Meditating has helped my focus, mood, and creativity. When it comes to improv specifically, I think of a scene like a meditation session, with my partner (or perhaps the present moment in general) being what I focus on (as opposed to focusing on my breathing as I would during a regular meditation session). Any time I get in my head, I just bring my focus back to my partner and engage with as clear a mind as possible.
Best. Improv. Group. Ever.
I remember when I first became conscious of what being “in the zone” felt like. My mind was clear, my focus was on the present moment, and my responses floated into my head. I didn’t need to think in order to know what to do. Continue reading after the jump…
I didn’t make the connection to meditation, though, until recently, but since then, both my life and improv have gotten better.
Just like Improv, you don't need any gear to meditate.
With a clear head, it feels more like I’m getting out of the way so comedy can happen– as though I’m allowing the universe’s sense of humor to use me as a mouthpiece. I don’t want to make it out like I’ve discovered a panacea since there are plenty of times when comedy remains a struggle or scenes end up stinky. It’s just that this technique makes me more aware of and open to comedic discoveries. It makes me feel like my eight-year-old self again, thinking for the first time, “If I pay attention to the world, I can make jokes of my own.”
There are several ways to begin exploring meditation. Here is one of them.
The New Recess.
– Ben Kharakh
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