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Mindwandering: How Your Constant Mental Drift Can Improve Your Mood and Boost Your Creativity
“One of the pre-eminent cognitive neuroscientists of his generation” explores the proven benefits of letting your mind wander and the positive impact it can have on your mood and creative potential (Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling On Happiness).
Our brains are noisy; certain regions are always grinding away at involuntary activities like daydreaming, worrying about the future, and self-chatter, taking up to forty-seven percent of our waking time. This is mindwandering—and while it can tug your attention away from the present and contribute to anxiety and depression, cognitive neuroscientist Moshe Bar is here to tell you about the method behind this apparent madness.
Mindwandering is the first popular book to explore this multi-faceted phenomenon of your wandering mind and introduces you to the new, exciting research behind it. Bar combines his decades of research to explain the benefits and the possible cost of mindwandering within the broader context of psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry and philosophy, providing you with practical knowledge that can help you:
Develop your sense of self, better relate to others, and make associations that help you understand the world around you
Increase your ability to focus by understanding when to wander—and when not to
Magnify and enrich your experiences by learning about full immersion
Stimulate your creativity by combing through the past and making predictions about the future
Boost your mood by unleashing your mind.
Our brains are noisy; certain regions are always grinding away at involuntary activities like daydreaming, worrying about the future, and self-chatter, taking up to forty-seven percent of our waking time. This is mindwandering—and while it can tug your attention away from the present and contribute to anxiety and depression, cognitive neuroscientist Moshe Bar is here to tell you about the method behind this apparent madness.
Mindwandering is the first popular book to explore this multi-faceted phenomenon of your wandering mind and introduces you to the new, exciting research behind it. Bar combines his decades of research to explain the benefits and the possible cost of mindwandering within the broader context of psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry and philosophy, providing you with practical knowledge that can help you:
Develop your sense of self, better relate to others, and make associations that help you understand the world around you
Increase your ability to focus by understanding when to wander—and when not to
Magnify and enrich your experiences by learning about full immersion
Stimulate your creativity by combing through the past and making predictions about the future
Boost your mood by unleashing your mind.
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Published February 8, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 1, 2022
Mindwandering by Moshe Bar
What: This non-fiction book is a deep dive on the brain. It goes behind the scenes to describe how our brains work and what’s going on when our minds disappear down rabbit holes.
Who: Author Moshe Bar is a cognitive neuroscientist.
When: Bar describes the results of research studies undertaken in the past 10 to 15 years.
Where: Primarily the United States and Israel.
How: It’s possible to actively promote creativity and other mind states, such as flow.
What I Thought: In an engaging style reminiscent of Ethan Kross’ Chatter, Moshe Bar’s Mindwandering is an interesting look at the mind, the brain, and the role biology plays in our day-to-day experiences.
Author Moshe Bar deftly switches between his personal experiences, research studies, and pop culture references while talking about a rather scientific topic. His tone is clever and interesting, and while sometimes he gets pretty wordy, his analysis is infused with humor.
Bar describes the evolutionary basis for our thoughts, including the way people perceive imminent threats and prepare for them (which can contribute to anxiety), the use of past experiences to predict future possibilities and patterns, and the biological reasons our brains keep us grounded in either the past or the future.
Technological advancements have allowed scientists such as Bar to explore and confirm theories about how human brains behave even when people aren’t engaging in a specific task. The term “mindwandering” is another way of describing mental drift, or daydreaming. What are our brains busy doing when we aren’t doing anything at all?
It turns out they are often processing thoughts such as ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. We can choose to engage in activities that improve our moods by changing our thought patterns.
There are three types of idleness: doing nothing and being bored, doing nothing and being happy about being nothing, and doing nothing but extensively and creatively daydreaming.
Throughout the book, Bar proscribes different activities that can be done to help improve our moods, expand our creativity, and tackle challenging problems. Much of the book can be looked at as an advertisement for meditation, which is the second type of idleness: purposefully doing nothing, and which is helpful for brain functioning, life satisfaction, and mental health.
Bar describes types of thoughts and thought patterns as either top-down or bottom-up and reveals the situations in which each is preferable. He also introduces concepts including states of mind, tolerance of uncertainty, and inhibition. The appendix to the book features recommendations from the author on how to best appreciate life by immersing oneself in the present moment.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Mindwandering.
