Are there meditation practices that improve logical problem solving skills?
score:3
There is a practice called Analytical Meditation. In this type of meditation you make a problem, or something that you want a deeper understanding of, to become the object of your meditation. You then shift the sensations of the breath to the background in your mind.
The method is very well described on pages 361-368 of "The Mind Illuminated" by Culadasa. I think it is exactly what you are looking for. It is a component of the Mahayana vipaśyanā system called “The Union of Wisdom and Calm Abiding.”
The only caveat is that you must be able to sustain your focus on the object of your meditation, in your case the sensations of the breath. If you do not have some degree of stability in your attention to the breath, Analytical Meditation will not yet be an effective practice for you.
Upvote:0
You only have to keep the ultimate aim of enlightenment in mind when practicing meditation and living in the dhamma. Then everything else, like improved logical problem solving skills, is achieved. The good qualities that emerge and mature from the practice of Dhamma not only smooth the way for the journey to Nibbana; over time they have the effect of transforming the practitioner into a more generous, loving, compassionate, peaceful, and clear-headed member of society. The individual's sincere pursuit of Awakening is thus a priceless and timely gift to world.
Upvote:0
Breath meditation is the best choice of mind's support. Because buddha said:
Bhikkhu! you should meditate samādhi. Because of samādhi, you will understand the truth - samādhiṃ, bhikkhave, bhāvetha; samāhito, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathābhūtaṃ pajānāti, S iii.13 (truth = causes and effects = logic).
Another, you can also improve your brain by abhidhamma study @pa-auk monastery, too. Sāriputta asked questions moreover hundreds millions questions about causes and effects in paṭṭhāna, the hardest cannon in tipitaka, for your brain.
Upvote:1
"Learn no-self and there will be no problem":)(a quote I heard somewhere) Sorry, I probably should have explained.
OP is practicing anapana right? What I meant was, how about Practicing vipassana to let go of problems, anything and everyone? It gives practitioners wisdom for more appropriate decisions when dealing with problems...although, I'm not so sure about "logical problems" although.
Upvote:1
In addition to the clarity and calm that samatha, that practice you do already, provides, I would suggest vipassana.
Dedicated vipassana practice I had found makes me more aware of my own thoughts and any chronic logical fallacies. I would suggest adding vipassana, aka cessation-contemplation, practice.
Upvote:4
I am not aware of any meditation practices that improve logical problem solving skills. However (although I am not an academic), I have found, in my experience, the more clear & calm the mind is, the better my logic & problem solving skills.
Upvote:4
I've heard that when you sleep on a problem, you're mind thinks of a solution during the rest. That's kind of how meditation works, a sort of self-induced slumber (though its important not to fall asleep during meditation).
I'm not sure how exactly the mind works better after meditation and sleep but my personal theory is that it separates from the object of meditation gaining a clear overview of possible solution paths.
As long as you don't go too far during a session it's been proven that meditation relaxes you. Logical thinking, rationality, clarirty, etc, are necessary for a mathematical mind. However, I feel thats it is also necessary to have periods of fanciful and unplanned moments.
I think the type of meditatiom that would be good for math is samata as opposed to vipassana. Briefly, vipassana focuses on present moment awareness whereas samata is on an object of meditation such as a candle or burning incense.
I have a graduate degree in statistics and work as a statistical programmer and feel that meditation not only helps me solve problems but also be a better person. It may also give you a competetive edge when used in moderation. Best of luck on your journey.
More post
- 📝 why can't the spirtual experience explained from logic
- 📝 Is Buddhism the Way of Truth?
- 📝 How to do metta for a long time (before sleep)?
- 📝 What types of physical dwellings are most conducive for Buddhist lay life living?
- 📝 Buddhism and self-improvement
- 📝 Buddhist chant from video game
- 📝 Can following Buddhist practices help me in my studies?
- 📝 Four Noble Truths contradicting?
- 📝 What is the relation between Nirvana and Parinirvana?
- 📝 In my next life, can i meet him again?
- 📝 How are Noble Ones harmed?
- 📝 Is there a difference between sunatta and anatta
- 📝 Is "Fake it 'til you make it" an acceptable Buddhist behavior?
- 📝 How does the craving lead to lust, hatred and delusion?
- 📝 How sacrosanct is the "source material" of Buddhism?
- 📝 What is the meaning behind the concept of "gods" in Buddhism?
- 📝 Ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing) -- concentrate on nose, or on whole body?
- 📝 Overcoming distractions in meditation as per the Tripitaka?
- 📝 Buddhism Community
- 📝 Why is desire the root of suffering?
- 📝 According to the Dhamma monks have no rights?
- 📝 Can Metta improve one's luck?
- 📝 Is radiating loving kindness increase attachment?
- 📝 Question on Divisive Speech
- 📝 Does 'karma' mean that everything that happens to us is under our control, or only that we are responsible for it?
- 📝 Anatman: How does the illusion of 'I'/ self seize?
- 📝 Good is not different from Bad?
- 📝 What does the first para of Lonaphala Sutta mean?
- 📝 Buddhist Perspective on Value, Sentiment, Attraction?
- 📝 Can somebody remove their bad karma by believing that it doesn't exist?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Are there meditation practices that improve logical problem solving skills?
- 📝 Are there Theravada meditation retreats that allow one to work for room and board?
- 📝 Are there formal mechanisms in any Buddhist institutions that explicitly reconcile Buddhist principles with science?
- 📝 Are there any strict Soto Zen teachers online that I could listen to?
- 📝 Are there any websites that contain Buddhist dictionaries?
- 📝 Are there rules that prevent chaos in our world?
- 📝 Are there Bodhisatta practices within Theravada?
- 📝 There is a text where Buddha says that the Dharma he teaches is not a secret doctrine so why are there sects which maintain secrecy?
- 📝 What is known about enlightenment before the lifetime of the Buddha? Are there any claims that he was the first?
- 📝 Are there references to Meditation Techniques Practiced / Taught by Ven. Nanavira?
- 📝 Are there Theravada practitioners that aspire to be Buddhas?
- 📝 Are there suttas that recommend a specific order of the buddhist practices?
- 📝 Is it true that there are 5 principal types of meditations?
- 📝 Are there any scientifically validated practices for Buddhists?
- 📝 Are there "safe" practices to follow before meeting one's teacher?
- 📝 What are some special meditation techniques and/or objects that have been used to develop mental abilities?
- 📝 Is there a specific range of meditation styles that could help with extreme clumsiness and disconnected mind-body?
- 📝 how many meditations have the word 'sati' in there? what are all the practices that are "great fruit, great benefit"?
- 📝 Are there no Buddhas from other universes that are equal to our Buddha?
- 📝 Are there any differences between living in a meditation centre vs a monastery?
- 📝 Which Buddhists say that there are no conventionally existent wholes, and for what reasons?
- 📝 What arguments are there for "karma" -- that the agent inevitably experiences the result of their actions?
- 📝 Do any of scholastic currents conclusively affirm or deny that there are any facts at all?
- 📝 What are the common buddhist practices to eliminate sleepiness?
- 📝 Are there any living enlightened people?
- 📝 What are the texts that contain words which can be attributed directly to the Buddha?
- 📝 Are there pictures/paintings of Nirvana?
- 📝 Are there any differences in karma?
- 📝 Problem concentrating during Vipassana meditation
- 📝 What dietary practices are most helpful for reaching enlightenment?