The Genius Groove: The New Science of Creativity – Dr Manjir Samanta-Laughton

Post-event update

It was amazing having the author at the book club to ~~grill~~ answer our questions. Not only did she break the science down for us into something easy to understand, but she answered questions on how we could apply the concepts to our own lives. Also, it meant that I could sit back and Manjir do the majority of the talking.

You haven’t missed out if you couldn’t attend, because she has a YouTube video here https://youtu.be/Ji572foYHAk and more information on her website, including courses to help you tap into your genius http://www.paradigmrevolution.com/geniusgroove/.

We had a great turnout – no doubt people want to get their copies signed and meet Manjir for themselves. We were so absorbed that I forgot to take pictures! Doh! Am still getting used to this doing social media thing.

5 concepts we learned:

1.
Fact or Fiction – genius’ is a fixed point; you either have it or you do not, and it’s something to do with how our brain is wired and our genes. So Einstein was a genius because his brain grew a certain way.

This is in FICTION. These is a lot of evidence to dispute the premises on which we have based our traditional view of genius. For example:

– the IQ test was created for a completely different purpose, which we now use to determine genius

– you can see the brain rewiring itself every day if you care to scan it – for example, when black cab drivers qualify, their frontal lobe is usually considerably bigger than when they started from all the stuff they’ve learned, and stroke and head injury patients can often make a full recovery by reteaching themselves what they’ve lost. In ‘Mindfulness for the Frazzled’ Ruby Wax had her brain scanned before and after adding regular meditation to her schedule, and this showed big changes in her brain.

In short, there is a lot of proof out there that the brain isn’t a fixed commodity which determines our genius.

2.
Fact or Fiction – information is available all around us, and the extent to which we show genius depends on how we tap into that information.

This is FACT. Or rather, it is a scientific theory where ever-increasing evidence has been found to confirm this theory, which is increasing the probability that it is correct. (This is basically what all science is, but it’s a lot longer to say than ‘fact’).

You’ll have to read the book (or Manjir’s previous book called Punk Science) to get a full picture of the evidence behind this, or tap into the realms of what scientists in the realms of quantum physics have discovered. I’m going to focus on the self-development points here.

3.
To tap into our genius (or this information all around us) we need to feel clear – which means decluttering the emotional baggage in our subconscious is key

In other words ‘you get your best ideas in the shower’ – when you’ve just got up, are feeling relaxed, and are not really thinking, answers just ‘pop into your head’. I’ve got to say that whether it was the fact we were all interested in self-development or because Manjir explained it all so well, there was no resistance from us here. I could certainly see that in my own journey towards becoming a therapist, and therefore necessarily clearing and learning how to continue to clear the clutter in my subconscious (hypnosis is one way; there are many others) I am feeling more and more able to tap into my intuition and my feelings of inner peace.

4.
Our relationship with the information all around us, and therefore our genius, is unique.

So, one person’s genius might be writing poetry, another’s might be growing beautiful flowers, and yet another’s might be modelling complex financial problems to determine all the risks. Part of the problem with our lives right now is that we’re all trying to be good at things which aren’t really what we want to be doing…if we look deep down.

5.
There is a part of us which is trying really hard to get us into our genius groove.

The author calls this our ‘higher self’ – who throws all sorts of signs and situations our way to help us get into our genius groove. This means that your joys and tribulations are ALL self-created, and if you can see what you’re learning through them you can then release the situation (also letting go of the emotional baggage – see 3 above) and move forward, ever closer to your genius groove.

It’s always difficult to summarise a whole book into 5 points, so I hope I’ve done it justice. Do read the book for more information!

Our verdict:

We loved the book. Some of us loved the science behind it, others the self-development take-aways, liking that they had a scientific back-up. We talked a lot about how to tap into that genius. As well as looking after the emotional clutter, we concluded that anything that feels like you’re in ‘Flow’ helps (a concept I first came across in Mihaly Csiksgentmihalyi’s book – he talks about it here – https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow). In a nutshell – in flow you’re enjoying yourself so much you could just keep going, not noticing time pass by.
Meditation also helps, as by it’s very nature it helps you clear your mind (with practice of course!)

So, get into your Genius Groove and have fun!

Finally, I just wanted to thank Dr Manjir for coming along to our book club and so patiently answering our questions.

We’ll always welcome authors who want to share their book so let us know if you want to join us!

Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below.

Come and discuss this book on 15th May 2018, 7-9pm, Fountain Harvester, Milton Keynes.
Comment below or email me to let me know you’re going to join. Event is free and new members are always welcome.

Our book club is an informal discussion over food and drinks (both optional) where we discuss what we thought and how reading the book has helped us. New members are always welcome.

Details

***A rare opportunity to have the author of a book we’re reading together with us***

I love meeting authors who have taken the time to research and write books on topics they’re passionate about, and so I was really excited to meet an author of personal development books at our last book club.

Dr Manjir Samanta-Laughton brings science and spirituality together to help us understand how to use these principles in our personal development, and we will be lucky to have her at the book club to hear our thoughts on the book and answer any questions.
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The Genius Groove charts the revolution from outdated ideas that only people with high IQs and good genes can be called a genius, to the exciting new worlds of quantum physics, the New Biology and the Black Hole Principle, revealing the scientific basis of the genius within us all and how to tap into your infinite creative source.

The author, Dr Manjir Samanta-Laughton, an ex-medical GP, found her Genius Groove after a series of extraordinary events. Follow her amazing story and learn some fascinating principles along the way.

*Why is it that many people are not in their creative flow?
*What is the new scientific definition of genius and how do you get into your Genius Groove?
*How to become your authentic self and experience New Paradigm Living. *Explore your true multidimensional nature in an infinitely creative cosmos. *How these principles can transform organizations and the way in which we work.

YOUR LIFE JUST GOT GROOVY!

Come and share your thoughts on how it fits (or doesn’t) with your experiences. If the book inspires you, let us know how that has changed things in your life.