This blog post examines why having the space for contemplation is crucial in modern society and explores how it positively impacts our creativity, critical thinking, and quality of life.
An Era Afraid of Pause
In this situation where possessing information unknown to others has become a competitive advantage, doing nothing and staying still is dismissed as laziness. To avoid falling behind in a world with standardized expectations—where one must attend a good university, join a good company, save a reasonable amount of money, marry at the right time, and buy a house when the time comes—we endlessly chase an endless stream of information. In modern society, information is power and a weapon. The acquisition and utilization of information have become crucial factors determining an individual’s success. As information has taken such a vital place, we feel the pressure to accumulate new knowledge and data every moment.
While learning countless pieces of information is important, everyone knows that rest is necessary during this process. Yet, in a situation where doing nothing is deemed laziness, stopping to think and rest is not easy. This is because our society perceives that in an endless competitive environment, doing nothing means falling behind. Moreover, the rapid pace of change in modern society has robbed individuals of sufficient time to ponder and reflect. People no longer fear stopping, but they lack sufficient consideration for what they might lose by not stopping.
The Rise of the Contemplation Competition
Long ago, on October 27, 2014, a contemplation competition was held in Seoul, Korea, at the grassy plaza in front of City Hall. It was a contest where the participant who sat still for the longest time, without touching their smartphone, eating, or speaking, won. It’s a contest to sit still and stop thinking. What sets this competition apart from others is that, unlike contests requiring intense mental and physical exertion, it pits participants against each other to see who can use their mind and body the least. This unique event drew significant attention, with requests to host it pouring in not just from Seoul but nationwide. Its popularity even spread to China. Last November, China’s first meditation competition was held in Chengdu, followed by another in Shanghai in December. The significance of these competitions extends beyond simply encouraging meditation. Meditation is beginning to be recognized as a forgotten value for modern people, a virtue that deserves renewed attention. The realization that time spent doing nothing is actually a necessary element in our lives is spreading.
The Benefits of Contemplation
Scientific research actually shows that contemplation is not merely a waste of time but has positive effects on the human brain. In 2001, Marcus Raichle, a neuroscientist at Washington University in St. Louis, discovered the intriguing fact that there are areas of the brain that activate when we are doing nothing. This activated area is called the Resting-State Network (RSN) or Default Mode Network (DMN). It’s as if the brain has a manual that allows it to return to its default settings, much like a computer resetting itself. Although we may not be aware of it, when the brain is idle, other activities occur through the DMN neural network. In other words, while the brain inputs information through learning, the function of organizing that input occurs when the DMN neural network activates. Furthermore, a research team at Tohoku University in Japan has published findings showing that when the DMN activates, creativity emerges and specific performance abilities improve. Thus, contemplation is not mere rest; it is a crucial process that helps our brain function efficiently. During this process, we can think more deeply and gain more creative ideas.
In that moment of doing nothing, the world changes
Our lives are filled with tasks that need solving, and we must push ourselves ever harder to avoid becoming losers. So our brain engines are constantly running, yet they grow weary, making it difficult to generate new thoughts. However, there are historical figures who, in contrast, paused their brain engines and gained creative insights through contemplation. Picasso created masterpieces from sudden flashes of imagination during moments of stillness. Had Newton not pondered beneath that apple tree on that warm afternoon, the law of universal gravitation might never have been discovered. Albert Einstein, too, often conceived ideas while walking. It is said he solved complex mathematical problems and gained theoretical insights through these walking meditation sessions. Thus, the power of contemplation gifts us with new perspectives and ideas.
Contemplation was the backdrop for the birth of historical works and ideas. Contemplation holds greater significance than merely pausing thought to let the brain rest. As explained earlier, engaging in contemplation activates a specific neural network in the brain called the DMN, which not only organizes information but also aids in the development of human creativity. One might argue that every minute and second is precious, leaving no time for contemplation. Yet, it was precisely in those moments of doing nothing that the course of world history changed multiple times. Moreover, contemplation extends beyond personal reflection and enhancing creativity. It can help us reconsider the direction our society should take and ultimately contribute to creating new social paradigms.
The Essence of Contemplation
Amidst the relentless pace of a world that demands constant running, slow cities, slow food, and slow life have become major topics. In this era of rapidly advancing digital revolution, there is also talk of an analog revolution—somewhat inconvenient, perhaps, but one that emphasizes humanity more. The intent is to briefly hit the brakes on the fast-moving pace of society and reconsider the essence of life. Similarly, the rise of contemplation amidst harsh and intense lives likely stems from a desire to reflect on a reality where we chase the world’s pace and information without our own thoughts and introspection. We often get swept up in modern speed and efficiency, missing what truly matters. Yet, contemplation allows us to look inward and realize what is genuinely important.
Truthfully, contemplation itself doesn’t change the world. Yet, its emergence challenges our relentless, non-stop running. Stepping back from the race to keep pace with the world’s speed, taking a moment to rest quietly—that is what changes the world. Time for contemplation offers us the chance to reflect on ourselves and seek a better direction for life. Contemplation is not mere rest; it is a vital act that enriches life and adds depth.
