Spontaneity – A study based on Social experiment

Researched and prepared by Shruti P, Annapoorani K, Mahadeva P, Bhavana S & Roopashri
Art of Living Teachers, South Bangalore.

Mentor Mr. Vinod Kumar ji

1. INTRODUCTION
a. Random events in Life

Random events in life are events whose outcome cannot be predicted. No matter how much

we plan our events, there is always an element of uncertainty associated with it. Broadly, two

schools of thoughts exist to live this life full of uncertainties. Some people, plan each and every

aspect of life, whereas others take life as it comes. Goal setting, meticulous planning of events in

life requires effort from our side as the cognitive side of our brain is engaged. As a result of these

continued practices, a majority of people lose the ability to react to unpredictable situations.

A study at a college indicated that students who actively participated in extracurricular

activities including sports, cultural or debate did well in their professional life than the ones who

were not involved in these activities. First category of students acquired life skills due to their active

participation in events that required them to act spontaneously when they were put in unpredictable

situations. The most important virtue that they acquired as a consequence of continuous practice was

spontaneity.

b. What is spontaneity?

According to Webster’s dictionary spontaneity is defined as voluntary or undetermined

action or movement. Voluntary action demands high levels of awareness. In order to act

spontaneously, we need to stop using our cognitive brain, stop planning or being calculative.

The natural, genuine, true phenomenon of being can be termed as spontaneity. Spontaneity

happens when we are relaxed, peaceful and calm. When we are authentic and not fake spontaneity

comes easily. It is a trick of letting the mind go. This happens, when there is no resistance and

complete acceptance of the moment. If we try to consciously grab spontaneity it is gone.

Spontaneity cannot be achieved through conscious effort. Spontaneity is a happening at the moment;

it thrives on surprise and welcomes mistakes. In other words, spontaneity speaks louder than words.

This phenomenon can be understood better by a stroop test in which the color of the words needs to

be told.

In the first scenario, the word and color perfectly matches and there is no effort involved, a

spontaneous effort.

However, in the second scenario, it takes effort to say the word red. This is what happens when we

block spontaneity and use our cognitive brain.

c. How to be spontaneous - Lessons from eastern culture

In a book entitled “Trying not to try”, Edward Slingerland describes the concept of “Wu

Wei” translating to “effortless action” or “no trying, no doing”. In this book, the author talks about

four important principles for practice in order to gain the virtue of spontaneity. They are as follows:

Polishing the self, becoming an uncarved block, cultivate the moral spouts and go with the flow.

Analogies can be found in the Indian scriptures as service, contemplation, meditation, being in the

present moment etc. Unlearning is an important aspect due to which the mental block due to our

conditioning is removed. In order to get a glimpse of spontaneity, we performed a task based on

which we made some observations and conclusions.

2. OBJECTIVE
To understand, analyze and determine if the mind can be spontaneous when exposed to
unpredictable situations.

3. METHODOLOGY

1. Task: A specific task was entrusted to us wherein we were expected to gift half kg of

vegetable to strangers who were well dressed.

2. Video: We also came up with this idea of creating a dance video called Spontaneity in dance

wherein

a. Each one of us did a small unrehearsed and impromptu dance sequence of about 30

seconds to any song of our choice.

b. The sequences were compiled along with their idea of spontaneity in one word

showcased in the video as text.

c. Different music piece was overlapped on this video

a. Profile of the task performers

Shruti P is a Bio Dynamic Cranio sacral therapist by profession and is passionate about music, and

dance.

Annapoorani K has completed her graduation in physics and done her management studies. She has

lived in the USA for a few years before moving to India. She is passionate for volunteering,

organizing events and learning new skills.

Bhavana S works with HDFC Life as Sr Sales Manager and is majorly into Marketing.

Mahadev P is a mechanical engineer and works for Capgemini as Sr. Project Delivery Manager. He

loves to connect with different people and travel in group.

Roopa S is currently a homemaker, is passionate about reading books on human psychology.

b. Location of task performed

The task was performed at different locations which were urban in nature. The individuals

approached belonged to the middle class category.

4. RESULTS

a. Results of Social experiment

Each one of us met with ten strangers and gave away half kg of vegetables. We also included additional parameter of brain handedness. It is well established that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body.

Also, it performs tasks that are involved in logical reasoning, such as science and mathematics.

Right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. Right brain is called as the creative brain.

In reality, we use different proportions of both the brain. In order to achieve this objective we

categorized the individuals based on whether they predominantly used right or left brain. The

experimenters underwent a self- evaluation as to which side of the brain is used predominantly

based on their self-observation.

The final summary of observations from each of the members is given below

From the above observations, we wanted to evaluate whether people with right brain were at ease to
perform the task entrusted. The number of data sets was limited in this case, with only one
predominantly using left brain. This preliminary data indicates that spontaneity is linked to creativity
and is dependent on right brain functioning.
b. Results of Video
When we witnessed the final video, we found that in most of the time the movements were in sync
with music. The one word that that person related to as Spontaneity expressed itself through their
movement during their sequence.



