It is well known,

for example,

that Newton solved many of his toughest problems

when his attention was waylaid by private musings.

Thomas Alva Edison also knew the value of "half waking" states.

Whenever confronted with a task

which seemed too hard to be dealt with,

he would stretch out on his laboratory sofa

and let fantasies flood his mind.

Painters, writers, and composers

also have drawn heavily on their sensitivity to inner fantasies.

Debussy used to gaze at the River Seine

and the golden reflections of the setting sun

to establish an atmosphere for creativity.

Brahms found

that ideas came effortlessly

only when he approached a state of deep daydreaming.

And Cesar Frank is said to have walked around

with a dreamlike gaze while composing,

seemingly totally unaware of his surroundings.