When brain scientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor had a stroke, and lost the functioning of the left hemisphere of her brain, she also gained something that she never had before. Her right hemisphere was now dominant. She felt a deep inner peace, a bliss. Wouldn't that be nice? One of the main points of Jill's book My Stroke of Insight, is that, yes, stroke survivors have suffered loss, but they have also gained new abilities.
In Jill's case, she learned that she liked being right brain dominant. Even though she worked hard after surgery and regained the functioning of her left hemisphere, she wanted to retain the ability to "go to the right," for that inner peace.
I would love to have that ability to find such inner peace. Especially at night: just turn off the left mind's constant analysis, judgments, and worries, and rest in peace. Anybody got any suggestions? Please don't tell me to use the latest and best drug of the day!
As Christians, we should have a leg up on that process. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2Cor. 5:17)
1 comment:
No guarantee that my forms of relaxation move thought processes to the right brain, but the effect is right. Consciously slow down physically and move into a calmer space as bedtime approaches. Ceasing to read political blogs a good bit before bed time helps. Make the last thing you read as you head to bed something like the daily lectionary. Count blessings. Good warm bath works too! I know I've got it wrong when I make like a pup circling the bed. Some nights I'm all over the house finding one more thing needing doing.
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