I am curious to see where this series of articles will lead…Never heard of pneuma before but it certainly resonates with core concepts found in ancient Buddhist and Oriental philosophies. Whether called Qi, Prana, or simply cultivating an "attuned" state, these traditions similarly recognise that true insight and creative power stem from living in a state of receptive presence and allowing. Creativity becomes less about the ego forcing, and more about the spirit flowing—a form of listening. More recent works such as Barbara Oakley’s “Learning how to learn” highlight that breakthrough ideas often emerge during states of restful awareness, not concentrated effort.

This is the distinction between:

1. Focused Learning (or concentrated effort): Trying to push, force, or control the outcome - The is the state where the mind is under pressure, which hinders creativity

2. Diffused Learning (or allowing, relaxing): When we stop focusing on a specific task, the Default Mode Network (DMN) activates, allowing the brain to wander, form unexpected associations, and connect ideas across distant domains. This is what innovation is all about: making connections!