Dr. Karl Deisseroth body still mind active

In an episode of the Huberman Lab, Dr. Karl Deisseroth discusses the different cognitive states where the body is still, but the mind remains active. He emphasizes that for some, cognitive clarity is achieved through stillness, while others find their best thoughts come during physical activity. Deisseroth himself needs to be completely still to engage deeply with abstract thoughts, describing it as a kind of meditative, yet non-meditative, state where he deliberately structures his thoughts without bodily movement 1.

This insight was shared during a broader discussion on ADHD, where Andrew Huberman and Dr. Karl Deisseroth explored how ADHD manifests both in hyperactivity and inattentiveness. They noted that a person with ADHD could appear still physically but have a mind that is hyperactive and darting around, highlighting the complex interplay between physical stillness and mental activity 1.

Dr. Karl Deisseroth practices maintaining a still body with an active mind by setting aside specific times for focused contemplation and deep thinking. He describes sitting almost completely still without any distractions, structuring his thoughts in a deliberate manner. This practice is similar to meditation but not exactly the same, as it involves active thinking rather than clearing the mind of thoughts 1.

Dr. Deisseroth has emphasized the importance of having at least an hour of undisturbed time each day for this purpose. This can occur during times like when his kids are napping, or even while driving, since he remains physically still while focusing his thoughts. During the period he was writing his book, he also utilized late-night hours (midnight to 2:00 a.m.) to ensure he had enough focused time for writing and deep thinking without any interruptions. To aid his concentration, he used focus modes on his MacBook and avoided phone distractions 2.

This practice highlights the crucial role of stillness in cognitive clarity and structured thinking for Dr. Deisseroth, contrasting with how some people achieve their best thoughts during physical activity 2.

Yes, Dr. Karl Deisseroth keeps his eyes open during his practice of maintaining a still body with an active mind. He actively engages in a dialogue with himself, constructing thoughts and sentences internally, which is integral to his method of structured thinking 1.

Yes, you can blink during the practice. Dr. Andrew Huberman points out that blinking is necessary and perfectly okay when concentrating your visual focus on an external point during meditation. He emphasizes that meditation should not involve holding your eyelids open without blinking 1 2.