Something Worth Thinking About!

I am reading a fascinating book titled Which Side of Your Brain Am I Talking To?—in which the author Boyé Lafayette De Mente says it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that there are basic differences in the functioning of the left and right sides of the brain. Which side of the brain is engaged at specific times depends on the first language one learns as a child, the culture in which one is reared and sexual gender.

The author, a recognized international cultural expert, concludes that these factors predetermine whether a person’s subsequent mind-set will be to either approach life from a logical and rational viewpoint (left-brain) or a purely emotional one (right-brain), and only later, hopefully, will the person be able to come around or be brought to a rational position.

This may not be news to some of you, but I was stunned to learn that the majority of people in the world do not use the same thinking processes that we do in our Western culture. The first thing I thought of was the obvious impact this has on international relations, and the fact that our nation experiences such tremendous challenges around the world with the way in which every act or inaction is perceived.

I have known for some time that in Western culture the way in which we learn to understand ourselves, others and the world around us is by a logical approach of comparing, categorizing and using a linear method of understanding situations and events in terms of cause and effect. The challenge is when we compare – we get into judging ourselves and others – and when we judge this separates us, which keeps us in fear, with no hope of closeness or understanding.

I remember in childhood comparing myself to my friends and always coming up holding the short end of the stick. In each instance it resulted in a damaging blow to my tender sense of self, lowered my self esteem and caused me to draw within. As I matured I realized that there would always be someone who was better looking, smarter, richer and more successful. I knew that intellectually, but thinking habits of a lifetime are difficult to overcome. Now at least I am aware of this shared cultural tendency, which can prevent us from fulfilling our dreams and destiny as individuals and as a nation.

The United States is the greatest power in the world, but instead of being thought of as the benevolent protector of the weak and downtrodden, which is our philosophical intention – not always fully realized – we are perceived by many as a power-hungry bully.

I have to think that somewhere in Washington’s diplomatic corps there is awareness of the vital importance of cultural differences in all aspects, including thinking processes. I have to think this to keep hope in my heart.

For myself, while I haven’t been able to break free from the judging aspect of my inherited thought process, I am getting better. Now, when I see an intellectually aware, confident, successful human being, especially a bestselling author, like Boyé De Mente, I simply think—Thanks for showing me the way.

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Copyright 2007 by Fern Stewart Welch

The author's book, THE HEART KNOWS THE WAY -- How to Follow Your Heart to a Conscious Connection with the Divine Spirit Within, is available from Amazon.com, other online booksellers, and through major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.