. I find intense exercise stops me gnawing at a problem and then a nights sleep often leads to a calmer analysis of the issues the following day. Each to their own I suppose.
I figured out that weight-lifting cures depression almost instantly.
Yes. It is a ritual. I use hand motions to 'let go' for instance. My suspicion is that 'thinking' is an exaptation of movement. In fact I think we think with our pre-motor cortex more so than any other part of the brain. So engaging the body is going to change how you think and perhaps bring it back to a more focused kind of thought. (I learn programming now as a motor skill rather than an intellectual endeavor)
Another factor to praying for me is to lay the thoughts down after I clearly have them. Then I kind of open up to the universe and just let the clues happen. I'm reminded of Dirk Gently.
Consider. When you can't remember some name right off you often find that being distracted allows the name to 'pop up' out of the blue. Current research indicates that when you stop trying with your mind that more of your mind actually lights up. In particular if you are laboring at thought the right side of your brain gets hot spots. The left side it has recently been found is more diffusely interconnected. Relaxing lets that side engage.
So I think all of this religious crap, and it is so crappy, is a result of not quite understanding the brain of the mammal. When something pops up out of the blue as I mentioned above it is no surprise that a person who believes in some supernatural theme gets confirmation. My AA literature is filled with this shit. The chapter to the agnostic asks that you open your mind and try it out basically without thinking too much. The point made is that it works. The bullshit point made is that it works cuz of some deity.