rightmind2

Clearly, both hemispheral functions are essential to the organisation and have their own particular relevance. While logical functions such as machine operations and accounts calculations are a function of the left brain, creation of concepts, products and solutions are the domain of the right. There is an obvious contrast in the 'magnitude' of these functions, in that the left brain seems to work on what is available while the right draws on that inexhaustable resource, the imagination. Little wonder that the left and right brain have been compared as a pocket calculator to a powerful computer. An extremely important characteristic of the right brain is that, apart from having its own specific roles, it actually enhances all the functions of the left brain, making overall mental activity faster, more balanced and more efficient.

The question is how much are we making constructive use of this important aspect of the mind? Unfortunately not as much as our quest for excellence merit. It is for this reason that in my training and consultancy work on the micro level of personal effectiveness I place a lot of emphasis on 'activating' right brain function. For it is a fact that most people in our developed Western society - up to 80% - are brought up with a fairly strong left brain, but a poorly developed right. This has come about through various socio-cultural factors, including education systems which rely heavily on teaching methods that stimulate and develop predominantly the left logical function. Moreover, we often exercise a biased paradigm in life that tends to over-emphasise academic (left brain) skills development to the detriment of creative ones. Many people struggle to be truly creative and imaginative, and have little confidence in exploiting such abilities. Similarly, most still have difficulty in discerning their feelings of true intuition enough to be able to trust or act upon them. The result is that most people - and hence most organisations - are functioning at only a fraction of their true potential!

Creativity, imagination and intuition are vital requisites for any organisation if is to move ahead and not simply 'turn the wheel' to survive. All the more so today when, at the eve of the new millenium, we are witnessing dramatic shifts in established models of consumer behaviour and market trends. As Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge". If we rely only on existent knowledge and data, things remain static. It is only when the imagination is set into motion that new ideas, solutions and goals can be effectively conceived and projected.

As people like Nikola Tesla and Mozart proved only too well, we simply need to learn to tune in to 'the ocean of all possibilities'. Cutting edge quantum physics has given us the holographic model of the brain which illustrates our brain as a truly magnificent machine that is as vast as the universe itself. This model also goes some way in explaining the outstanding mental abilities that can be achieved with mind dynamics.

MIND STATES

By connecting a subject to an Electroencephalograph (EEG), his/her brain waves can be measured in cycles per second (c.p.s.). This is not so much a quantitative measure of mental activity as it is of a state of mind. There are essentially four states - beta, alpha, theta and delta. Although these have only been scientifically studied with the advent of modern equipment, I was intrigued to unearth mention of these four states in ancient eastern texts. It seems that some ancient societies have long known how to exploit the mind's unlimited potential. But whereas in the past such knowledge was limited to a privileged few, today it has been made more accessible, and streamlined with modern scientific knowledge.

At an average of around 20 c.p.s., the beta state is the normal, everyday waking state. In this state we are predominantly engaged in left brain activity. Lowering the brain wave frequency to around 15 c.p.s. brings us into the alpha state, and it is here that right brain activity is engaged. Lower still are theta and delta, but these do not concern us as they are really only accessed during sleep. Lowering frequency simply means cutting out unnecessary stress and brain 'chit-chat'. Besides engaging creative abilities, this makes the individual more alert,allows clearer thinking and enables mental faculties which the beta level does not. Although we talk of lowering frequency, the effect is more of an altered state. We are particularly interested in the alpha state, as this is where right brain activity can be actively engaged. This state brings into play our imaginative and creative faculties, as well as our intuitive mind. It is the state at which ideas will flow more readily. In everyday life, we go through alpha at least twice a day - in the evening as we drift off to sleep, and in the morning when we wake up. This explains why many top inventions were conceived early in the morning, or during a state of relaxation.

Einstein came up with the theory of relativity not in his laboratory but while sunbathing on a hillside. Although mathematics is predominantly a left brain activity, he allocated time to relaxing his mind, and advised his students to do likewise. Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Wolfgang Mozart, Walt Disney and other successful thinkers and geniuses employed similar techniques. Our aim naturally is to produce alpha frequencies while fully alert. A state of alpha induced with mind dynamic methods does not put one to sleep, on the contrary, it confers a whole spectrum of benefits.