Contemplative concordance with creativity
Creativity Studies February 20, 2026 Hari V. Narayanan, Jayprakash Show
Contemplative practices, often thought to stifle creativity because they require discipline and control over wandering thoughts, can actually enhance it. Research shows that mindfulness boosts creativity, creating a paradox. This paper resolves it by arguing that open, non-judgmental attention—a receptive mode—allows beneficial aspects of mind wandering to flourish. Making attention more open and receptive nurtures a creative mode of life.