What: This non-fiction book is a deep dive on the brain. It goes behind the scenes to describe how our brains work and what’s going on when our minds disappear down rabbit holes.
Who: Author Moshe Bar is a cognitive neuroscientist.
When: Bar describes the results of research studies undertaken in the past 10 to 15 years.
Where: Primarily the United States and Israel.
How: It’s possible to actively promote creativity and other mind states, such as flow.
What I Thought: In an engaging style reminiscent of Ethan Kross’ Chatter, Moshe Bar’s Mindwandering is an interesting look at the mind, the brain, and the role biology plays in our day-to-day experiences.
Author Moshe Bar deftly switches between his personal experiences, research studies, and pop culture references while talking about a rather scientific topic. His tone is clever and interesting, and while sometimes he gets pretty wordy, his analysis is infused with humor.
Bar describes the evolutionary basis for our thoughts, including the way people perceive imminent threats and prepare for them (which can contribute to anxiety), the use of past experiences to predict future possibilities and patterns, and the biological reasons our brains keep us grounded in either the past or the future.
Technological advancements have allowed scientists such as Bar to explore and confirm theories about how human brains behave even when people aren’t engaging in a specific task. The term “mindwandering” is another way of describing mental drift, or daydreaming. What are our brains busy doing when we aren’t doing anything at all?
It turns out they are often processing thoughts such as ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. We can choose to engage in activities that improve our moods by changing our thought patterns.
There are three types of idleness: doing nothing and being bored, doing nothing and being happy about being nothing, and doing nothing but extensively and creatively daydreaming.
Throughout the book, Bar proscribes different activities that can be done to help improve our moods, expand our creativity, and tackle challenging problems. Much of the book can be looked at as an advertisement for meditation, which is the second type of idleness: purposefully doing nothing, and which is helpful for brain functioning, life satisfaction, and mental health.
Bar describes types of thoughts and thought patterns as either top-down or bottom-up and reveals the situations in which each is preferable. He also introduces concepts including states of mind, tolerance of uncertainty, and inhibition. The appendix to the book features recommendations from the author on how to best appreciate life by immersing oneself in the present moment.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Mindwandering.
April 28, 2022
I noticed some editing errors: wander instead of wonder, and fanaticizing rather than fantasizing, car breaks instead of brakes. A quick run through ProWritingAid would find those. It is pretty unprofessional to miss easy edits like that.
Sometimes a non-fiction book is made more accessible when the author shares part of themselves. Not in this case. I got so distracted by the author insertion that I can barely tell you what theories he is trying to advance.
I am also a bit doubtful about a brain scientist who knows he has ADHD, knows his three kids have it, but is vehemently opposed to any of them having a test to confirm his diagnosis, and refuses to even consider that they might want to take medication. What if it helps them?
Hand wobble.
I am reminded of the old adage about the lawyer who has himself for a client is a fool.
He thinks meditation is a bad thing. Blinks. Evidently, it takes us too much out of ourselves. Isn’t that the point? And he doesn’t like ‘flow’ for being too immersive.
Plus, he thinks ‘queer’ is an abusive term and does not know that the LGBTQ+ community has co-opted it for themselves quite a while ago.
No one in the room has as many degrees as me, he opines. Makes a face. DUDE.
Then he writes about how he was off-road driving with his child on his lap, rolled the car and threw her out of the vehicle to save her - eyes narrow - maybe if she had been in a proper child car seat with her freaking seatbelt on, you might not have rolled the car?
He confesses to being a zombie parent; the kind who was just not there in moments with his children when they were young.
Now THIS is a thing that we KNOW messes up kids for life.
I wanted to like this book.
But... I really do not like the author. If I met him at a party, I would not only be backing away, I’d be taking others with me.
2 stars
so far this year, my library saved me A$1,079.85
Sometimes a non-fiction book is made more accessible when the author shares part of themselves. Not in this case. I got so distracted by the author insertion that I can barely tell you what theories he is trying to advance.
