I have no internal dialogue. I've read about people training themselves to shut off their internal dialogue so that they can meditate better. Does this give me a big advantage for meditating? If it does I'll definitely start practicing meditating in order to take advantage of my situation.
Lack of internal dialogue - A plus for meditating?
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Thoreau
Valued Senior Member
It really depends on what type of meditation you are practicing. Most types teach you to shut out that "internal dialogue" to be able to focus purely on existance without distraction. However, there are types of meditation that require to you... for lack of a better term, "have a conversation with yourself".
I have met a lot of people who before meditating say the same thing - that they don't have an internal dialogue. The first step in meditating is to observe, and gradually become more aware of it.
For the past 6 years I have been using one simple technique to keep your mind focused.
Count in your head
"one"
breath in
(while focusing on the sensation on the tip of your nose)
breath out
(focusing on the same/different sensation)
"two"
*repeat until 10, and start at 1*
If your mind wanders, return to 1.
Sit down and do this for half-an-hour. Any time you scratch, or move, or think, or get bored this is your internal dialogue.
For the past 6 years I have been using one simple technique to keep your mind focused.
Count in your head
"one"
breath in
(while focusing on the sensation on the tip of your nose)
breath out
(focusing on the same/different sensation)
"two"
*repeat until 10, and start at 1*
If your mind wanders, return to 1.
Sit down and do this for half-an-hour. Any time you scratch, or move, or think, or get bored this is your internal dialogue.
Focus on breath, use the number so you catch yourself day-dreaming. "Oh what number was I on... shit... 1 *breath*"
Develop focus. You're unable to recognize your internal dialogue. It is useful to observe it, and eventually control it.
spidergoat
Valued Senior Member
Most emphatically yes. Any distraction is a hindrance. However, I have found that when in an enlightened state of satori, the internal dialogue is altered, but doesn't go away. It becomes more free, less driven by anxiety, and you don't identify yourself with it anymore. It's like a brain within a brain. Executive function transfers to another, previously unknown center of consciousness which is perfectly calm, and the dialogue (which can also take the form of images), serves as a kind of engine for the imagination. It informs your responses to a situation in a spontaneous way. It is in fact the source of creativity that is tapped when people become "enlightened". But we have to be paradoxically free of it's grip before we can use it. Making it stop is like trying to catch a feather.
But, but... how the hell can you not have an internal dialogue???
spidergoat
Valued Senior Member
It's common in autistic people. I tend to think in images, or I just perceive what is in the range of my senses, not thinking about anything.
Fraggle Rocker
Staff member
What the heck is an "internal dialogue?" Your Inner Warrior and your Inner Healer arguing over whether you should barbecue the hog or try to resuscitate him?
spidergoat
Valued Senior Member
Um, yeah, pretty much. It's so common, people think it's strange when you tell them that you don't necessarily think in words.
I've been trying to meditate for a few minutes at a time and it actually does help clear out the head, or remove any residue sentiments.
I do try to stop myself from internal dialogue but sometimes it just pops in randomly so I have to wash it out.
I think the most beneficial aspects of meditation is removing lingering moods or sentiments that have carried over possibly from excessive introspection or events from the day before. Depending on the length and duration of the feelings I wish to clear up, I have to spend a proportional amount of time to meditate, and allow those sentiments to "wash away" (that is if you picture your flow of fluids and hormones through your circulatory system as 'carrying' emotions, then your body gets refreshed).
Or at least thats how I picture it.
I do try to stop myself from internal dialogue but sometimes it just pops in randomly so I have to wash it out.
I think the most beneficial aspects of meditation is removing lingering moods or sentiments that have carried over possibly from excessive introspection or events from the day before. Depending on the length and duration of the feelings I wish to clear up, I have to spend a proportional amount of time to meditate, and allow those sentiments to "wash away" (that is if you picture your flow of fluids and hormones through your circulatory system as 'carrying' emotions, then your body gets refreshed).
Or at least thats how I picture it.
That is weird. I do image things in my head all the time, but it's mostly words. Maybe it's an techie kind of thing? I don't know...
Very interesting.
I found words, a very primitive method of communication.
I do not ever think in words.
I see, I understand, I feel, I live-I can not describe.
Always have problems to put thoughts into words.
I know many times I am not understood because the words are inaccurate.
I always dreamed of a sci-fi device that we can transmit thoughts.
Thus we eliminate many misunderstandings.
And until now I thought most people are like me.
But we are different and it is beautiful.
Your sci-fi device can't work. For you to completely know what I mean, you need to be me, and have the same brain as me. You can't possibly know what 'beach' means to me without growing up on one.
To learn a language you must also learn a culture.
etc.
Also this visual thinking you guys describe can also be coined our mental sketch-pads. I find that name more fitting.
To learn a language you must also learn a culture.
etc.
Also this visual thinking you guys describe can also be coined our mental sketch-pads. I find that name more fitting.
*monologue hahaha ...my Latin has seen better days.
..hmmm......yes, and with words you are able to do this.:scratchin:
On must have a vast culture.
Everyone has an internal dialogue, one cannot reason or construct arguments without it. Everyone has rehearsed what they will say at a job interview on a first date, this is an obvious function of internal dialogue. Everyone has it but not every one is aware of it..