I don't claim any particular expertise (in anything), but I think from the Buddhist perspective, a meditator would never be doing nothing, or acting aimlessly.
They distinguish between the development of concentration (samatha) and wisdom (vipassanā, inspiring the current "mindfulness" movement in the West), and the objective is to cultivate wisdom, and not merely tranquility.
The mind is always directed and purposeful, and the (historical) Buddha applied razor-sharp logic toward experiential existence, in a very practical way.
Strictly speaking, my mind is not aimless when I walk so much at night. It is the walking itself that is aimless. That is, I don't go anywhere in particular. Often I go to unfamiliar places, without any intent to arrive at an actual destination.
When I walk I generally let my mind wander, but while doing so often come up with really good ideas.
Not long ago I was questioned by a couple Portland Police Bureau officers. I expect they thought I'd just scored some drugs, in the end I was able to satisfy them that I just liked to walk around at night.
"You know, you shouldn't be walking around Crack Central at three in the morning with that computer. Someone is going to stick a knife in you and take it."
"Thank you officer, but no one ever messes with me because I look just like a Hell's Angel."
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Yes, I am dead certain one can change one's mind through meditation.
I don't know about neuroscience's take on it, but my experience is that mental health professionals all encourage me to meditate.
If you practice Buddhist meditation, be advised that it can be excruciatingly boring.
It's meant to be.
How often do you just sit and do nothing? Not reading hacker news, soylent news, tweaking your code?
I don't practice sitting meditation a whole lot, but quite frequently I walk aimlessly, most commonly late at night.
I don't claim any particular expertise (in anything), but I think from the Buddhist perspective, a meditator would never be doing nothing, or acting aimlessly.
They distinguish between the development of concentration (samatha) and wisdom (vipassanā, inspiring the current "mindfulness" movement in the West), and the objective is to cultivate wisdom, and not merely tranquility.
The mind is always directed and purposeful, and the (historical) Buddha applied razor-sharp logic toward experiential existence, in a very practical way.
Strictly speaking, my mind is not aimless when I walk so much at night. It is the walking itself that is aimless. That is, I don't go anywhere in particular. Often I go to unfamiliar places, without any intent to arrive at an actual destination.
When I walk I generally let my mind wander, but while doing so often come up with really good ideas.
Not long ago I was questioned by a couple Portland Police Bureau officers. I expect they thought I'd just scored some drugs, in the end I was able to satisfy them that I just liked to walk around at night.
"You know, you shouldn't be walking around Crack Central at three in the morning with that computer. Someone is going to stick a knife in you and take it."
"Thank you officer, but no one ever messes with me because I look just like a Hell's Angel."