I am also a bit doubtful about a brain scientist who knows he has ADHD, knows his three kids have it, but is vehemently opposed to any of them having a test to confirm his diagnosis, and refuses to even consider that they might want to take medication. What if it helps them?
Hand wobble.
I am reminded of the old adage about the lawyer who has himself for a client is a fool.
He thinks meditation is a bad thing. Blinks. Evidently, it takes us too much out of ourselves. Isn’t that the point? And he doesn’t like ‘flow’ for being too immersive.
Plus, he thinks ‘queer’ is an abusive term and does not know that the LGBTQ+ community has co-opted it for themselves quite a while ago.
No one in the room has as many degrees as me, he opines. Makes a face. DUDE.
Then he writes about how he was off-road driving with his child on his lap, rolled the car and threw her out of the vehicle to save her - eyes narrow - maybe if she had been in a proper child car seat with her freaking seatbelt on, you might not have rolled the car?
He confesses to being a zombie parent; the kind who was just not there in moments with his children when they were young.
Now THIS is a thing that we KNOW messes up kids for life.
I wanted to like this book.
But... I really do not like the author. If I met him at a party, I would not only be backing away, I’d be taking others with me.
2 stars
so far this year, my library saved me A$1,079.85
April 5, 2022
Mindwandering is a book that blends neuroscience with personal experiences of mindfulness meditation in a way that I found pretty delightful as a person who enjoys bouncing between disciplines and making connections. Though the structure of the book I found a little difficult to follow at times—a little ironically, Bar can kind of wander and make it hard to track where you are in the narrative or what the ultimate conclusion will be—if you release expectation of a fully unifying result and just enjoy some of the insights from the research, you’ll learn some fascinating things about how the brain works!
Bar, a cognitive neuroscientist, explores research from different disciplines in order to form not quite a unifying theory of mindwandering, but certainly an interesting set of connections that are directly applicable to experience. “Mindwandering,” in this context, refers to all the activities of the brain that take place when we are not focused on a specific task. These activities can be creative and expansive, such as daydreaming and creative association, but mindwandering also can take us out of the present moment, lead us to overly trust internal patterns over external observations, and spiral into rumination. Ideally we want to be aware of how our minds wander and direct this “default mode” in desirable directions.
The functions of mindwandering occupy a broad range. We use it for creative incubation, to run simulations that keep us prepared and more able to make decisions by predicting what will happen in the future, even to form a sense of self. I found the latter particularly fascinating. As a neurodivergent person, I couldn’t help but resonate with an explanation of how we develop a “false self” when our needs aren’t met through being our authentic selves (e.g., masking) and wonder how my difficulty detecting sarcasm might relate to the differences in how my mind wanders (as mindwandering is also implicated in Theory of Mind).
While much of the research described in this book is most significant simply in how new connections are being made regarding how the brain works, there are also plenty of practical applications. Perhaps the simplest is understanding that constant focus is not the goal. Meditation is explored as a tool for developing awareness and more ease in switching between “modes” of concentrated focus and more open association, and Bar’s findings on how our states of mind are composed of a number of linked elements (some of which are in our conscious control) can help readers to take advantage of their current state and perhaps reduce boredom or improve mood. Certainly worth a read for anyone who is interested in understanding a little more about how the brain works.
(ARC provided by NetGalley.)
Bar, a cognitive neuroscientist, explores research from different disciplines in order to form not quite a unifying theory of mindwandering, but certainly an interesting set of connections that are directly applicable to experience. “Mindwandering,” in this context, refers to all the activities of the brain that take place when we are not focused on a specific task. These activities can be creative and expansive, such as daydreaming and creative association, but mindwandering also can take us out of the present moment, lead us to overly trust internal patterns over external observations, and spiral into rumination. Ideally we want to be aware of how our minds wander and direct this “default mode” in desirable directions.
The functions of mindwandering occupy a broad range. We use it for creative incubation, to run simulations that keep us prepared and more able to make decisions by predicting what will happen in the future, even to form a sense of self. I found the latter particularly fascinating. As a neurodivergent person, I couldn’t help but resonate with an explanation of how we develop a “false self” when our needs aren’t met through being our authentic selves (e.g., masking) and wonder how my difficulty detecting sarcasm might relate to the differences in how my mind wanders (as mindwandering is also implicated in Theory of Mind).
