There's a reason why I don't want to meditate

[beamish13]

I consider myself to be a very creative person, and I think that stress fuels it to a certain extent. If I meditate, I'm afraid that I'll lose that "spark" that sets me apart.

[Caedmon]

Interesting. So you're saying you don't want to lose that stress?

[Kelly]

There was a report on the new tonight that said that large amounts of stress contributes to faster aging....



Have a nice day,
Kelly

[Sophieness]

I can't meditate, unless there's some talking guided meditation thing or relaxing music on. but I daydream constantly.
I don't know, I think the benefits of meditation are more just from relaxing in general, and I do enough of that. Surely don't stress if meditating doesn't feel comfortable to you, just do whatever feels natural.
I wouldn't worry about losing stress though. There will always be enough I think lol.

[travo]

Originally Posted by beamish13

I consider myself to be a very creative person, and I think that stress fuels it to a certain extent. If I meditate, I'm afraid that I'll lose that "spark" that sets me apart.

I know what you mean... a lot of my art gets its best fuel from pain as well. I've been very spiritually orientated for years, but the meditation part for my personality type seems to already be covered in a sense... I get that joy in doing certain things I'm likely to do anyway. I think it's different depending on your mindset and interests though, and is the perfect thing for some people.

[house]

Its always been a truth that the most creative people are the most tortured ones. Thats why theres so many great debut albums but after their sucess its never a good.

Its a trade off and its up to you if you think its worth it. For me, the peace meditation gives is worth much more. Plus what good creativity if you can never enjoy it.

[Caedmon]

I consider myself far more creative after meditating than before. When I've been meditating, I've honed in on all the intracacies and wonder of life. Things come alive: sounds, feelings, colors, everything. So, I find the opposite to be true for me. Life comes blazing alive in beauty.

[Western Wall]

I really agree with Frogamigo that meditating could only break down barriers of your mind and emotions that would keep you from being creative.

Being really tense a lot hampers your thinking. You need tension for certain types of creating, but overall, I am not creative when tense. I'm not really "at play" and so I may be able to be creative, but will have less fun, be more serious, think there is less reason to be creative.

Any meditation I've tried has made me less anxious and a better problem-solver. It has even eased social anxiety. Being less inhibited by anxiety and stress are key to certain types of creativity and for living life in flow, instead of in a disjointed stuck way.

[pittstonjoma]

When I'm stressed, I'm just like a useless vegetable.. so I need to calm down to be able to do anything.

[glassjoe]

Originally Posted by beamish13

I consider myself to be a very creative person, and I think that stress fuels it to a certain extent. If I meditate, I'm afraid that I'll lose that "spark" that sets me apart.

I think I understand what you are saying. And I think I'm the same way... err... or at least I used to be before SA. It's kind of like driving 60 MPH on the highway vs. driving in stop-n-go traffic. Where if you are honestly and truly more comfortable living at that fast a pace, then it's much easier to stay at that speed as long as possible than to constantly try to slow down, then speed up, then slow down again.

I mean, things are only "stressful" if they start to get overwhelming. But if you are having fun juggling all these imaginary balls in the air, then this so-called "stress" can be energizing. At least that's how I see it.

And this depends on how you want to define the word "meditate", but playing basketball, jogging, going mountain climbing, or going dancing, can all be considered forms of meditation - where you get so involved in the activity that you totally lose your sense of identity (ego) and start to feel like you are blending in with the scenery.