nonverbal understanding that isn't visual

Post Reply New Topic

Does anyone else here apprehend complex phenomena in a non-verbal way that doesn't involve images? I find myself doing this as a default. I have to have a reason to verbalize my thoughts, but I don't think in pictures. I can understand something in a very definite way and have to turn it over and mull over it for years to find the words for what I perceive. It's as if using symbols is still an effort for me, and what I understand of the world normally is an emotional response that is so concrete it involves no representations, just complex sensations. I find that when verbalized these thoughts are no less sophisticated than thoughts I am led to by words. I just rarely bother to find the words.

Yeah, in some of the threads about how people think there have been groups of people talking about how they don't think in pictures or words. Personally I best describe it as I think in concepts, and have to translate to words in order to communicate.

I understand what you mean. I often think in symbols and images (not textual, or verbal language), but many times I just seem to put things together and function on a level that is totally non-symbolic. I find it difficult to explain what this is, but I think that it is what you are describing, however I am not so sure that I would call it an emotional response. It just seems to be an awareness, if you will, a sensing of that which is within the universe. It is so difficult for me to put into words what this is and how it works. I simply seem to sense things and be aware of things and to acquire knowledge and this leads to insights and understanding on a very non-verbal and non-pictorial level. Often it is very difficult to translate all of this into language. Interesting and puzzling at the same time. I've done this for my whole life. One theory is that we might be unconsciously tapping into the global mind, or perhaps even occasionally into the Akashic records.

Language is restricted and it reduses the meaning of what I have to say. As soon as I speak Im not satisfied with the words, because they mislead my listeners. In conversation with a girl which I assume is on the spectrum I get closest to feel that my thoughts are understood. How we sometimes communicate is not possible to reproduce here, but language has not a superior position and the sentences are not necessarily fluently assembled, often with the result that we have to laugh because we understand something which is impossible to describe with words even though its just about one silly moment etc.

I can relate to it. We are thinking in concepts, or maybe patterns too. I wonder if people like us do really tend to like music.

I think I have a language module that is more detached from my thinking than in "average" people. I have difficulties expressing myself even in my native language. I stutter, stammer, trip over my words too often.

I spend a lot of time thinking in words - but this is when replaying conversations and interactions and "rehearsing" for future interactions.

When it comes to my experience and my understanding of things ... I can't really explain how I think about those things. Those thoughts are not words, they're not visuals, they're not sounds, they're not symbols ... they just are. And I have a lot of trouble finding words to express them.

This is me too. I'm thinking in words just now, because I'm typing. I also spend a lot of time rehearsing/ replaying/ rewriting interactions with others, so it appears like I think in words, but I don't think that's the essence of me. If I think of an idea, the words only come into my mind when I'm thinking about how I'm going to express the thoughts to another person. If I'm trying to explain something on here, I sometimes wish there was some way of inserting a spreadsheet or table, without going to a lot of hassle, as that would help.

Same thing for me too. I spend time thinking in words, and I spend time thinking visually, but some things I think about sort of conceptually. I had been wondering if other people are like that.

I think in both pictures and words. the closest I can get to what you are talking about is when I am asked how I feel and am planning on giving a real answer instead of the canned 'I am fine' answer.

I dont usually think in words. Rather hardly ever. Not even if I want to say something. Only if I write, but also not always. Since my choice of words is irrelevant for what I really want to say I can be confusing for people.
Still I can speak many languages and in every language I know words which are more suitable for different situations, and which cant be expressed in other languages etc. Mostly I communicate normally (decently), but my friends know I mean things differently...

I just have to add: I understand my communication partners, so I know how to make them take logical conclusions themselves, without me having to talk a lot.

funny to think of this.. I guess I do not think in words much.. more like trajectories?
poins in 3D world, what goes where, how fast, gets stronger or gets weaker kinda things

when going out and meet pepole I think in words to speak, not so easy tho

That is why I sometimes wish for a telepathic society. Words are too convoluted and easy to misinterpret. With instantly transmitted concepts, there is no margin for error in how to understand them.