Creativity
is unavoidably linked to a state called hypnagogia. Just like
creativity, this altered state has various definitional theories and
estimated casual attributions. However, in my own words, hypnagogia
is a relaxed, meditative state that is usually associated with
lighter stages of sleep; it is also the state of the mind and body
right before succumbing to sleep. Furthermore, it has been greatly
linked to meditation, as it is when the body and its external
environment are forgotten, and attention is solely focused mentally.
Hypnagogia
varies from person to person, from situation to situation, but is
most often associated with certain bodily sensations and visual
imagery. These phenomena include the feelings of floating, falling,
or vibrating, and visuals usually consisting of geometric patterns
and shapes. However, the phosphenes (in layman's terms, the
appearance of light when there is none) can take the shape of very
detailed images, even specific landscapes and faces. Sounds, though
not the most common type of experience, are also frequently reported,
in terms of buzzing, static, water, even voices, and music. As I
stated previously, the sensations during hypnagogia are highly
dependent on the person and context.
There
are many theories as to the neurological basis of hypnagogia. An
early explanation claimed that this state is the best example of
auto-symbolism, which is when whatever we are thinking is converted
into visual metaphor. Some psychologists note that the experienced
hypnagogic imagery and sensations are less like that seen during REM
sleep; instead, they have much more in common with states such as
meditation, sensory deprivation, and the psychedelic effects from
hallucinogenic substances. Some medical researchers suggest that the
pineal gland releases an increased amount of DMT during hypnagogic
states that is characterized by predominant theta brainwaves. (Theta
waves are regularly associated with deep meditation, light sleep, and
some REM sleep. It is interesting to note that research indicates
that hypnagogia can be experienced during pre-alpha, alpha, and theta
brainwave patterns.)
So
where does creativity come in with all this? To bring this closer to
home, think of all the times you have had a great idea or solution
upon waking or just falling asleep. This was your hypnagogic state
coming into play. Hundreds of famous creators have utilized the
hypnagogic state, whether they used that specific term or not. Though
creativity and hypnagogia related phenomena are hard to define, it is
indisputable that creative breakthroughs can be created, fostered,
and realized during hypnagogic states.
In
class, we watched Steve Wozniak talk about how he had his eureka
moment in conceptualizing the method of putting colors into
computers. He had not slept for four days and four nights. Wozniak
reported laying down, being incredibly relaxed, almost to the point
of sleep, but not quite asleep yet. Suddenly he started visualizing
dots in sequence moving across his closed eyes' perception. He
immediately awoke with the beginning of his breakthrough in the color
input of computers. This all came to him during the hypnagogic state
after he had been contemplating how to accomplish such a seemingly
impossible feat.
Another
example touched upon in class was with the chemist August Kekulé. He
was trying to understand the structure of the molecule benzene. He
fell asleep in front of a fire and visualized a classic ouroboros as
a series of molecules made out of snakes, each one swallowing the
tail of the next snake. He suddenly knew (and could visualize) the
previously unknown chemical structure of benzene.
Thomas
Edison famously utilized a very specific technique when it came to
his own creative process of problem solving. Whenever he was stumped
on a particular problem, he would settle himself in a comfortable
chair for his regular twenty minute naps. In front of him, he would
have a pad of paper and pencil ready to jot down anything that came
to mind. While napping, he would hold steel bearings, and on the
ground, beneath his hands, were tin plates. As he began to slip into
sleep, one or both of the bearings would slip out of his grip,
clashing onto the tin plates, and fully waking Edison. It was in that
period of being half-awake, half-asleep that countless new ideas and
solutions came to him.
Salvador
Dali used a similar method for new ideas that he called “slumber
with a key.” Instead of steel bearings, he used a heavy key held in
a suspended arm above a plate. He would start to fall asleep, and the
key would fall onto the plate, rousing him. He would wake up with new
images to illustrate and new ideas to convey. His use of the
hypnagogic state is undoubtedly one of the reasons he has such vivid
dream imagery in his art. He was in fact painting from his
semi-conscious dreams!
As
just shown, no matter the field or domain inhabited, any person can
utilize hypnagogia in creative thinking and problem solving. Whether
that person is an artist, chemist, inventor, engineer, or scientist
does not matter.
But
why is this so? According
to the hypnagogic specialist Dr. Mavromatis, "most, if not all,
of the conditions of creativity are present in hypnagogia."
Another psychologist, Dr. Budzynski, wrote, "the Twilight State
(i.e. hypnagogic state) is important because it represents a state of
mind which facilitates creative associations and the assimilation of
certain types of information, both verbal and imaginal, without the
usual critical screening which is operative during the waking, fully
conscious state."
By
focusing attention inwards and letting go of external stimuli, the
brainwaves within your head slow into the alpha-theta region
(depending on your experience, practice, and present context). This
allows creative thoughts, insights, and ideas to surface seemingly
without effort. Self-induced hypnagogia is not only a possibility, it
is attainable for everyone! However, since it may seem difficult to
maintain this state without falling asleep (as it is basically
putting your body to sleep, while retaining your mind's
consciousness), some see it as an ungraspable task.
But
it is entirely possible for every living person. Hypnagogia has
already been present in many different mediums, whether it be lucid
dreaming, yoga nidra, day dreaming, meditation, Buddhist practices,
or sleeping/waking itself.
This
is where our readings come in. My favorite was Kaufman and Beghetto's
“Four C Model of Creativity,” and I think hypnagogia can play
marvelously into that. Whether you are engaging in everyday
creativity (little c), personal interpretation of experiences (mini
c), professional creativity (Pro-c), or eminent creative
accomplishments (Big C), hypnagogia can be an incredibly useful aid.
Not only is it possible for all levels of C/c, it is already
happening. Various artists, of all types of C/c, utilize hypnagogia
whether they realize the phenomena or not. Plenty of past Big C
creative geniuses already have (as I have previously shown). Even in
little c or mini c, people utilize this state everyday. I myself have
used it in different ways, and know many lucid dreamers and
meditation practitioners who have as well.
Hypnagogia
is not just an extremely interesting altered state; it is a process,
idea, and discovery eternally tied to creativity and its catharsis.
Useful
Articles:
Doug Rauch, former president of grocery chain, Trader Joe's, began searching for an innovative way to decrease the amount of food wasted each year. The extreme amount of food that is simply wasted coupled with the high percentage of Americans lacking appropriate nutrition and access to healthy foods alarmed Rauch so he started looking for ways to remedy two problems: eliminate food waste and serve those who are in need of nutritious, affordable food. Rauch has extensive experience with the food world, and has had first-hand experience with the problems grocery stores face with leftover and overstocked food. He has also observed the growing need for affordable and healthy foods, especially for Americans living in low-income "food desert" communities.
