Right Brain/Left Brain....

So anyway....about the stuff God somehow put together in my mind. On the same internet journey I found the Tool lyrics, I also read some random sites about Eckhart and "tapping into" the stillness within. To me, that translates to the christ within. As I was going here and there this morning....I came upon some web sites that discussed the two hemispheres of the brain....right brain left brain.

In an article in Common Ground Magazine, I was reminded of the story of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s experience. The article said that she

......has inspired thousands of people. At 37-years-old, this young brain scientist suffered a stroke and watched the entire process, including a deep immersion in the realm of the right hemisphere of the brain. While the right and left hemispheres of the brain do work together, they do so with enough distinction that when Jill’s left brain shut down during her stroke, she experienced blissful silence, and had an awareness of the whole, of the one ocean of energy. She said it was Nirvana.

The article begins with the following quote...

How many brain scientists have been able to study the brain from the inside out? I’ve gotten as much out of this experience of losing my left mind as I have in my entire academic career. – Jill Bolte Taylor

On Oprah's website, you will find a series of four webcasts where Dr. Bolte tells about her experiences.

So as I continued to cruise around, reading some of the third eye websites, I discovered that some traditions believe the third eye is the pineal gland. The pineal gland is located deep in the middle of the brain, between the left and right hemispheres. That intrigues me. Could this somewhat mysterious gland be an inactive link between the two sides of the brain? Wikipedia says

Some, including Rick Strassman, have suggested that the third eye is in fact the partially dormant pineal gland, which resides between the two hemispheres of the brain. This concept is supported by the pinealocytes, one type of cells within the pineal gland, having a strong resemblance to the photoreceptors of the eye. Additionally, the pineal gland is said to excrete dimethyltryptamine (DMT) which some think induces dreams, near-death experiences, meditation, or hallucinations. Various types of lower vertebrates, such as reptiles and amphibians, can actually sense light via a third parietal eye—a structure associated with the pineal gland—which serves to regulate their circadian rhythms.

The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin, which has a role in regulating the body's circadian rhythm to the daily light/dark cycle and also assists with the immune system. Because of all the above, the pineal gland has become for some the subject of speculation about its origin as a physical third eye.

Another website called Crystalinks says the following:

The pineal gland was the last endocrine gland to have its function discovered. Its location deep in the brain seemed to indicate its importance. This combination led to its being a "mystery" gland with myth, superstition and even metaphysical theories surrounding its perceived function.

The pineal gland is occasionally associated with the sixth chakra (also called Ajna or the third eye chakra in yoga). It is believed by some to be a dormant organ that can be awakened to enable "telepathic" communication.

In the physical body the eye views objects upside down. It sends the image of what it observes to the brain which interprets the image and makes it appear right side-up to us.

But the human body has another physical eye whose function has long been recognized by humanity. It is called the 'Third Eye' which in reality is the Pineal Gland. It is long thought to have mystical powers. Many consider it the Spiritual Third Eye, our Inner Vision.

Yes, I know this sounds a bit on the New Age side of things. Not to worry....I have no intention of hanging crystals throughout my house...or doing any of the other things commonly associated with New Age.

And I've rambled too long and will continue with this line of thought in my next post. Hey...another series begins!!!!