While much of the research described in this book is most significant simply in how new connections are being made regarding how the brain works, there are also plenty of practical applications. Perhaps the simplest is understanding that constant focus is not the goal. Meditation is explored as a tool for developing awareness and more ease in switching between “modes” of concentrated focus and more open association, and Bar’s findings on how our states of mind are composed of a number of linked elements (some of which are in our conscious control) can help readers to take advantage of their current state and perhaps reduce boredom or improve mood. Certainly worth a read for anyone who is interested in understanding a little more about how the brain works.
(ARC provided by NetGalley.)
February 8, 2022
Mindwandering is an interesting look at the neuroscience and psychology behind our brain’s insistence on constantly wandering away, seemingly of its own accord.
Stylistically, the writing is more pop culture than in-depth exploration, with a good mix of personal anecdotes and neuroscience research. It’s an easy read, perfect for people who want the basics.
I was disappointed in Bar’s brief mention of the mind and pain perception. Bar acknowledges that being fully immersed in an enjoyable activity could, theoretically, help us cope with pain. He says that, while this “could be true,” he’s not aware of scientific findings and personally believes that pain always takes priority. I’m surprised that a neuroscientist would be so uninformed on this topic in regards to chronic pain conditions. Anyone like myself who lives with autoimmune disease and/or chronic illness (for me: late-stage Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and the list goes on) knows that losing ourselves in an activity is often the only time we forget the pain.
Aside from this, I found Mindwandering an entertaining reminder to live in the moment, and not worry so much about where my mind takes me.
*I received an ARC from Hachette Go.*
Stylistically, the writing is more pop culture than in-depth exploration, with a good mix of personal anecdotes and neuroscience research. It’s an easy read, perfect for people who want the basics.
I was disappointed in Bar’s brief mention of the mind and pain perception. Bar acknowledges that being fully immersed in an enjoyable activity could, theoretically, help us cope with pain. He says that, while this “could be true,” he’s not aware of scientific findings and personally believes that pain always takes priority. I’m surprised that a neuroscientist would be so uninformed on this topic in regards to chronic pain conditions. Anyone like myself who lives with autoimmune disease and/or chronic illness (for me: late-stage Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and the list goes on) knows that losing ourselves in an activity is often the only time we forget the pain.
Aside from this, I found Mindwandering an entertaining reminder to live in the moment, and not worry so much about where my mind takes me.
*I received an ARC from Hachette Go.*
December 19, 2022
This is definitely one of the best books I’ve read that came out in 2022. Moshe Bar is a cognitive neuroscientist who researches how our minds wander as well as how focused attention can improve our lives. There’s a ton of research in this book that will help you live a better life and hopefully pique your interest in mindfulness. Mindfulness helped save my life when I got sober, and Moshe does an excellent job discussing the research, what’s true about it and what’s overhyped.
I guess my only criticism would be that this book is less about mindwandering, and it’s more about focused attention. I got the book because I’ve come across a few studies on how mindwandering is useful, so I thought that’d be what this whole book is about, but most of it is about mindfulness, which is really about paying attention. Nevertheless, one of my fav books of the year, and you should check it out.
I guess my only criticism would be that this book is less about mindwandering, and it’s more about focused attention. I got the book because I’ve come across a few studies on how mindwandering is useful, so I thought that’d be what this whole book is about, but most of it is about mindfulness, which is really about paying attention. Nevertheless, one of my fav books of the year, and you should check it out.
August 20, 2022
really interesting ideas but not the greatest author
August 12, 2022
I kept falling asleep so only got through first few chapters. I ended up skipping to the appendix that had all the 'tips'. Maybe I missed something but it just didn't feel that revelatory to me - at least not given the hype around the book. I was more taken with The Body Keeps The Score in terms of compelling neuroscience books published lately.
