Techniques for the slowing of thought?

[brainiac]

Does anyone know how to slow our brain down to the point where we don't need to fix, solve or understand things. Is there some kind of technique? I do a lot of crosswords that helps, also alcohol seems to relax the brain. Any help would be appreciated, I hate waking up at 3 in the morning trying to figure out how the pyramids were built, and not go back to sleep till 6. Thanks

[vkut79]

Haha, INTJs tend to be that way. Although what you are describing seems to be quite an extreme. Drugs are one solution of course, but they are temporary and usually have bad side effects. My advice would be to get in more touch with your feeling side - this could shift the workload away from your analytical processes. Things like socializing and emotionally affective activities will tend to shift the focus of your brain from analytical to feeling. INTJs are particularly predisposed to being analytical, but this is a matter of choice and some balance is important even for the most extreme INTJs.

[pletharoe]

vkut79 is right. In part it's a question of self control. You've just got to decide not to think about it. It's all in your mind, don't think that this is futile, it just takes practice. If you're particularly bad, then some sort of meditative practice may well work (yoga, tai chi etc.) I found that a traditional style of kung fu (called Wing Chun) worked very well for me.

Again, I've got to stress. Don't Tell yourself not to think about stuff, just ignore any thoughts when you have them!

[Antares]

I have that problem as well, but being a music student, I pick up tunes from my surroundings (like 'Waltz of the Flowers' that I just heard from someone's ringtone) and play them over and over in my head. This usually kills any thoughts in my head, but unfortunately the song doesn't go away. Oh well. At least you'll go to sleep remembering a song.

[INTJoe]

Brain,
Why would you want to subdue this? I never feel more alive or awake then when I'm trying to reason how stuff far beyond my capabilities works! That is what Ni is all about!

[vaguely dissatisfied]

Does anyone know how to slow our brain down to the point where we don't need to fix, solve or understand things. Is there some kind of technique? I do a lot of crosswords that helps, also alcohol seems to relax the brain. Any help would be appreciated, I hate waking up at 3 in the morning trying to figure out how the pyramids were built, and not go back to sleep till 6. Thanks
I find that proper diet, lots of water, and a good amount of exercise make me sleepy enough so that when I go to bed I go to sleep and sleep right through until the morning. Even if something wakes me up in the night I can go right back to sleep.

Exercising at night is best.

[AgentofGaming]

I don't know about slowing it down, but you can put it into passive learning mode by watching TV.

I think good schedule and your body gets used to everything as well, so it's easier to sleep at the same time.

[coffeeloverfreak]

I usually read for about 15-20 minutes before bed each night. And I choose books that aren't exactly intellectually stimulating, but instead, are more the "empty calories" type of books. That way it helps me quiet my mind enough to sleep.

[vkut79]

Brain,
Why would you want to subdue this? I never feel more alive or awake then when I'm trying to reason how stuff far beyond my capabilities works! That is what Ni is all about!

Exactly - but he's talking about waking up in the middle of the night in this mode, and its a problem if it keeps you from relaxing enough to sleep. At night I don't want to feel more awake.

Otherwise, though, I totally agree with you. When you find learning new things exciting, life is just a breeze, seriously. Someone who isn't that way may think wow how boring, but to you its interesting. And you don't need much to do it, just time and some resources.

[Paul V]

Focus on solvable problems. Analyze your abilities and learn to determine what can and what can't you solve. And then scold your brain if it wants to work on something you can't possibly solve, like how the Pyramids were built. It takes a lot of discipline, but it can be done. When it all fails, face your brain with logic. It's illogical to pursue something you can't reach, not to mention inefficient.

[AgentofGaming]

I have a good idea.
You should have a dim light, a notebook and a pen beside your bed.
When you wake up in the middle of the night write it all down, you should be able to sleep soundly. For some reason I have a fear of losing ideas.

[stasis]

The discussion about the construction of ancient pyramids has been moved here (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).

[deicruxified]

Does anyone know how to slow our brain down to the point where we don't need to fix, solve or understand things. Is there some kind of technique? I do a lot of crosswords that helps, also alcohol seems to relax the brain. Any help would be appreciated, I hate waking up at 3 in the morning trying to figure out how the pyramids were built, and not go back to sleep till 6. Thanks

ditto... i would often do that. just last week when i watched "the curse of the golden flower" i kept on thinking about the movie's theme etc... i was awake until 4am and i have to force myself to sleep so i tried counting sheep. but then when i was counting sheep, i started to think of sheep jumping over the fence, i started imagining one tripping off and cracking its head open...

damn...

[In Strict Confidence]

There are loads of semi-useful tips out there for sleeping. Check my thread about "sleeping issues" out, for example. But if we stick to slowing down thoughts... I have the same problem. It usually takes me 1-3 hours, and counting stuff wont do shit. Ever heard of mindfulness? its a technique for training your ability to concentrate, for example on feelings or your body, instead of the stream of thoughts. I guess it relates to various forms of meditation and relaxation techniques that might be useful as well.

[anul]

Smoking marijuana, an indica strain, usually slows down my thinking. Not to the point of being brain dead like some may believe. This is much healthier than alcohol as well.

