The creative thinking process requires the silent pause.
After a first phase of thinking about a new idea I need some rest, I need incubation time. I often imagine the unconscious mind continues pondering during my silent incubation time. The brain and our intuition needs silence.
Intuition has a very tiny voice. You cannot hear it unless you take your time and be silent. Some problems are solved when I sleep. The next morning the solution is there.
When Archimedes did not know the solution to his problem he took a bath; relaxing in his bath he knew where to look for the answer. In ‘Zen and the art of motor maintenance’ making a cup of coffee is used as a way to be silent and let the mind work for itself to avoid the gumption trap.
The silent pause in the creative process help us maintain enthusiasm and energy flowing. Stress drains your energy and enthusiasm. It will kill your creativity. As Steven Johnson often reminds us: Chance favours the connected mind, connection needs the silent pause.
“True intelligence operates silently. Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found.” ― Eckhart Tolle, Stillness Speaks
