What is the best way to meditate to increase programming productivity?

Question

Recently, I've added regular exercise to my life. It has given me more overall energy and I have been more productive at work. However, I have also heard that meditation can help you be more focused, and, consequently, more productive. There is a lot of different advice out there, but it is difficult to tell which route go: music, silence, brain-wave sounds, eyes open, eyes closed, seated, laying down, kata. What has worked for you?

To clarify, I am not asking what you do specifically while you are working. Similar to exercise being done before or after work that helps me have more energy during the work hours, I'm looking for meditation to help train my brain to be more focused and creative during the day with deep thought tasks, like programming.

Answer 1

For myself, I've found that some quiet time in the morning to think about what I want to get done really focuses me. If I'm able to take just 15 minutes, it really helps me direct my energy to those things all day long. Basically it's just asking yourself "What do I want to accomplish today?" and then concentrating on how you intend to make that happen.

Answer 2

The Pragmatic Programmers wrote a great book Pragmatic Thinking and Learning which suggests the Vipassana meditation technique:

What you want to attain here is not a trance or to fall asleep or to relax or to contemplate the Great Mystery or any of that (there are other for ms of meditation for those particular activities). Instead, what you want is to sink into a sort of relaxed awareness where you can be aware of your - self and your environment without rendering judgment or making responses. This is known as Vipassana meditation. You want to catch that moment of bare attention where you first notice some- thing but do not give it any additional thought. Let it go. In this style of meditation, “all” you have to do is pay attention to your breath. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but it does have the advantage of not requiring any props or special equipment.

I don't feel comfortable quoting more of the book as they have a full 4 pages on it and I recommend getting it anyway!

Answer 3

What has worked for you?

For me: Tai Chi, a.k.a. "moving meditation", or what you might call a kata.

There is/was a discussion or description of various techniques (including me describing Tai Chi) at http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?joel.3.685608.27 (which someone said was "insightful").

Answer 4

I listen to really spaced out jam music. The floating feel of Phish jams just put my brain in such a mindset that allows me to concentrate on a task and not get distracted.

Answer 5

I had a team leader who used to do Yoga sessions during his lunch break.

I have to say that whenever he had a problem in his mind he was trying to solve, he always or almost always came back from his daily Yoga session either with a decision, or at least with an idea that would potentially lead to the decision.

So, I guess, my suggestion would be to meditate performing a headstand or something along these lines.

Answer 6

The best idea, based on the research I've seen, is to very carefully imagine yourself doing the task ahead of you. Kind of imaginary practice. Dream work.

On mri scans, imagining you're doing something causes exactly the same patterns of brain activity as actually doing it. Imagining that you're doing something strengthens those neural connections, reduces anxiety about the task, and when you come to actually do it, you end up doing it much quicker and more efficiently, and better than if you have no preparation.

This is a technique that gymnasts use as well. It works for any skill really. Programming is no exception.

Answer 7

Some things that seem to engage my deep thinking process are:

Brainwave Symphony - Energize and Focus

and

The ambient section of magnatune, most specifically Robert Rich and his Trances-Drones CDs

Answer 8

Alan Watts - The art of meditation is a great introduction right down to breathing, thinking and posture that would help anyone. (watch all 3 parts).

The Dalai Lama's An Open Heart has a fantastic explanation of meditation for the western mind and introducing it to existing without concepts. All great teachings teach this.

My humble stumblings on meditation:

The most productive time to meditate is early in the morning after a shower. The best way to do it is to do it often, without trying or forcing.

Meditating is experiencing existence, free of concepts or perception. Meditation has no purpose, except to experience. It is letting yourself melt away by simply letting yourself be still, aware, clear, open, present in the moment as many call it.

Water, like the mind is calm when it's left alone.

Sit or lie comfortably. Breathe. Deeper, slower, fuller with each breath.

Take many wandering thoughts to one focus. Then make the jump from one focus to none.

Ironically, this ties to programming because we must learn to see everything as it is. Meditating puts me in a position to create freely and creatively. Just like we get answers in the shower.

Examine how you can be aware of awareness. Examine awareness of your thoughts. Ask your mind to settle and try to experience what's happening to figure it out later, but not when you're meditating. Some tell their thoughts to "just stop".

Feel the blood flow through your entire body, with each beat of your heart. Become your senses.

Over time you will be able to snap yourself in and out of a meditative buzz. It is higher, cleaner, fresher than most buzz's or releases you will find. You may wish you meditate 24/7, it can be that sweet to one's mind and self. I often find it helps more than a nap. I have met people who meditate intensely who sleep 1-2 hours a night. The body is a strange thing.

Best of luck, and be sure to update us on what you found helpful. I keep a meditation journal.

Answer 9

Running. I found that for me, running is a dream-like state, with various thoughts and dialogues popping in the brain like in beginning stages of a dream. Plus, it makes your body feel good.

I also practice lucid dreams/astral projection but I'm not sure it helps.

Controversially, what helped after a short hard spurt of stressful deadline was taking DXM (5 mgm/lb of body weight). My brain cleared out, all my stress disappeared, and I felt like thinking became much easier.