[In Strict Confidence]

Smoking marijuana, an indica strain, usually slows down my thinking. Not to the point of being brain dead like some may believe. This is much healthier than alcohol as well.

This is subject to a lot of debate :p I dont have any scientific results to relate to, though.. I wish I had. That would be quite interesting. Especially if it works well for sleeping issues.

[anul]

This is subject to a lot of debate :p I dont have any scientific results to relate to, though.. I wish I had. That would be quite interesting. Especially if it works well for sleeping issues.

Well two of the side effects for marijuana is being tired and slowing down. Now this side effect usually only happens when you smoke an indica strain of marijuana. If you were to smoke a sativa strain you shouldn't get tired. Since sativa is more of a mental high. So it would most likely keep a person up thinking even more. The problem with marijuana being illegal is you don't generally have an option of what you buy. :(

Also I said it's healthier than alcohol because there is no chance of hangover. Also alcohol intoxicates you much longer than marijuana does.

[Vivid]

I'd suggest developing your P preference, if it's a matter of not having enough fun.

[hidden]

I have a good idea.
You should have a dim light, a notebook and a pen beside your bed.
When you wake up in the middle of the night write it all down, you should be able to sleep soundly. For some reason I have a fear of losing ideas.

The same happens to me when I have a list of things to do and I don't want to forget them. Or if my mind is going a million miles a minute. Writing is theraputic for me.

[thod]

Back in my younger days I found that martial arts were good for stopping the brain. There is nothing like a guy trying to kick you in the head to focus the attention and make you focus. Anything will do though so long its an external stimulation that you must act on. Sitting around isnt good it takes a lot of practice before you can empty your mind via meditation techniques. Once you can though you can sit and stare at the wall for hours without thinking about anything.

[Santana28]

cigarettes help :)

[In Strict Confidence]

The problem with marijuana being illegal is you don't generally have an option of what you buy. :(

Youre right. That is a problem :P

[quentin]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the obvious one: sex. Aside from drugs/alcohol, there's the one state where time literally stands still, the brain shuts down and pure animal instinct takes over. The problem for most INTJs, however, is that it requires a willing partner, and INTJs are infamous for their problems in this arena of life.

Both marijuana and alcohol are excellent in shutting the brain down and learning how to relax. The danger is in overabusing them, and it is another INTJ trait to overdo everything to the point of insanity. We don't have an inbuilt sense of moderation that many other people seem to have.

Exercise can help. Get into some sort of high-intensity physical activity, such as jogging or martial arts. When you're in the zone you're focusing on your body with such intensity that all else slips away. Plus, the euphoria that you get after a high-intensity workout is comparable to any high that you can get from drugs/alcohol. Endorphins give a powerful kick.

[stasis]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the obvious one: sex. Aside from drugs/alcohol, there's the one state where time literally stands still, the brain shuts down and pure animal instinct takes over.
Huh. My experience with sex doesn't involve the brain shutting down or time standing still, or a suspension of thoughtfully deliberate action. Not that it can't be relaxing. You really find yourself thinking substantially less? If so, is that the most common experience?

[Santana28]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the obvious one: sex. Aside from drugs/alcohol, there's the one state where time literally stands still, the brain shuts down and pure animal instinct takes over. The problem for most INTJs, however, is that it requires a willing partner, and INTJs are infamous for their problems in this arena of life.

Both marijuana and alcohol are excellent in shutting the brain down and learning how to relax. The danger is in overabusing them, and it is another INTJ trait to overdo everything to the point of insanity. We don't have an inbuilt sense of moderation that many other people seem to have.

Exercise can help. Get into some sort of high-intensity physical activity, such as jogging or martial arts. When you're in the zone you're focusing on your body with such intensity that all else slips away. Plus, the euphoria that you get after a high-intensity workout is comparable to any high that you can get from drugs/alcohol. Endorphins give a powerful kick.

ahh..yes ;) thats what kept me alive during those late teenage years... lots and lots and LOTS of sex. a great way to forget about thinking too much.

[Nomad]

I agree with some form of martial art, along with meditation. I find my thinking to more focused and clearer, with less monkey mind. Life is about balance, and if you spend too much time in your head, you tend to stay there. Move your body, eat well, drink lots of water. your intellectual problem will be there tomorrow, and if it's not, it's not important.

-Nomad

[OneBadMother]

Playing rhythm games or sports generally helps with the slowing/muting of thought, since it forces you to concentrate on some outside stimulus.

[Scooby]

What seems to work for me at bedtime is to think. I make up intricate stories in my mind. They are usually history related and tend to focus on what ifs. I also like to imagine survival situations where I have to get out alive (stranded in the winter in Alaska or stranded on some tropical island). I try to get as many vivid sensory details as possible. And I try to run the facts of probability. After about 20 to 30 minutes I am out. If I should awake in the middle of the night I think back on the last thing and start from there. I usually go back out in a few minutes. It’s like forcing my brain to think on things that are not existing to tax it in a different way. I must confess that on a few occasions it has kept me up most of the night. But those times are rare. Pulling a couple hundred fence posts in a day will help you go right out as well.