The Readers Blog is a group blog, a collection of provocative, passionate people who represent a broad geographical, professional, personal and vocational range. New bloggers from other places and other points of view will join the conversation from time to time. Here, we invite them all to share their perspectives and opinions on the issues that matter to them most. And we invite you to respond. Let the dialogue begin!


Step to the right for peace

The email was innocent enough. Sent by a well-meaning and always interesting friend, I opened it. Here is part of his text to me . . .

Hi Friends,

I just saw this and thought you would find it as engaging and inspiring as I did:

www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/229

This is a presentation by neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor, who had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. Most importantly, this is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Okay, I said. It

posted by Susan Corso on 3/16/2008 11:59 pm | COMMENTS (3)
Comments (3)

I read "My Stroke of Insight" in one sitting - I couldn't put it down. I laughed. I cried. It was a fantastic book (I heard it's a NYTimes Bestseller and I can see why!), but I also think it will be the start of a new, transformative Movement! No one wants to have a stroke as Jill Bolte Taylor did, but her experience can teach us all how to live better lives. Her TED.com speech was one of the most incredibly moving, stimulating, wonderful videos I've ever seen. Her Oprah Soul Series interviews were fascinating. They should make a movie of her life so everyone sees it. This is the Real Deal and gives me hope for humanity.

posted by Baili on 6/ 2/2008 5:19 am

I recommend Amazon as the place to get Jill Bolte Taylor's book MY STROKE OF INSIGHT because they have a wonderful interview with her on Amazon that offers new content I haven't seen anywhere else - that link is: www.amazon.com/My-Stroke-Insight-Scientists-Personal/dp/0670020745/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211471755&sr=1-2

The book is an absolutely wonderful journey by a brain scientist who suffered a stroke. She recovered fully, back to teaching at Medical School no less (and she gives great tips on how and what to do to recover from a Stroke or help others recover).

Dr Taylor also learned to fully be present in the part of the brain/mind where we experience full inner peace and Nirvana. SHe teaches that too, and that's why everyone should read this book.

This story is as inspiring as The Last Lecture or Tuesdays with Morrie - and it has a Happy Ending!

posted by Adela on 5/23/2008 10:32 pm

This video was amazing! What a gift to be given this 'stroke of insight.'

Very interesting too. When she was talking about the characteristics of each side of the brain it reminded me of the teachings of yoga and meditation. In practice, you are told to quiet the mind to find peace. In fact, the ultimate goal is to reach a state of Nirvana. So maybe we are really trying to tell our left side of the brain to shut up for a second so we can delve more deeply into the right side of the brain. And maybe when we are talking about 'finding balance in life' it really means that we are trying to find balance between the left and right sides of our brain so that we are comfortable in our individual state as well as our euphoric energy state.

So which side would you choose?

It's interesting to read the comments that some have posted on the TED site: www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/229

posted by katiek on 3/17/2008 12:13 am

Post a comment

You must be a registered user to comment. If you are already registered Click here to login or Click here for our fast, free registration.



YES! Please enter my 1 year subscription (10 issues) to Ode magazine and bill me later at the low rate of only $29.95 - a savings of 40% off the regular price! As a part of my paid subscription, Ode will plant a tree to help stop global warming. If I am ever dissatisfied, I can cancel at any time and receive a refund on all unmailed issues.
Offer good for new subscribers only. Offer good in U.S. only. Overseas subscribers please click here. Newsstand price is $4.95 per issue. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for mailing of first issue. Subscribers: If the Post Office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within two years.
Ode Privacy Policy.