Thread: Left vs. Right: The Eternal Struggle

As a rule, people who favor the left side of their brain are more analytical and precise while those who favor the right tend to gravitate towards more qualitative venues. Does anyone have any insight on how a person's mental predisposition affects his or her ability to dream lucidly and the depth of said dreams?

well, i think the whole left-right brain thing is mostly a popular misconception with a tinge of validity.

it seems that certain general traits, or modes of perception are common to most lucid dreamers.

-a predilection for self-examination
- the ability to 'visualise' to some degree
-an openess to the unknown

We'z a special bunch, ain't we'z?

Beware all theories that make two groups and try to fit everyone in them. Truth is, people are unique, and right- or left-sided are just catagories that will only ever apply to the average human, never to an individual. Everyone is an exception to some degree.

I agree with Asher, it is better to look for general traits exhibited in all lucid dreamers, rather than try to say whether this or that half of the population is better suited for LD'ing.

Originally posted by Asher
well, i think the whole left-right brain thing is mostly a popular misconception with a tinge of validity.

Still, it might prove interesting to gather a group of individuals, administer one of the classic left/right brain tests, and then conduct a dream study.

I know that the Surat Shabd Yoga People -- who meditate on the sound one hears in one's head -- recommend only listening to the Right Side.

The Right Side is more holistic and more likely to give one experiences that represent complete pictures, synthetic chunks of integrated knowledge.

However, unless one can turn on the left side of the brain at least a little bit, one will be unable to vocalize in words regarding the content of a Right Brain Experience.

We hear in the Literature of Mysticism regarding 'ineffable' experiences. Well, an 'ineffable' experience is one that is entirely from the Right Side. One knows that one experienced something, and the experience could well approach absolute proportions, shaking one to the foundation of one's being, but, if the left side of the brain was left totally disengaged, then what will remain absent are any linear concepts that one could find words to express.

Perhaps this defines the difference between a Mystic and a Prophet -- that the Prophet has enough left brain participation to give some conceptual definition to an experience that remains purely ineffable to the Mystic.

Originally posted by Leo Volont
Perhaps this defines the difference between a Mystic and a Prophet -- that the Prophet has enough left brain participation to give some conceptual definition to an experience that remains purely ineffable to the Mystic.

Very insightful. I never thought about it that way. As time moves forward, I am moving from my original left brained state into more of a right bias as defined per some of the tests I've been taking. I have to admit; I do feel much different than I did say a few years ago--more open minded, creative, and detached from reality. The change was self-imposed so anyone who says it isn't possible to make the switch is wrong. It's something one has to truly have the desire to do.

Being analytical and logical left me feeling extremely empty spiritually, which is odd because during that time I considered myself to be agnostic and by definition, an agnostic typically ignores the more "supernatural" elements of life. It's not that they disbelieve, they just have better things to focus on. When I had one of those life changing epiphanies you always hear about people having that move them into a more spiritual state of being, I believe that was the moment that I made a conscious effort to change the way my mind operated.

Originally posted by Muezza


... The change was self-imposed so anyone who says it isn't possible to make the switch is wrong. It's something one has to truly have the desire to do....

Oh, yes, people are often wrong about what they suppose one has no control over. For instance, when I was into amateur competitive running (10K's, Marathons, etc) it was likewise asserted that one could not control one's basic gait -- that if one was pronating then that was that, or if one was hitting hard on the arches then that would be the inevitable problem. Well, it turned out that I was subject to pronating, that is, that my stride would collapse in to the inside of my foot too much to be optimum. The 'fix' would have been to use support wedges in the shoe to keep the inside of my foot up... but that would add weight to the shoes, and weight slows one down. So I thought why not just consciously run so I keep more on the center of the foot. And it worked. After about a couple hundred miles of running consciously to re-establish one's 'natural' stride, one can change things a bit -- build up new muscles. One shouldn't run on one's bones anyway, but should float on the strength of one's muscles.

So, in the same way I suppose one can redirect how one applies one's thoughts. Do you want to sit around and analytically go over linear thoughts or whistle a happy tune and daydream holistic fantacies?

Originally posted by Muezza


Still, it might prove interesting to gather a group of individuals, administer one of the classic left/right brain tests, and then conduct a dream study.

certainly... would love to see the results.

Originally posted by Muezza


Very insightful. I never thought about it that way. As time moves forward, I am moving from my original left brained state into more of a right bias as defined per some of the tests I've been taking. I have to admit; I do feel much different than I did say a few years ago--more open minded, creative, and detached from reality. The change was self-imposed so anyone who says it isn't possible to make the switch is wrong. It's something one has to truly have the desire to do.

Being analytical and logical left me feeling extremely empty spiritually, which is odd because during that time I considered myself to be agnostic and by definition, an agnostic typically ignores the more \"supernatural\" elements of life. It's not that they disbelieve, they just have better things to focus on. When I had one of those life changing epiphanies you always hear about people having that move them into a more spiritual state of being, I believe that was the moment that I made a conscious effort to change the way my mind operated.

it is interesting you would say this. i was always imaginative, creative, and rather 'spacey' as a child, spending most of my time in phantasy and imagination. i also had many strongly felt spiritual inclinations i could not pin-point, categorize, or displace.

the last four or five years i have made a steady, conscious effort to develop the logical and analytical aspects of my intellect. in the same way being bound by logic left you feeling empty, being subject to vapourous feelings and intuitions i could not define left me feeling empty.

more and more i realize that balance is most often the most beneficial course of action. i wish you luck as you integrate previously neglected fragments of your self.

namaste

I got in here thinking there would be some political talk lol