I've noticed that I can do both the monologue thing and also the nonverbal thinking, and I suspect that most people can do both also.
I do verbal thinking when I'm by myself and thinking through options. What should I have for dinner? What gift should I buy? That kind of thing.
Non-verbal thought is when I'm totally focused on something like a competitive game. When I'm 100% in the zen-like focus of moment to moment instinctive action, there's "no time" for monologuing.
What you called non-verbal thinking is called "flow" and is more like a state of mind, rather than a way of thinking. Named by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi.
No, there is also non-verbal thinking. Just like I can communicate via gestures and facial expressions, I often think things through without putting anything into explicit words.
Yeah, I think people can move between both states. Meditation in particular, if practiced deeply/for long enough, can lead to the non-narrative state. Ever since I did a ten day vipassana meditation course 18 months ago I've been able to spend long periods without verbal thoughts though I still feel sensation throughout my body.
I do verbal thinking when I'm by myself and thinking through options. What should I have for dinner? What gift should I buy? That kind of thing.
Non-verbal thought is when I'm totally focused on something like a competitive game. When I'm 100% in the zen-like focus of moment to moment instinctive action, there's "no time" for monologuing.