Found in 2 comments on Hacker News
PaulHoule · 2023-07-24 · Original thread
In this book

https://www.amazon.com/High-Performance-Mind-Anna-Wise/dp/08...

and elsewhere I've seen "theta state meditations" that start with calming down and then, for instance, imagining that you are doing a lot of motion in a complex 3-d space like going down a shaft, slide 40 feet to the left, go up some stairs, turn around and run forward 100 feet, fly up into the air, ... Then when you stop you go into a daydreamy state.

qaexl · 2008-12-23 · Original thread
The buddahnet.net looks like it has some pretty good information.

For a different take, check out Anne Wise's "High Performance Mind" http://www.amazon.com/High-Performance-Mind-Anna-Wise/dp/087...

The former focuses on a form of meditation called mindfulness. It lets you be more present without the distractions of the monkey mind. It means that when you start coding, you don't easily follow the distractions that keep you from coding.

The latter focuses on the different states of mind, running the gamut from wakefulness all the way to deep sleep. You learn how to access each of those states at-will. There is a bigger emphasis on guided meditation (as opposed to mindfulness) and includes techniques on dealing with what comes up from the subconscious. The book includes both theory and practices, and is definitely hackable.

Both approaches complement each other, though both will require practice. If one doesn't work initially, I recommend trying the other. The resulting skill is worth the effort.

Whether you are practicing mindfulness or using guided meditation, I recommend timeboxing your meditation, either by getting a kitchen timer or using incense. Without timeboxing, it is unlikely you will be able to relax deeply enough -- some part of you will keep thinking there is something else to do. If you've never done this before, I'd start with 5 mins a day, work your way up to 10, then 30 mins. 5 mins of mindfulness practice is a very long time for someone conditioned to 30 second attention spans. The key is daily practice.

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