A weekly newsletter with science-based insights on creativity, mindful productivity, better thinking and lifelong learning.
Ness Labs: Time and Curiosity đź•’
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Edition #232 – June 20th, 2024 Hello friends, I’m preparing to go back and work with Ayahuasca for the next three days. This has become an annual ritual that allows me to manage my mental health and deeply reconnect with myself. As part of the preparation process, I have been rereading past entries from my journals. It’s fascinating to see how much I have changed, and also how much I’m still the same. Some of my old worries are gone; some of my seemingly eternal insecurities are still here. Reading those entries made me want to write about the practice of intentionally directing your curiosity towards the past, the present, or the future, which we’ll call temporal curiosity. I have included some reflection prompts at the bottom – please hit reply to let me know which one resonates the most! I also might not send the newsletter next week as I’ll be a bit floaty the first few days after coming back, and I’m presenting my research at a neuroscience conference on Thursday. So I might only talk to you again in two weeks. In the meantime, enjoy the read :) Anne-Laure.
Temporal CuriosityThe idea of time travel has captivated human imagination for centuries. In H.G. Wells’ classic 1895 novel The Time Machine, the protagonist invents a device that allows him to travel through time, exploring the distant future. While we may still be far from physically traversing time, there is a way to embark on a temporal journey using nothing more than your mind and curiosity. This phenomenon, known as “chronesthesia” in psychology, refers to our ability to mentally project ourselves into the past or future. By pairing this practice with your curiosity, you can gain profound insights into the past, fully immerse yourself in the present, and imagine more possibilities for the future. The Temporal Nature of CuriosityAs humans, we have a remarkable ability to direct our curiosity through time. Unlike other animals that primarily live in the present (although that’s a subject of scientific debate), we can consciously choose to explore the past, engage with the present, or imagine the future. What I call temporal curiosity is the practice of actively directing our curiosity across time – past, present, future – to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us. Past curiosity. Directing our curiosity towards the past can help us understand our origins and learn from history. By exploring past experiences from your own life (including your early childhood) and those of previous generations (including the lives of your parents and ancestors), you can gain insights as to why you are the person you are. Present curiosity. When we focus our curiosity on the present, we start to appreciate the little things more. This means deeper conversations with friends and family – really listening to their thoughts and experiences. This means noticing details in your surroundings that you might usually overlook. In short, curiosity about the present moment can help you live life more fully. Future curiosity. Finally, when we let our curiosity lead us into the future, we start to imagine all sorts of possibilities. We might wonder what inventions could make our lives easier, or we could think creatively about potential challenges. Asking “what if” and dreaming up ideas encourages us to be proactive in creating the kind of world we want to live in. Directing your curiosity towards the past, present, and future can have profound effects on your personal growth and well-being. Studies have found that mentally time-traveling to the past – particularly when you reminisce about positive past experiences – can boost your mood and increase your sense of self-continuity. This contributes to a more coherent narrative identity and better self-understanding. You know yourself better and you feel better. In the present, being curious about others’ life stories and experiences can foster empathy and lead to more constructive conversations. Curiosity-driven exploration of the present moment has also been linked to better well-being. Lastly, being curious about the future can boost your creativity and help you come up with new ideas. Engaging in future-oriented time travel has been found to enhance creative thinking by allowing you to mentally explore and evaluate different possibilities. When you tap into your curiosity about the past, present, and future, you can better understand yourself, build stronger relationships, improve your well-being, and be more creative. How to Time-Travel with CuriosityCuriosity is a powerful tool that you can use proactively. By setting aside time to intentionally focus your curiosity on different time periods (past, present, future) and aspects of your life (world, others, self), you can grow both personally and professionally. The following nine questions are designed to help guide and structure your practice of temporal curiosity. You can use them as prompts in your journal, as discussion starters with a coach, or as a fun activity with a friend or partner. Past Curiosity: • World – What historical event can you learn from? Present Curiosity: • World – What current global issue do you want to understand better Future Curiosity: • World – What future possibilities capture your imagination? Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that drives us to explore, learn, and grow. However, in the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to let it fade into the background. That’s why it’s crucial to consciously make space for curiosity – whether you choose to direct it towards the past, the present, or the future. ⚡ Brain Picks◦ Meco is a newsletter aggregator built for reading. Time to liberate your inbox. Move your newsletters to a space built for reading and declutter your inbox in seconds. ◦ Circle helps you bring together engaging discussions, members, live streams, chat, events, and memberships. Build a home for your community, events, and courses – all under your own brand. ◦ Podscan.fm provides instant alerts for every podcast mention. Get notified immediately when a podcast mentions your brand and stay on top of your brand mentions. 🤝 Brain TrustIf you enjoy the newsletter, you'll love our community of curious minds who grow together through interactive workshops and safe discussion spaces. Here is what we have planned in the next week: All of these and future events are included in the price of the annual membership ($49), as well as access to the recordings of all our previous sessions and past cohort-based courses. 🌊 Brain WavesHave a friend who wants to make the most of their mind? Send them the newsletter using your unique referral link below and unlock Reflective Minds, a database of good questions from great thinkers and creators. Until the next edition, take care! P.S. Have you ever noticed this paradox? |
​Ness Labs by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
A weekly newsletter with science-based insights on creativity, mindful productivity, better thinking and lifelong learning.
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