FLOW PSYCHOLOGY

Source:An insight into a genius’ mind

Since the dawn of civilization, mankind have shrived to understand and increase the power of the mind. Geniuses like Mozart, Einstein and Da Vinci have amazed and baffled mankind. Are they simply blessed with divine talents or do they possess some secret knowledge?

The workings of the brain and how it processes information has always intrigued scientists and specialists. To gain an insight into that process, a group of specialists at a University in Japan invited the famous Japanese International Chess player Mr Yoshiharu Habu to conduct an interesting experiment.He is the undisputed champion of Shogi (a complex game which is the Japanese equivalent of chess),and a widely acclaimed genius and a top celebrity in Japan.

In this experiment, the specialists used an electroencephalograph, a special kind of equipment that monitors brainwave activity, which would indicate the part of the brain that is used when performing certain tasks and can be observed on a computer monitor. Usually, when playing the game of chess, a normal person would think with his left brain using logic to plan his next few moves. But in the case of Mr Habu, the specialists made an amazing discovery that showed other wise.

Mr Habu’s brainwave graph, on the contrary, showed that he had used his right brain most of the time before eventually switching to his left brain just before he made his move. Upon further investigations using the electroencephalograph, the specialists finally determined that Mr Habu had first used the right brain’s cognitive images and spatial orientation to think and plan, and subsequently switched to the left brain for logical linguistic confirmation before making his move on the chess board.

This important discovery led the specialists to carry out further studies and experimentation with a wider selection of gifted individuals, and the results were astounding. It has been shown that, as in Mr Habu’s case, the cognitive process for most gifted persons is in fact right brain oriented. They tend to utilize the right brain’s unique spatial awareness and mental images to think and create, while the normal person uses the left brain to process information in a logical and sequential manner.

Interestingly, Yoshiharu Habu’s remark seemed to concur with the findings, as he said, ” Most chess players’ vision seems to be darting around the chess board while studying the various moves…. but for me, I would just take a glance focusing on the centre of the board, and all the possible moves would just materialize in my head where I plan my advances…. the accuracy is almost 100%.” Amazing indeed, these geniuses simply have the ability to think out of the box by utilizing the vast untapped potential of the right brain to combine with the skills of the left. Unfortunately, most of us go through life without even touching the immense power that is already in us!

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