5. OBSERVATIONS

After the tasks were performed we collectively came up with the following observations which

describe spontaneity.

 The task made us take risks which we otherwise don’t venture taking

 We realized that we have the ability to generate trust among strangers within a short span of time.

We could get the pulse of the strangers, according to which we were able to mould our conversation.

 Both Planning and spontaneity should go hand in hand.

 Spontaneity dawns when mind relaxes and is at ease. Such acts instill enthusiasm and a sense of

liveliness in us.

 Spontaneity begets spontaneity. Cultivating spontaneity in our day to day life helps us to be

adventurous, explore new possibilities, brings peace and hence enables us to enjoy life in a better

way.

 People in the “Spontaneity” zone, feel as if they are doing nothing, while at the same time they

might be creating a brilliant work of art, smoothly negotiating a complex social situation or even

bringing the entire world in to harmonious order. Being in this zone is deeply rewarding as it breaks

the monotony and brings freshness in our life.

Having analyzed the observations and consequences of spontaneity, we wanted to also

understand as to what are the factors that prevent us from being spontaneous.

 Limiting belief system: We think that talking to strangers is not an acceptable social behavior.

This limiting belief system prevents us from truly noticing or exploring new things.

 Fear of making mistakes: One risk of the Spontaneous approach is that those little mistakes we

were so willing to roll with, can sometimes turn out to be big and costly.

 Fear of losing control: The less prepared one is for a situation; more likely one is likely to fail.

This is the jargon commonly used by professionals which in turn discourage a person to practice

spontaneity.

6. DISCUSSION

a. Rediscovering the curiosity

As a child, everything was new, joyful and wondrous. The secret here is to get back to that

innocence or rather looking at the world through the eyes of a child.

b. Spontaneity in television shows

For an individual who lives a life of routine, who is a part of the so called rat race, it is hard

to consciously kick start spontaneity. This is probably why we are in awe of shows like “The Kapil

Sharma show”, “Impractical jokers” and “Impromptu live games” This is very attractive and

welcoming because the protagonist uses his virtue of spontaneity to skillfully tackle any

unpredictable situation with an effective response. Spontaneity gives us a sense of freedom and

unleashes the creativity in us. We understood that not everything can be spontaneous, while 30% of

it could be planned, 70% could be left to be spontaneous.

c. Effect of spontaneity on Brain

Becoming a more spontaneous individual is not only good for our social life and emotional

health; it’s beneficial for our brains too. Our brains are, in reality, extremely malleable, dynamic,

“plastic” organs. They can be shaped — and enriched — by new experiences, and if we neglect to

keep them supplied with novel experiences, it can actually harm it. Every time we have a new

experience, our brains grow new neurons and form new pathways of communication, helping to

combat age-related neural loss. According to Arnold Scheibel, MD, former director of the brain

research institute at UCLA, the brain is hardwired to become alert to anything new and exotic. The

reason lies with our distant ancestors: It’s an evolutionary survival mechanism that developed when

we had to look out for predators. This novelty response, as psychiatrists call it, can help to prevent

Alzheimer’s and dementia; Having a new thought or experience stimulates dendritic growth in nerve

cells, expanding brain volume. Naturally, this combats the very brain shrinkage that is a hallmark of

these degenerative conditions.

d. Meditation and breathing techniques helps one become spontaneous

During meditation alpha and theta waves are generated in the brain, reflective of relaxation

state. This in turn helps one to be in a spontaneous state of mind. Research has shown that

meditation increases the grey matter in the brain, and decreases the activity in the DMN (Default

mode of network). DMN is the brain network responsible for wandering of the mind. Meditation

increases the cortical thickness in the hippocampus, which governs learning and memory. It also

decreases brain cell volume in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear, anxiety, and

stress.

Sudarshan Kriya EEG (Electroencephalogram) research shows that the EEG alpha activity exists,

with interspersed persistence of beta activity. This indicates a state of relaxation co-existing with

heightened alertness.

e. Stop waiting for the “perfect” time

No matter what it is that one really wants to do, the time to get started is now. There is no

wrong moment to have a novel experience, no wrong moment to start to really live. It’s never too

late to get out making the unfamiliar, familiar. The brain, body, and soul will thank us if we focus

our efforts towards being spontaneous.

7. CONCLUSION

Most people are ignorant of the virtue of the spontaneity and its benefits on our growth.

Through this social experiment, we understood the importance of spontaneity. It uplifts and adds

zeal to our being. Most importantly, it makes us evolve as a human being. If we could skillfully

incorporate this virtue in our day to day lives, it would be immensely beneficial. In order to do this,

one needs to be aware of the situations where the decision needs to be taken. To be or not to be

spontaneous - the choice is ours but the possibilities are endless depending on what we choose.