← 10% Happier with Dan Harris

Michael Gelb, Applying Genius Thinking

Nov 28, 2018 1h 13m 13 insights
Michael Gelb found his calling during a tumultuous time in American history. It was during the polarized 1970s Gelb decided he wanted to look for ways to help people clearly think through and debate real issues. He found meditation to be a good starting point, which eventually led him to England, where he studied the spiritual traditions of the world and how they're interconnected. Gelb explains how he took these studies of consciousness and self-awareness and translated them into practical techniques to help people think more clearly and creatively. Have a question for Dan? Leave us a voicemail at 646-883-8326. The Plug Zone Website: https://michaelgelb.com/ Twitter: @MichaelJGelb
Actionable Insights

1. Integrate Poise & Mindfulness

Develop poise and ease in everyday movements through the Alexander Technique to improve overall functioning, respiration, ability to think, and presence. This involves being aware of how you use yourself moment-to-moment and releasing tension, rather than adopting a static ‘posture’.

2. Ask “Is This Useful?”

When you find yourself endlessly running through scenarios or worrying, ask “is this useful?” to discern if the mental activity is productive or if you’re going down a rabbit hole, helping to manage planning and stress.

3. Practice Non-Attachment to Results

Recognize that many outcomes are beyond your control and adopt non-attachment to results as the only sane way to proceed, reducing misery and fostering a healthier approach to goals.

4. Mindfully Plan for the Future

Engage in planning and thinking about the future while remaining mindful and aware in the present moment by touching back into your body, sights, and sounds. This allows for necessary planning without being perpetually present.

5. Observe Meditation Body Sensations

If you experience strong body sensations like vibrations, rushing energy, or involuntary movements during meditation (known as Piti or rapture), recognize them as a normal sign of increased concentration. Be mindful if you are subconsciously feeding pleasant rocking sensations, as you probably don’t need to do so.

6. Cultivate an Inner Smile

To improve your attitude and physical state, turn the corners of your mouth up or think of something funny to smile, fostering a free, humorous, and playful attitude in life. This helps align your body and can prevent feelings of depression.

7. Combat Depression with Posture

If you feel depressed, try aligning around your vertical axis, sitting at your full stature, and opening out and expanding your body. It is suggested that you cannot feel depression if you maintain this upright, open posture.

8. Carry a Notebook for Ideas

To foster creativity, carry a small notebook everywhere and write down any ideas that occur to you, regardless of whether they immediately make sense. This practice is recommended by creative geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci and Edison.

9. Avoid Premature Idea Organization

When generating ideas, be careful of premature organization or judgment, as dismissing seemingly silly or irrelevant ideas too soon can cause you to miss the potential for breakthrough insights that emerge from playing with them.

10. Embrace Creative Uncertainty

Develop the ability to ride uncertainty and become comfortable with the ambiguity of not knowing, as meditation trains your whole being to be more receptive to this state, which is crucial for creative breakthroughs.

11. Manage Emotional Contagion

Recognize that emotions are contagious and decide what kind of emotional state you want to catch and spread, understanding that your state ripples out and influences others.

12. Implement Accountable Goal Setting

For real accountability, clearly state what you will do, how it will be measured, and by when it will be accomplished, ensuring specific and measurable commitments.

13. Integrate Learning Naturally

After intense learning or practice, let go of trying to force specific techniques and instead be receptive to what emerges naturally and has truly been integrated into your life, allowing for authentic self-expression.