September 26, 2023
Repeated himself frequently, barely touched on scientific study results, and is not a meditation master
June 20, 2022
This is a book that presents a broad knowledge of how our brain works, combining neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and meditation. So, it's not »just« about attention, mindwandering and creativity. Bar has a quite simple writing style that can mislead the reader into feeling it is a light read, but if you read it carefully, you will find that it contains an amazing amount of information. Usually authors include specific examples from the live of others, but Bar incorporates examples from his life, making it clear how immersed, enthusiastic and thorough he is in the subject. This is probably also because the topic comes from his own personal experiences with mindwandering and ADHD. In the book he also presents a novel perspective on mindwandering that goes beyond its usual black (vs white) categorization and offers a new context, direction, and support for people with attention deficits. I highly recommend the book.
Additional note: After reading the book, I was very surprised at some of the criticisms made here, because they are simply not true. The author doesn't say that mindfulness doesn't help, or that it is even the focus of the book. That is the opposite of what the author writes, and it is not the focus of the book. Also, he doesn't write that distraction or immersion in the activity doesn't help, but he writes that if the pain is severe, that doesn't help either. I can confirm that from my own experience. But he also admits that he is not an expert in the field, which I find very sincere and congruent with true scientific orientation. Why someone decides to write her opinion about the author and not about the content is beyond me, I just hope that Goodreads doesn't become another social media platform of influencers, but at least stays on this level.
Additional note: After reading the book, I was very surprised at some of the criticisms made here, because they are simply not true. The author doesn't say that mindfulness doesn't help, or that it is even the focus of the book. That is the opposite of what the author writes, and it is not the focus of the book. Also, he doesn't write that distraction or immersion in the activity doesn't help, but he writes that if the pain is severe, that doesn't help either. I can confirm that from my own experience. But he also admits that he is not an expert in the field, which I find very sincere and congruent with true scientific orientation. Why someone decides to write her opinion about the author and not about the content is beyond me, I just hope that Goodreads doesn't become another social media platform of influencers, but at least stays on this level.
June 4, 2025
What do our minds are doing when they aren’t focused — which, it turns out, is nearly half of our waking hours. Mindwandering is the brain’s default mode. Whether it’s daydreaming, reliving the past, or worrying about the future, our minds are constantly making connections and asking: what is this like?
Rather than seeing this mental drift as a problem, Bar shows how it helps us solve problems, generate creative ideas, and prepare for future challenges. He also emphasizes that emotions don’t start in the brain, but in the body, and that much of life happens in our heads — through the stories we tell ourselves.
Key insights:
-Self-talk is structured because language helps us think clearly.
-The more experiences we have, the more we interpret the world through memory — which can be limiting.
-Creativity thrives on curiosity and emotional openness, and people in good moods tend to be more innovative.
-Brain health improves with novelty and engagement — even as we age.
The author's message is: think less, experience more. This book is a thoughtful reminder to stop overanalyzing and be present — because sometimes letting your mind drift is exactly what you need.
Rather than seeing this mental drift as a problem, Bar shows how it helps us solve problems, generate creative ideas, and prepare for future challenges. He also emphasizes that emotions don’t start in the brain, but in the body, and that much of life happens in our heads — through the stories we tell ourselves.
Key insights:
-Self-talk is structured because language helps us think clearly.
-The more experiences we have, the more we interpret the world through memory — which can be limiting.
-Creativity thrives on curiosity and emotional openness, and people in good moods tend to be more innovative.
-Brain health improves with novelty and engagement — even as we age.
The author's message is: think less, experience more. This book is a thoughtful reminder to stop overanalyzing and be present — because sometimes letting your mind drift is exactly what you need.
March 23, 2022
As somebody who’s mind is wandering by writing this very review, I have to highly praise Moshe Bar for his well-written book! I made sure to take my time unlike other books because I really wanted to write down any bits of info that stood out to me, and there was A LOT! I like how Bar doesn’t write like a usual neuroscientist or expert on something, just sticking to the facts. He draws on experiences from his own life and his skepticism around meditation, and it’s very entertaining. He is a good writer too - I know this book will stay in my mind if my mind starts to wander! Highly recommended!
September 29, 2024
Listening to Mindwandering by Moshe Bar including in my audible subscription.
Introduction: States of mind
1. Always "on".
2. Connecting with our thoughts.
3. The journey from now.
4. What do we wonder about? Our self first.
5.This way something potentially wicked comes.
