RIGHT BRAIN-LEFT BRAIN

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

It is important to understand a bit about how the brain works in relation to the processing of our daily experiences. Mental pictures are stored in the right side of the brain; whereas the left side of the brain is the part that interprets those mental pictures. Because we are a species that verbally communicates, we give words (language) to these random images, and can use words, at a later date, to evoke the mental pictures that are neatly tucked away. This process is so powerful it is possible that with the recall of images, we can also evoke the experience of feelings, and have a stream of visual association develop with which to work.

The left and right hemispheres of the brain have very different functions. In very simple terms, one function of the left brain is that of verbal language or use of words: to analyze, categorize, and judge all of the experiences that fill our lives. It is linear and logical and often reinterprets, alters, or denies the truth of what really happened. Although the use of words can evoke feelings, it is really only capable of expressing what we “think” we feel, while the deepest real feelings go often go unnoticed and unexpressed.

The right brain on the other hand is responsible for nonverbal, visual, spatial, perceptual information, intuition, creativity, and the relational thinking. When we have inner conflict we have to tap into the language of the right brain, which includes imagery. Imagery is the body-mind inner language. Using image to express what our body-mind is trying to say, bypasses the analytical thought process, so we can become fully present to how the body is experiencing our feelings; rather than listening to the mind’s version of feelings. It is in the body-experience of feeling that the release and healing take place.

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