Survey of Meditation and Creativity

For this study I am asking you to participate in this 10 minute mindfulness meditation before practicing the creative activity of your choice. It can be anything creative you enjoy such as drawing, painting, dancing, playing music, making jewelry, writing or whatever it is that you are into. Then after conducting your creative activity for 30 minutes or longer answer the questions in the following survey.



To meditate means to engage in contemplation, reflection, or in mental exercise. The goal of mindfulness meditation is to keep your mind focused on the present moment. When you find yourself drifting off into thoughts, notice what these thoughts are and then bring your attention back to the feeling of your breathing. Notice and observe the thought patterns and emotion patterns that arise but do not get caught up with them or judge them, just let them be what they are.



Here are some instructions on how to practice this meditation:

1) Allow yourself about ten minutes for this meditation. Begin in a quiet relaxing room where there will be little distractions. If needed set an alarm so you know when to come out of it. You might want to turn your phone off or into airplane mode and tell anyone around what you are doing and that you don’t want to be distracted.

2) Find a comfortable seated position. This can be in a chair or on the floor whichever you find more suitable. Just be sure that you can feel relaxed in this position for a few minutes.

3) Close your eyes and notice the sounds coming and going, then notice how your body feels. Observe and accept these things for what they are. Let everything be as it wants to be.

4) Slowly take a deep breath in completely filling your lungs and then slowly exhale the air. Notice how this feels. Continue to take slow and deep breaths observing every sensation it creates.

5) Allow whatever arises in your experience - visual images, sounds, physical sensations, feelings, thoughts - to come and go, to move freely. Be aware and observe the random thoughts that come to your mind, and then gently let them pass by. Do not be fascinated by or struggle with your thoughts just observe their existence without judgement. Remain present.

6) You can use your breath as an anchor when your mind wanders. Just return your mind to observing the feeling of your breath.



After this meditation practice the creative activity of your choice for 30 minutes or more. Then return to this page, press next, and complete the survey that is on the following page. If you would like to see the results of this survey please email me at aedgar@ramapo.edu

Thank you so much for your participation!