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If I understand correctly, they say that meditation deactivates default mode and this has a positive impact on pain tolerance. Interestingly, there is lots of discussion on the importance and value of default mode for creativity and other things. Are these at odds or have I misunderstood?

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I had never heard of "default mode" before this. Do you have any suggested reading on the topic, especially around creativity?

Maybe only tangentially related, but Michael Pollan's recent book about psychedelics "How To Change Your Mind" goes in-depth on this. There's something about being able to quiet the "default mode network" that lends the mind to transcendental/creative thought. The same effect can be achieved through meditation or breathwork.

Also moral tribes, by Joshua Greene. These 2 were the best books I read this year.

This provides a good context https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/09/trip-treatment

I think it's more to do with removing the emotional rumination aspect of the default mode network, which is associated with anxiety, depression and pain.

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