David Rome: Conversation about contemplative thinking

In this conversation, we talk about ‘Contemplative Thinking’: How it differs from what we usually describe as ‘thinking’, and how it fosters creativity. In case you want to come back to specific explanations of this process after listening to the podcast as a whole, see: – Description of the 3 phases: From 18’45” to 20’50” – How this is not just a shift in intentionality, it is a different body experience that allows fresh thinking: From 21’00” to 25’30” – How this applies to real life, in real-time: From 25’30” to 34’00” By the way, this recorded conversation is an instance of creative thinking fostered by an environment that is safe and stimulating. David’s presence and his way of holding the space made it possible for me (Serge) to go further into the concepts than I had before, with a sense of effortlessness, as if I was observing their unfolding and describing it, David I. Rome is the developer of Mindful Focusing, an integration of Eugene Gendlin’s Felt-Sense Focusing and Buddhist mindfulness-awareness practices (http://www.mindfulfocusing.com). He is the author of Your Body Knows the Answer; Using Your Felt Sense to Solve Problems, Effect Change, and Liberate Creativity (Shambhala Publications, 2014). David currently serves as board president for the Focusing Institute. Earlier in his career, David studied Buddhism and trained in meditation and other contemplative practices with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, whom he also served as a private secretary for many years. Published April 2016. See also conversation on Mindful Focusing.