Did you know that neurotypical folks just can not think about anything for a period of time? Yeah, me neither.
#Autism and #ADHD lead to less synaptic pruning which results in a higher density of synaptic connections. This leads to brain hyperconnectivity, which is the cause of sensory overload and reduced filtering of irrelevant stimuli. It is as well a reason for difficulties with executive functions.
I wish I sometimes just could NOT think.
Oh no, that is not what meditation has to be. So many people have this misconception because it is often taught badly.
It is not necessarily about clearing your mind of all thoughts, it can be about focusing on one thing, and learning to notice when you get distracted and bringing your thoughts back to the original focus. It can be SO helpful for people with ADHD if taught properly because it helps us notice sooner when we are distracted and to refocus. (I have ADHD)
Yes, I know that now. But at that point I was just so disappointed in myself. Sadly, it put me off meditation for several years before I was ready to give it a new (better) try.
(But I still wish I knew how it feels to think nothing. Just out of curiousity.)
I am glad you discovered better meditation!
My husband will often say that he is thinking about nothing, and I also dearly wish I understood that concept. The only time I have had no thoughts is when I was in shock - and that came with its own set of issues! So I would love to be able to switch off the continuous barrage of thinking in my brain in normal circumstances!
@jascha Do you have any sources for that claim? Afaik, that's not part of the differentiation between neurotypical and neurodiverse. Most people cannot easily "not think anything". That's why meditation needs to be taught, and why most practices focus the mind on something instead of just nothing. I believe that reduced filtering makes it more difficult, but if all the people in the history of humans who invented and used chants, prayers, repetitive movement and the like to calm, focus or even "empty" their mind were ND, then they are by far the typical ones and we need to reverse the definition. š¤
I'm pretty NT and the only way I can not think of anything is when I'm unconscious, e.g. asleep but not in a dreaming phase.
i came to ask the same question. got any references? i'd love to share this with my therapist.
Thanks for posting this! Meditation was the first thing I thought of. I wondered if I had been doing it all wrong, using a tool that was designed for neurotypical quiet brains š
@NilaJones @jascha It's a common misconception that meditation is about emptying your mind, etc. It's really about being present, as best you can, with whatever's arising including thoughts. Most neurotypicals are happy to have a few moments of quiet during a sit!
The mind does tend to settle with practice, but it's a long-term project and it comes and goes. I have a "soft eyes" approach that makes things easier. Here's a very brief one. Please let me know how it goes.
No, but you said that "neurotypical folks just can not think about anything for a period of time." And as someone who hears a lot about how much thinking goes on in people's heads ā because I teach meditation ā I can tell you this is not a trait neurotypical people have.
@jascha all I know is that I do stuff specifically to feel like Iām not constantly thinking. Exercise, reading, games, etc.
If Iām just idle my brain doesnāt stop. Either I occupy its cycles or it chooses how it wants to do it.
I donāt think allistic people have this same relationship or feeling about their mind.
I have very intense #ADHD and I found one way of doing things that works, for me at least.
I started studying martial arts as a way of channeling my impulsivity, and found that when I was sparring, I had to maintain focus, as if I got distracted, then Bam! I was on the floor. :D
When I started to apply this to kata, and to solo weapon forms, I found my self slipping into the trance states known as "Flow states". Very chewy. Very zen.
But it was only when I treid fire juggling that it clicked for me.
Finding that flow state through physical exercise, but having to restrain the impulsivity as there's "something on fire!" moving around you, and finding the freedom to jam/improvise in terms of movement patterns and dance.
It's a very peaceful place to be in. :D
The combination of need for control, closeness to danger, and freedom to be, works really well for me.
Try starting with juggling. :D
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