tomate 🍅2d ago

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.

Show threadReginaT
@jascha
I was in a mental health institution to be treated for various mental health issues, including my #ADHD. They tried to teach us meditation. "Think of nothing!" I tried soo hard and failed miserably. When I learned, years later, that neurotypicals are actually able to think of nothing and this type of meditation only aims at teaching them to do that at will, I actually cried and laughed. I still wish I knew how that feels. Just for 5 minutes. I find thinking really exhausting at times.
Apr 9 at 7:45amWeb
Show threadPetra2d ago

@ReginaT @jascha

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)

Show threadReginaT2d ago

@PetraPhoenix @jascha

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.)

Show threadPetra2d ago

@ReginaT @jascha

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!

Show threadDie Katja mit den roten Haaren2d ago
@ReginaT @jascha
I (NT) cannot “think nothing,” and from what I know about meditation, this is true for almost everyone except perhaps some highly enlightened individuals.
Meditation is not about “thinking nothing” for ordinary people. Instead, it’s about creating a distance from our own thoughts—allowing us to observe them from a distance and not be swept away by the feelings they may evoke.[1/2]
Show threadDie Katja mit den roten Haaren2d ago
@ReginaT @jascha The same applies to feelings: we learn to watch them, rather than be consumed by them.
Constructing a “meta-mind” is not the same as “thinking nothing.” It’s about developing awareness and perspective, not emptiness. [2/2]