Right now I am fascinated with the brain. It all started with watching a TED Talks clip by Jill Bolte Taylor and her experience as a brain scientist who suffered a stroke. She shared the process her brain went through with the left side shutting down and the right side becoming the more dominate side. This was so interesting to me – the left and right brain as two brains, with two different jobs.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I knew all that. I’ve taken dozens of classes and read books where the different sides of the brain are referenced – basically, the left brain is linear and the right brain abstract. Got it. But what her story did for me was to see that many of my experiences really can be chocked up to biology and not just “woo woo” ! With saying that, I need to state that I believe everything is a spiritual experience, so just because I look more at the biology of the brain, it does not negate that I believe the brain is a tool of the Spirit.
Anyway, I had a lovely experience of the two brains working that I wanted to share. Next to my bed I have a beautiful painting of a heart created by a local artist, Brenda Boles (www.brendaboles.com). I see this every night before going to bed and every morning upon waking up. The other morning as I was waking, I looked at it and saw a portrait of a couple when I looked at the heart. I was enjoying the picture but as soon as I tried to figure out who they were, my left brain jumped in and took control.
“This is not correct. It’s not a picture of a couple. It’s a heart”. Then I began to see the heart. But I really liked how I felt when I saw the couple so I ignored the commands coming in for a minute, and the couple’s face came back in. Then “No, no, no. This is a heart and that’s what you are seeing. Quit letting your imagination run away with you”!
The heart then stayed solidly in my vision and the picture of the couple only became a vanishing memory (much like what happens with dreams).
This made me think about how many times I see things and then chalk it off to imagination. Why do we always assume (at least I do) that the left brain has all the answers and is always right? Does that mean one side of the brain is superior to the other just because its role in running our bodies is different?
Just things to think about. If this topic interests you, I highly recommend watching the TED Talk video (it’s on YouTube) and also getting the book, My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.
Try day dreaming a bit – it’s a good way to quiet the inner boss for awhile!
Thanks for sharing your insights and providing us with more to explore. I am so glad you’re writing on your blog again! You’re an inspiration. I love how Lynda described you tonight ;the let’s do it, can do person. That’s you!
What an excellent example of how well our brain systems have been trained to let the left side dominate; but how exciting the possibilities of allowing more of the right brain experience! That’s why I love mandala – it develops the right brain muscle! 🙂
The mandala truly expands the view for each of us. One of the recent mandalas created through my hands has been guiding my left brain so that it, too, can see the big picture. I love that we are all involved together in expanding a broader viewpoint. Thanks, Bren and Deb, for your expertise in walking your talk as you teach others. 🙂
Beautifully depicted through your view.