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Creativity and the Zen koan
Psychologia: An International Journal of Psychology in the Orient
Format: Journal Article
Publication Year: 1980
Pages: 1-9
Library/Archive: (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved
Sources ID: 22444
Visibility: Private
Abstract: (Show)

Illustrates certain commonalities between creative problem solving and Zen koan study. The koan is a type of question used in Zen meditation to help a disciple attain spiritual enlightenment. Both involve the following: (a) extinguishing prior interfering approaches, (b) satiation effects resulting from prolonged concentration, (c) unification of contradictory events, (d) more right than left brain hemispheric functioning, and (e) common psychological processes. Both situations share the stages of preparation, incubation, illumination, and evaluation. The stages of preparation and evaluation are seen as necessary but often overlooked aspects of the overall process. In the illumination stage, the experiences of solving a problem or a koan both have the qualities of suddenness and unexpectedness. The incubation stage involves a turning away from direct attacks on the problem; realization of the solution results from the occurrence of a seemingly unrelated event. (14 ref)

Subjects: 
Practices Specific to Zen Buddhism
Psychology and Contemplation
Practices of Buddhist Contemplation
Buddhist Contemplation
Science and Contemplation
Contemplation by Applied Subject
Contemplation by Tradition