6. Future memories: Learning from imagined experiences.
7.The loss of novelty
8. Templates of mind and the limits of boundaries.
9.Breadth of thought, creativity and mood.
10.Meditation, the default brain, and the quality of our experience.
11. Immersed living
12. An optimal mind for the occasion.
In sum: five points to keep in mind
Appendix : from the lab to everyday life.
Introduction: States of mind
1. Always "on".
2. Connecting with our thoughts.
3. The journey from now.
4. What do we wonder about? Our self first.
5.This way something potentially wicked comes.
6. Future memories: Learning from imagined experiences.
7.The loss of novelty
8. Templates of mind and the limits of boundaries.
9.Breadth of thought, creativity and mood.
10.Meditation, the default brain, and the quality of our experience.
11. Immersed living
12. An optimal mind for the occasion.
In sum: five points to keep in mind
Appendix : from the lab to everyday life.
January 19, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of MINDWANDERING: HOWYOUR CONSTNAT MENTAL DRIFT CAN IMPROVE YOUR MOOD AND BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY by Moshe Bar from Hachette Go (Pub Date 2/8/2022)!
I really had a lot of fun during #NonfictionNovember so I do also want to try to get more nonfiction reads in this year. I started off the year with MINDWANDERING which is an examination of our mind’s inclination to wander and why this is a necessary and sometimes useful function. I am always intrigued by the brain and the way our minds work. This was a great pick for my #AroundTheYearIn52Books prompt for a book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind.
The author, Moshe Bar, is a neuroscientist, but he brings in issues of psychology, psychiatry, medication and more in his research into the mind’s work. I have really appreciated that he also addresses the differences in some topics when people are neurodivergent and that not all brains work the same. There were places where this felt slow and a few where I wanted to know more, but overall this was an interesting read.
I really had a lot of fun during #NonfictionNovember so I do also want to try to get more nonfiction reads in this year. I started off the year with MINDWANDERING which is an examination of our mind’s inclination to wander and why this is a necessary and sometimes useful function. I am always intrigued by the brain and the way our minds work. This was a great pick for my #AroundTheYearIn52Books prompt for a book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind.
The author, Moshe Bar, is a neuroscientist, but he brings in issues of psychology, psychiatry, medication and more in his research into the mind’s work. I have really appreciated that he also addresses the differences in some topics when people are neurodivergent and that not all brains work the same. There were places where this felt slow and a few where I wanted to know more, but overall this was an interesting read.
September 26, 2023
I thought this was a cute book, but ultimately didn't finish it. Sorry, book.
A couple of quotes I liked:
Rabbi Nachman of Breslev said, "You are wherever your thoughts are. Make sure your thoughts are where you want to be." -p38
Our relationship with our self is the richest, most loving, most intricate, most meanginful, but also the least rational relationship we can have. -p46
A couple of quotes I liked:
Rabbi Nachman of Breslev said, "You are wherever your thoughts are. Make sure your thoughts are where you want to be." -p38
Our relationship with our self is the richest, most loving, most intricate, most meanginful, but also the least rational relationship we can have. -p46
June 19, 2025
A very interesting take on how mind wandering works - rather how the mind works when it wanders and how we can effective understand it and use it to our benefit. A very scientific / theoretical take on it - yet easy to understand.
Just to nitpick the start of the book seems totally irrelevant and probably is done as a clickbait but could be a strong put off for many. Thankfully I read past it.
Just to nitpick the start of the book seems totally irrelevant and probably is done as a clickbait but could be a strong put off for many. Thankfully I read past it.
July 10, 2023
This book definitely discusses interesting ideas and research but sometimes does so in a somewhat long-winded way (really, it almost invites mindwandering). I do appreciate nonfiction with a detailed bibliography, though!
July 11, 2023
Not my mind wandering while I was reading this book ! 😂
I tried listening to this so many times starting from the beginning, but I found it hard to concentrate when I didn’t know where he was getting at. Maybe having a hypothesis of some sort at beginning would have helped.
I tried listening to this so many times starting from the beginning, but I found it hard to concentrate when I didn’t know where he was getting at. Maybe having a hypothesis of some sort at beginning would have helped.
