Observations placeholder
Gauss - Solved by a flash of illumination
Identifier
014490
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
An Essay on the Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field – Jacques Hadamard
Gauss, referring to an arithmetical theorem which he had unsuccessfully tried to prove for years, writes:
“Finally, two days ago, I succeeded, not on account of my painful efforts, but by the grace of God. Like a sudden flash of lightning, the riddle happened to be solved. I myself cannot say what was the conducting thread which connected what I previously knew with what made success possible.”
It is unnecessary to observe that what happened to me on my awakening is perfectly similar and typical, as the solution which appeared to me
- Was without any relation to my attempts of former days, so that it could not have been elaborated by my previous conscious work
- Appeared without any time for thought, however brief
The source of the experience
GaussConcepts, symbols and science items
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
Difficult birthSuppressions
Being left handedBelieving in the spiritual world
LOVE
Reducing desires
Squash the big I am