There is vast scientific evidence supporting what Eastern medicine has known for centuries: our thoughts and emotions flow through energy circuits, influencing memory, chemistry, and overall well-being. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a modern technique built upon these foundations, proving how trauma loops within the limbic system can create persistent patterns that shape our thoughts, reactions, and behaviors.
Dr. Francine Shapiro's groundbreaking work in EMDR has shown that we can reprocess these patterns and release their emotional charge by engaging both brain hemispheres. However, this isn't new knowledge—it stands on the shoulders of earlier discoveries. Dr. Roger Sperry, alongside his colleagues like Dr. Ron Mendelson, studied how the brain's hemispheres function differently, earning Sperry a Nobel Prize. These studies proved that when communication between hemispheres is disrupted, our ability to integrate information is impaired.
Betty Edwards further explored that engaging the brain's right hemisphere enhances creativity and perception in Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. She demonstrated that anyone can learn to draw if they shift from a linear, analytical mindset to a more fluid, intuitive one—something I experienced when I took up drawing myself.
Reflection Questions
- Have you ever noticed yourself stuck in a recurring emotional pattern? What triggers it?
- Do you tend to overanalyze or trust your intuition when faced with a challenge?
- What activity—art, music, movement—helps you shift into a more fluid, creative mind?
Exercise: Seeing Beyond the Surface
This exercise helps shift the mind from a rigid, left-brain analysis to a more intuitive, right-brain perspective.
Option 1: The Crumpled Tissue Exercise
- Take a tissue, crumple it, and place it on your desk or any surface.
- Pick one line of the crumpled mess and focus only on that line.
- Draw that single line while continuing to observe it closely.
- Move on to another line, never drawing what you "think" it should look like—just following what you see.
- When finished, step back and observe how the seemingly chaotic mess has taken form.
Option 2: The Upside-Down Drawing
- Choose a picture you like—perhaps a flower or a familiar face.
- Turn the picture upside down.
- Instead of drawing the whole image, focus only on one line at a time.
- Focus on copying only the line you see rather than thinking about the picture.
- When done, turn your drawing around and observe the difference in perspective.
The Power of Playful Creativity
Whether you're drawing, moving to music, or engaging in any other playful, joyful, creative expression, know that the right side of the brain can produce either fear or joy—the key turns the engine of our lives. We unconsciously create fear when we do not consciously enjoy a creative endeavor.
For instance, I love writing these newsletters because they allow me to connect more dots by focusing on an idea and then elaborating on it. This process engages my brain's right and left hemispheres, blending intuition with logic and creativity with structure.
What new endeavor can you play with?
Could you dance in your kitchen for the joy of it? Paint with colors that make no sense but feel right? Write a story that only you will read. Play with sound, movement, or rhythm in a way you've never tried.
Conclusion: Integrating Both Sides of You
We are not just logic or emotion, analysis or intuition—we are both. Healing and growth are possible when we learn to work with all aspects of ourselves. Whether through techniques like EMDR, creative practices, or simply recognizing our patterns, we can reshape our experience.
So why not take all of you? Embrace the full spectrum of your mind, emotions, and unique way of experiencing the world.
Blessings on your journey,
Nancy Orlen Weber