September 19, 2025
Some interesting facts about the brain here. I felt like the reading didn't quite flow for me and I had to reread every sentence but it could just be my "state of mind" at the time, etc. Interesting read, all the same.
April 10, 2022
I don't find mindfulness helpful and that's the focus of this book.
April 20, 2022
4.5 stars
March 23, 2023
Interesting book about the brain and how to increase your creative thinking.
Read
August 18, 2023Painting with Bob Ross is probably equivalent to this.
August 24, 2023
Pretty good and detailed on our mind and a lot of related things. Can be a heavy read and towards the end got very repetitive, but I still enjoyed the topic and learnt a lot.
February 19, 2025
I did like it… but it took me 6 months to finish and I don’t have any solid takeaways. But I seriously did like it? Idk
June 7, 2022
Streamlining the monkey mind
An excellent book on' mind management ' by an outstanding neuro scientist. The author is a ' vipassana ' meditator and draws on lessons from Buddhist meditation.
An excellent book on' mind management ' by an outstanding neuro scientist. The author is a ' vipassana ' meditator and draws on lessons from Buddhist meditation.
May 21, 2022
This book should have been an essay. While the author does warn us about ruminating, this book does precisely that towards the second half.
It does get repetitive at times, but the key takeaways are hammered into you by the end:
1. The brain will never stop making associations or mental simulations of the future - that's how your mind wanders.
2. To be highly creative you need to empty your mind (reduce cognitive load), be in a good mood, and be mindful of ruminations.
3. By labeling your thoughts you could reduce their effect.
It does get repetitive at times, but the key takeaways are hammered into you by the end:
1. The brain will never stop making associations or mental simulations of the future - that's how your mind wanders.
2. To be highly creative you need to empty your mind (reduce cognitive load), be in a good mood, and be mindful of ruminations.
3. By labeling your thoughts you could reduce their effect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2022
Meh.
Hygiene factors are met: Entertaining but appropriate writing style, nice print and typeset, proper citations and decently organized.
The glaring problem: *Mindwandering* lacks a central point, hypotheses or question. Instead, the author seems kind of convinced that due to his qualifications, everything he says is inherently interesting or relevant. It is not.
It's not the worst infotainment you will read, and as an absolute beginner's introduction to mindfulness, the workings of the brain, daydreaming and creativity, it's...ok. However, don't expect practical self-help, academical depth or rousing storytelling.
On the very last page, the author summarizes all his actual points - in about 25 lines of text. That about says it all.
Hygiene factors are met: Entertaining but appropriate writing style, nice print and typeset, proper citations and decently organized.
The glaring problem: *Mindwandering* lacks a central point, hypotheses or question. Instead, the author seems kind of convinced that due to his qualifications, everything he says is inherently interesting or relevant. It is not.
It's not the worst infotainment you will read, and as an absolute beginner's introduction to mindfulness, the workings of the brain, daydreaming and creativity, it's...ok. However, don't expect practical self-help, academical depth or rousing storytelling.
On the very last page, the author summarizes all his actual points - in about 25 lines of text. That about says it all.
January 19, 2025
stopped wandering. Even when I’m deep in thought, trying to solve a problem, or explaining something at a meeting, my mind still wanders
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📗I think it’s healthy to have a wandering mind. You are constantly in search for something, figuring out new ways, looking for something more interesting than you are already doing
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📘While I see the creative benefits of mind wandering, I also understand why it could be distracting to the most. Moshe Bar was providing many good tips (with neurological explanations) to help you navigate this situation
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📗I think it’s healthy to have a wandering mind. You are constantly in search for something, figuring out new ways, looking for something more interesting than you are already doing
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📘While I see the creative benefits of mind wandering, I also understand why it could be distracting to the most. Moshe Bar was providing many good tips (with neurological explanations) to help you navigate this situation
January 19, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I plan to implement some of the methods detailed for diverting my thoughts. I particularly like the chapters that go over associative thinking vs ruminative thinking and how to put yourself and take yourself out of both. I also found it interesting to learn about top down vs bottom up thinking and how each affects our experience of the present. This book also referred to a few other texts I look forward to checking out. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the psychology behind creativity, mood disorders and perception in general.
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