Daydreaming, meditating or fantasizing about the future is just letting your mind wander. Scientists tell us that when we are engaged in these alpha state activities, our brains are engaged in what is referred to as self-generated cognition, using our default mode network. Self-generated cognition is just another way of saying that you are focused on thinking about a thought that you created. The thought didn’t occur to you from any association with your external environment. There was not a stimulus to your thought. You are in your own head. You may be planning some future action. You may be remembering something from the past. You may just be thinking about your day. Your mind is wandering. You are not doing anything. You are simply being.
This default mode activity helps us to think deeply and creatively. When we become quiet and meditative, we are better able to solve problems and shift our perspective. Engagement with our inner mind allows us an opportunity to make meaning out of our life experiences. We can connect the dots and get a better grasp of the bigger picture. When we are in this state of consciousness, we are more creative and expressive about our ideas and thoughts. When we tap into our emotions, we are more able to empathize and sympathize with others. Reflecting on our own emotional states helps us to identify with our community. We recognize that each human being experiences a wide range of emotional ups and downs, and in that recognition, we feel a connection to humanity. We’re all in this together.
In order to take advantage of this default mode, you must break away from the external distractions and go within. You must allow your mind to be silent. Do this by using deep breathing methods to create a self-hypnotic or meditative state.
When you separate yourself from conscious thoughts, your subconscious mind is consolidating past experiences and preparing to react to similar experiences in the future. You are not wasting your time by daydreaming. You are actively engaged in creating your reality. Your brain is very much at work even though it may feel like you’re on pause. In fact, a group of brain regions actually increase in activity whenever you aren’t focused on a task. This is known as the default mode network or stream of consciousness. Remember that the word “default” means that something happens automatically or without any active consideration.
Since we are constantly being exposed to a large amount of information streaming into our surroundings, it could be that this default mode helps us to make sense of the information. Our resting state is able to process our internal reactions and responses to our outside environment. When we take the time to go within, we can reflect on our actions and review our perceptions, We can come to terms with things. We can make plans and move on. When we go within, we have access to our inner wisdom.
Your inner wisdom is accessed through silent reflection. You know the answers to your problems. You know more than anyone else about how to solve whatever problem you may have. Your soul knows what you need to do and how you need to be. Don’t keep secrets from yourself. Go within. Take advantage of your own default mode. Viktor Frankl reminds us of our power and where we can access it. He says, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”